Benalla racing tips & value bets – Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Spring is here and midweek racing resumes at Benalla on a Good 4 for the first time since April 18. The rail will be set in the true position for Tuesday’s nine-race card, which offers some opportunities to build the wallet ahead of the Bendigo meeting on Wednesday.
Free betting tips for Benalla
Takatoka @ $1.60 Sportsbet
A maiden over 2046m was shaping as battle between in-form geldings Slipintothis (#2) and Takatoka (#3), but the former’s scratching leaves the latter as a short-priced favourite. He looks well placed in this race after returning from a spell with placings in all three of his spaced-out runs. Former Hong Kong galloper Wonderful Day (#4) impressed last start, and Run The Show (#1) was given every chance when second to Snowplough at Bendigo 10 days ago.
Rock Of Kryptonite @ $2.40 Sportsbet
Almost half the field are having their first start at the races, with a majority of them most likely to be seen in the ‘also ran’ section. The one who seems to be well backed so far is Captain Spud (#2), who won a jumpout at Caulfield quite impressively. The one to beat, however, is Rock Of Kryptonite (#7), who was well in the market in Listed and Group races during his two-year-old campaign. He may prove too classy for this lot, as Mick Price holds a Caulfield Guineas nomination for the colt. He found one better in Unblushing last start and will be all the better for the run. The Godolphin gelding Favell (#4) has genuine claims despite only being moderate first up at Geelong.
Bombay Rocket @ $8 Sportsbet
This is a wide-open race, paying $6 the field. If the Chris Waller-trained filly Star Project (#15) can get a start, she could dictate terms up front and prove too hard to catch after easily winning a Flemington jumpout. If the filly cannot gain a run, first starter Jeehaan (#5) has plenty of admirers so far in early markets and will be one to watch on debut. But with race fitness on her side and Lachie Neindorf on board, Bombay Rocket (#2) may prove hard to get past if her second-up run is anything to go by. The 1000m at Pakenham was a touch sharp, so the slight rise in trip will suit.
Tell Me Again @ $3.30 Sportsbet
One of the better bets on the card comes up in Race 4 over 1406m, where Tell Me Again (#13) looks a great chance for the Phillip Stokes yard. If he brings the form he showed first up where he was blocked for a run at a crucial point and still only went down by 1.5L, he will be hard to hold out. Giottino (#3), Moving Day (#8) and Anthemic (#10) have all run into handy ones in recent starts and will be better off third up here.
Azaly @ $2.15 – BEST BET Sportsbet
If Tell Me Again gets the job done in the previous race, we can pile into the best bet on the card in Azaly (#10). The Caulfield Guineas nominee was heavily in the market at Randwick last start in the Listed Fernhill Handicap and was far from disgraced. You would think if he brought that form here, not much from this field will prove difficult to overcome. Pure Purgatory (#8) has been impressive with three consecutive placings to begin his career and will appreciate coming back to a firmer surface. First starters Star Stock (#12) and Wisaka (#13) are ones to watch if they get a start.
Jet Jackson @ $31/$8 EW Sportsbet
The first leg of the Benalla quaddie sees Tyche Goddess (#12) as favourite, but she has drawn wide and could be scratched with Wednesday’s Class 1 at Bendigo in mind. If she does run, she is a must have in the quaddie; otherwise, there is some value to be found. Jet Jackson (#6) has raced impressively here in the past and seems over the odds, although he was well beaten last start and will appreciate the drop in grade. Saint Peter (#1), Kaarchi (#5) and Ordell (#10) are all ones to place in quaddies.
Look Sharpish @ $3.20 Sportsbet
We were with Look Sharpish (#9) last start at Sandown when resuming. Although he ran last in a nine-horse field, the quick backup and extra 300m is certainly a positive, even if she may want a little further. Joyous Gard (#6) showed good race nous on debut when scoring at Tatura on a Heavy 9 and stays at the 1600m range on a Good 4 here. Contrition (#4), 7 Kipketer (#7) and Storm’s Colours (#14) have shown promise and may prove a knockout chance.
Quiet Lucky @ $6.50 Sportsbet
The penultimate race on the card sees a wide-open market at $5 the field and seems a hard race to get a grasp on. Quiet Lucky (#13) gets a start with Johnny Allen on board and will take advantage of running on a firmer track for the first time since April, when beaten 2L despite having no room along the rails. That horse broke through two starts ago and followed it up when beaten under a length last start at Warrnambool. Sly Samba Deer (#5), Smokin Salmon (#6), It’s A Rah (#8), Mamelon (#9) and Kissee Mee (#11) all go in the quaddie for the hardest race on the card.
Sir Harald @ $7 Sportsbet
Sir Harald (#1) resumes in the last race of the day and finds himself on top at decent odds. He has a handy record on good surfaces and won first up last campaign, while he will appreciate the drop in grade. Sig Positano (#2) and Thunderbolt Two (#5) both find themselves in quaddie selections and will prove tough competition for the top selection.
Leg 1: 1-5-6-10-12
Leg 2: 4-6-7-9-14
Leg 3: 5-6-8-9-11-13
Leg 4: 1-2-5
$450 for 100% Sportsbet