Alice Springs race tips and best bets | NT Preview 14/10
| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Alice Springs – Pioneer Park South, Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, October 14, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:42pm ACST |
It’s a big day for the Alice Springs Turf Club, who host a five-race meeting at Pioneer Park before staging their 2022/23 presentation night. A total of 36 horses have accepted, and although each-way betting will only apply in two races there will still be an air of unpredictability. The feature race is a $24,500 open benchmark handicap over 1600m as the Paul Gardner-trained Quick Return attempts to make it four straight wins. It has been hot in the Red Centre of late, but sunny and pleasant conditions are forecast on race day with light south-easterly winds and a top of 29C. The rail will be in the true position and as usual Pioneer Park will be a good dirt surface.
Best Bet: Flying Yishu
Flying Yishu is spotting his rivals 4kg, but in a race with just six runners, the four-year-old gelding should prove too classy. The son of Flying Artie had six starts over an eight-month period for Geelong trainer Alisa Hinch where he finished second in two 1406m Benalla maidens before coming third in a 1200m Echuca maiden. Debuting in the Red Centre on July 16, Flying Yishu proved too good in an 1100m maiden. Two weeks later, he snuck home over 1400m at Class 2 level from handy duo Lastar and Quizzle. After missing the start on August 25 over 1200m in another Class 2 race, the former Victorian galloper finished strongly to finish second by 0.4 lengths at the hands of Square Cut.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#1 Flying Yishu (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Dan Morgan (60.5kg)
Next Best: Boy Big
The former Victorian, Boy Big, had eight starts in Alice Springs before finally getting the cash over 1100m (BM54) on July 16. In his defence, the son of Vancouver wasn’t all that far away, with four thirds and three fourths for former trainer Jess Gleeson and current trainer Dan Morgan. It was in fact Morgan who decided to sack himself as Boy Big’s rider, and the decision has only reaped dividends. Following that first-up win at Pioneer Park, the six-year-old gelding finished third over 1200m (BM54) on August 12. A fortnight later, Boy Big proved far too good for his rivals over 1100m (0-58) when he prevailed by 3.3 lengths. The competition isn’t that bad on Saturday, but his form suggests he’ll prove hard to beat.
Next Best
Race 2 – 
#1 Boy Big (7)
6yo Gelding | T: Dan Morgan | J: Emma Lines (a2) (61.5kg)
Next Best Again: Omoplata
In an open race, little should separate Omoplata, Typically Brazen, Excuses Excuses, Lisa and Sweet As Scandi. Omaplata arrived at Lisa Whittle’s stable in late 2021 and won on debut in an 1100m maiden before posting three seconds and a third in his next six starts. From June 2022-March 2023, the five-year-old gelding failed in five starts at Darwin and SA before returning to the Alice. A first up seventh behind Square Cut over 1200m (Class 2) in August was followed by two seconds over 1200m (0-58) in September. Has drawn another wide gate, but More Than Ready’s son is a chance after storming home to finish two lengths adrift of Quick Return two weeks ago over 1200m (BM54).
Next Best Again
Race 1 – 
#5 Omoplata (10)
5yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Logan (56kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Alice Springs races
Alice Springs quadrella selections
Saturday, October 14, 2023
- 1-2-4-6
- 1
- 1-2
- 1-2-3-5