Alice Springs race-by-race tips & value bets | Saturday 20/8/2022

Alice Springs preview

What Alice Springs Races
Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870
When Saturday, August 20, 2022
First Race 2:37pm ACST

Alice Springs Turf Club will host a five-race card on Saturday, August 20. Northern Territory specialist David White brings you his race-by-race betting preview along with free tips and the best odds available. First race is set to commence 2:37pm local time.

Race 1 (2.37pm) – $18,500 Ladbrokes Bet Ticker 0-64 Handicap (1200m)

Like A Heartbeat performed with distinction in 14 starts in South Australia with three wins, a second, two thirds, two fourths and a fifth before making his NT debut on Darwin Cup Day on the first Monday of August 2021. The six-year-old gelding failed to make an impression in his two starts at Fannie Bay and, to be fair, his next two starts in Alice Springs left a lot to be desired. However, Like A Heartbeat’s next 16 starts at Pioneer Park since last October have resulted in four wins, five seconds, two thirds, three fourths and a fifth, so it’s clear he thrives in the Red Centre. His last win was over 1000m (0-70) on June 5 and he was placed in two of his next three races before a last-start third over 1100m (0-64) on August 6. The only danger in the five-horse field appears to be Elmore Lad, who is returning to Victoria after a solid Darwin Cup Carnival campaign. That includes a last-start win over 1200m (0-62) on July 27. It’s hard to see Toffiato, King Crab and Hard Work Rewards winning, so the battle for third place will prove intriguing.

Best Bet

Race 1 – Like A Heartbeat silks#2 Like A Heart Beat (4)

6yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Wiseman (59.5kg)

$2 with Bet365

Race 2 (3.09pm) – $22,000 Daryl Braithwaite September 17 Handicap (1100m)

Glock promised plenty when he arrived in the Red Centre after forging a respectable career in NSW and Queensland, but finished fifth on his Pioneer Park debut on June 19 over 1200m in open company before failing to make an impact a fortnight later when eighth over 1100m (0-76). The six-year-old gelding showed his true colours when he arrived in the Top End for the Darwin Cup Carnival, finishing second over 1100m (0-70) on July 16 before a last-start win in the Montgomerie Lightning (1000m) on August 1. Glock is capable of getting his first win in Alice Springs, but it will be no easy task against what is a strong field. Mighty Murt races well in either the Alice or Darwin, and he can bounce back after a seventh in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) at Fannie Bay. Bar Gem has a good record at Pioneer Park, and although he hasn’t raced since May 1, he also boasts a good first-up record. Cut It Out is a last-start winner over 1100m (0-76) and has a 3kg claim. Roughly, a 10-year-old mare, is aiming for three straight wins. Devil’s Temptation wasn’t doing much wrong before a last-start 11th in the Palmerston on July 30. Cyclonite, Faolan and Kummerlings may not win, but could spring a surprise and finish among the minor placings.

Best Bet

Race 2 – Glock silks#3 Glock (5)

5yo Mare | T: Jess Gleeson | J: Sonja Wiseman (59kg)

$6 with Neds

Race 3 (3.49pm) – $17,500 Aus Projects NT Class 2 Handicap (1100m)

Liberty Blue is still searching for that elusive first win at Pioneer Park and the big question remains as to whether or not he will finally crack it at the 12th attempt. The eight-year-old gelding started his career in South Australia in January 2019 before heading to the Alice in March-April 2021 for three seconds in four starts. It was back to SA before returning to Central Australia in April-May and posting two seconds in four starts. After heading back down south, he made a third visit to the Red Centre for a second and third in July before a last-start second over 1200m (0-54) on August 6. In 51 starts, Liberty Blue has won twice and has finished second 15 times. Will it be stablemate Ananagram, a winner over 1000m (0-58) on July 24 before coming second over 1100m (0-64) on August 6, who spoils the party? Speed Wheel, who broke her maiden status two weeks ago, and Golden Ripples aren’t out of it. Qualis was a last-start third in Darwin. Mackinaw debuts in the NT after winning a Tamworth maiden on July 8.

Best Bet

Race 3 – Liberty Blue silks#6 Liberty Blue (2)

8yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Wiseman (55kg)

$3 with Betfair

Race 4 (4.26pm) – $17,500 Lights N Fanz R Us 0-54 Handicap (1100m)

Rhythmical is unlikely to jump as favourite with online bookmakers, but his form at Pioneer Park over the past 12 months stands up. The nine-year-old gelding has had 46 career starts – 31 in Alice Springs, 11 in Darwin and four in South Australia. Rhythmical had his first start at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day in 2016 and all of his seven wins have been achieved in Red Centre, which also includes nine minor placings. In 11 starts since August 21 last year, he has posted a win, three seconds, three thirds and two fourths before a last-start third over 1200m (0-54) on August 6. In his only other race during that period he lost the rider. A 3kg claim and the inside gate enhances Rhythmical’s prospects. Intercontinental (61kg) won over 1100m (0-54) on July 17 before coming third over 1200m (0-54) a fortnight ago. In July, Harbour Express (58kg) finished first (1100m) and sixth (1200m) at a 0-58 level before a last-start second over 1200m (0-54). Celine returns from a three-month spell and is above average, while Kenneth has impressed in his past three runs.

Best Bet

Race 4 – Rhythmical silks#5 Rhythmical (1)

9yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (57kg)

$5.50 with Unibet

Race 5 (5.00pm) – $19,500 Alice Springs Toyota 0-70 Handicap (1400m)

Fantasy Eagle has hardly done a thing wrong since arriving from NSW, where he had four wins in 20 starts and also finished among the minor placings eight times. The six-year-old gelding’s last race in NSW was on a bog at Hawkesbury on March 24 where he came 10th over 1600m (0-68). Fantasy Eagle debuted in the Alice on May 29 and finished second by the narrowest of margins over 1200m (0-70) before another close second over 1400m (0-64) on June 19. On July 24, he wasn’t that far away in fourth place over 1200m (0-64). A 3kg claim perhaps gives him an edge over the in-form Radio Room (57.5kg), who has only missed a place once in his past seven starts. Radio Room is a huge threat after a win over 1600m (0-64), a second over 1400m (0-70) and a third over 1600m (0-76) since July 17. He finished third behind Fantasy Eagle in that race on May 29. Exonerate can’t be discounted over 1400m at Pioneer Park. Envy Me has finished second in each of his last two starts. Rockford Files and Winter Harbour may find it tough going.

Best Bet

Race 5 – Fantasy Eagle silks#2 Fantasy Eagle (2)

6yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Ianish Luximon (a3)(57.5kg)

$2.15 with Palmerbet

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