Cranbourne night racing form and free tips, Friday April 28
NIGHT racing continues in Victoria this Friday when Cranbourne hosts a quality nine-race card.
There are no major races scheduled, but punters will get the opportunity to invest into some good betting fields and there are some nice up-and-coming types involved.
The meeting starts with the O’Brien Real Estate Maiden where a field only seven lines up, but it should kick the night off with some excitement before a busy weekend of racing.
Race 1 – O’Brien Real Estate Maiden (1000m)
Almighty Moses hasn’t been far away from the prize of late and it looks one of the better betting chances in this race. The Cliff Murray-trained gelding has placed in three of its last four runs, which included a last start third at Sale behind the talented Diapason. Katelyn Mallyon takes the ride and we’re expecting her to go forward and set them up in front.
Castlefield Lass improved with racing last campaign and it shouldn’t be overlooked in this. The Alexander Rae-trained mare finished only seventh on debut, but it quickly improved when running fourth at Moe. That run came on a heavy track, so conditions should suit and it could add some value at odds.
Race 1 tip: Almighty Moses to win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Ivan’s Pies Maiden (1200m)
Antonia has been around the mark in its first three starts to date and a top resuming run is expected. The Robbie Laing-trained mare finished fourth on debut behind Silent Sedition which has subsequently scored at group one level. Its two runs since have been steady and the Irish-bred four-year-old has been patiently handled for this. It hasn’t raced since 2016, but betting will indicate its chances on race day.
Golden Fusaichi has the benefit of experience at Cranbourne and it has been knocking on the door. The Richard Laming-trained mare finished fifth on this track in March before running consecutive second placings in what should be good form races. It ran second behind Diapason last start and we believe that maiden form should sit nicely for this meeting. Expect a tidy effort in a competitive field.
Race 2 tip: Golden Fusaichi to place at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Beraldo Coffee Maiden (1400m)
Justice Honor produced a solid finish to run fifth on debut and there was plenty to like about that showing. The Matt Laurie-trained gelding has been patiently handled and ran as a $21 chance on debut, but that came on this track and that experience will be of great benefit. It has drawn nicely in barrier five for this and the extra distance to 1400m should help its chances.
Lokitin has managed only two placings from 17 starts, but those two placings have come at its last three starts. The Mark Webb-trained gelding ran second at Ballarat three back in April and it finished under two lengths from the winner at Pakenham last start. It’s a five-year-old which could go under the bookmakers’ radar.
Race 3 tip: Justice Honor to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – Highview Accounting Services Maiden (1000m)
Strategic Spin ran second last time out and ran a respectable 1000m time in the process. The Jason Warren-trained gelding ran 58.63 when finishing just under two lengths from the winner and it has been well-supported in two career starts to date. Drawing barrier 12 isn’t going to help its chances of breaking maiden status, but it has the gate speed to overcome adversity.
In A Panic also finished second last start in a much-improved run. The Luke Oliver-trained filly finished a distant fifth on debut as a $9 chance, but its effort for second last start will be encouraging for punters. It has a high profile owner which has had his fair share of success and the punters will likely come for it here. It has drawn wide, but it only needs luck to feature.
Race 4 tip: Strategic Spin to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 5 – Mega Trim Motor Mile (1600m)
Ella is a last start winner which could capitalise against this field. The Laming-trained mare scored a 2.25-length win at Kilmore last start as the $2.70 favourite and we’re expecting bookmakers to offer a similar price for this. The daughter of Reset stepped up to the mile and it paid immediate dividends. Having another run at the mile is ideal and it should go close.
Dry Biscuit has won and placed in two starts on this track and it has been close all campaign. The Michael Ryan-trained gelding scored a 1.75-length win at Cranbourne three starts back and it coped with the rise in class with two solid efforts for fourth. It likes to mix its distances, but the mile should be suitable now and Matthew Allen is a good jockey to have in the saddle.
Race 5 tip: Ella to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Benchmark R64 Handicap (1300m)
Barefoot Tycoon is a locally-trained gelding which scored a narrow win here on debut. The Shea Eden-trained four-year-old followed that up with a fourth placing behind Making Mayhem, but those runs came in the spring of last year and it hasn’t been seen since. The nicely-bred son of Written Tycoon should show speed in this state and the betting will indicate its winning chances.
Bon Dancer looks a talented type on the way up. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare scored a win at Geelong in May last year before running a couple of disappointing races at Bendigo this campaign. It should strip fitter with those runs under its belt and Maher knows how to place his horses. Apprentice jockey Ben Thompson will need to ride it well from the tricky barrier draw of eight, but respect its ability.
Race 6 tip: Bon Dancer to place at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Browns Sawdust & Shavings Handicap (1200m)
Turf Beauty looked above average when winning on debut and it looks well-placed for this. The Tony Noonan-trained filly scored by 1.5 lengths on a heavy track and a slight upgrade in conditions shouldn’t do it any harm. The three-year-old should be well-favoured with punters and we’re expecting a single-figure price to be available with bookmakers.
Fawaareq is in the right stable to continue its progression after winning on debut. The Lindsay Park-trained filly scored its debut win on this track earlier this month by finishing over the top of the leaders after getting a nice run in transit. The nicely-bred daughter of Lonhro has drawn well in barrier five and despite the rise in weight, it should progress through the grades nicely.
Race 7 tip: Fawaareq to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 8 – Are You In R58 Handicap (1200m)
Howling Wolf is a seven-time winner which hasn’t been far away of late. The six-year-old finished fourth last time out on a heavy track and it is a past winner on this track. It has had three wins at this distance and the rise back up to the 1200m should be ideal. It will likely be a long shot chance in the betting, but it could provide punters with some value.
Old Farm Road is running out of chances, but the Busuttin/Young-trained gelding shouldn’t be discounted. The three-year-old is a former Kiwi runner which finished second two starts back, but there was little excuse for its effort when ninth last start at Pakenham. It could bounce back quickly and it usually runs its best races at this distance.
Race 8 tip: Howling Wolf to place at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 9 – Procon Developments Sky Heights Stayers (2520m)
Rock Away scored back-to-back wins before running seventh on this track last start. The Rachael Cunningham-trained mare hasn’t been able to run well at Cranbourne in the past, but the rise up in distance should help its chances and it has form on all track surfaces. There isn’t much flat-race form here, so consider it as an each way hope.
Music To Midnight is a locally-trained gelding for Ken Keys which ran well for fourth at Bendigo last start. The six-year-old has placed on this track from four starts and it has placed twice at this distance from three starts. That helps over the extreme staying distance and it should be around the mark.
Race 9 tip: Rock Away to win at Bet365.com