Gore Betting Guide

by Jonny Turner

Gore Christmas Trots Horses To Follow

Race 1

Trial form looks like a key ingredient when assessing the form for today’s opener.

Wudabubbit has trialled well in Canterbury recently and looks well-placed for a bold debut.

Courtney May has recently moved to Southland, and she showed she was on track for a big effort when winning a recent workout.

Get Along is another that has recently moved to a new stable. It might just be the spark the trotter needs to improve his solid form.

Without Comparison produced her best recent effort with a nice last-start third; she’s an improver that deserves to be considered.

Selections: Wudabubbit (5), Courtney May (9), Get Along (3), Without Comparison (12)

Suggested Bet: Wudabubbit – Eachway 

Race 2

A tough last-start effort shows Baltic Star is ready to take advantage of landing in a suitable race today.

The local pacer hasn’t landed the best draw, but there was enough merit in her last-start 6th to have faith in her.

Miki’s Beauty has taken on tougher fields than this, and she looks a royal winning chance from a sweet draw.

Rosie Richter is another who looks suited to taking on this kind of race; consider her each way.

Chemmy raced at the recent Invercargill meeting, so check that form.

But on her prior trial runs, she looks a top 4 threat.

Selections: Baltic Star (10), Miki's Beauty (2), Rosie Richter (7), Chemmy (5)

Suggested Bet: Miki’s Beauty – Eachway  

Race 3

 Trial form, again, looks key in this even maiden contest.

Sky Fawkes ran a handy first-up fourth, but a recent workout at Winton showed she was ready to run a bigger race today.

Sweet Star Of Mine must be respected; the Nathan Williamson stable has been on fire lately, and she has trialled nicely ahead of her debut.

First Light is another who has trialled well recently following a nice debut 5th in a strong field; include her.

Sidorova has shown talent, and she’s yet another to have trialled well recently.

Consider Spectator and Aquila next.

Selections: Sky Fawkes (1), Sweet Star Of Mine (6), First Light (7), Sidorova (12)

Suggested Bet: Sky Fawkes – Eachway  

Race 4

In a continuing theme, recent trial performances look like a strong pointer for this race.

I’ll Be Back has shown nice speed in his recent outings, and he looks poised for a big debut.

Barrier 8 won’t be easy, but he has shown enough promise to be very competitive.

Trail Boss comes into race 4 following a strong last-start 2nd, chasing home a promising horse.

Montage drops in grade after taking on stronger fields; he looks like an each-way threat.

From a sweet draw, Ballygar looks like he can get amongst it; he has trialled nicely in Canterbury recently.

Selections: I'll Be Back (8), Trail Boss (7), Montage (6), Ballygar (2)

Suggested Bet: I'll Be Back – Eachway  

Race 5

Think trotting, think Williamson, and if there is ever an example of that, it is this race.

Sheza Gift has shown plenty of talent in her career, and a recent trial win showed she’s ready for a big return to racing.

Her stablemate, Our Pinocchio, has been a little disappointing lately, but he looks well-placed in this lineup to kick his form back into gear.

Dwindle Star is a very honest and reliable type; she’s likely to be up on the speed, giving you a good run for your money.

Kenny’s Charm drops back from top-level racing; consider her with Jordan Anne and Night Watch next.

Selections: Sheza Gift (18), Our Pinocchio (17), Dwindle Star (6), Kenny's Charm (15)

Suggested Bet: Dwindle Star – Eachway  

Gore Christmas Trots Horses To Follow – Race 6

Class should rise to the top in today’s three-year-old feature.

Da Vinci is the class horse of the field, having won impressively and taken on good races prior.

With his kind of speed, he could settle anywhere and steam home to win.

Watermelon Sugar is in a similar spot; having raced top classes in recent starts, he’s a big winning threat.

As is Rakamurph, who should strip near his peak after returning from a spell.

Sea Fury steps up in class, but his last start second behind Da Vinci showed he can mix it in this company.

Selections: Da Vinci (6), Watermelon Sugar (7), Rakamurph (9), Sea Fury (4)

Suggested Bet: Da Vinci – Win   

Race 7

Race 7 offers punters the most even betting contest, featuring an array of each-way chances.

Get Kracken was an OK race in his recent 5th at Wingatui, with the key being how much fitter he will strip following that run.

I'm Watching You is a very honest type likely to give his backers a good run for their money from a good draw.

Robyn's Shadow can be a little hot and cold, but his recent runs have been solid, making him an each-way threat.

Timbimboo has shown enough talent in the past to win this race, but his recent form is patchy. He looks worth considering from a handy draw.

Consider Sherwood Maggie and Southern Starr next.

Selections: Get Kraken (7), I'm Watching You (4), Robyns Shadow (10), Timbimboo (3)

Suggested Bet: I’m Watching You – Eachway  

Race 8

The form from the recent Invercargill Cup meeting will be well worth checking out before placing your bets on today’s trotting cup.

Love N The Port, Aveross Majesty, and Hidden Talent each clashed in Group Three last week, which will be a big pointer toward their chances.

Love N The Port drops significantly in class for this race after racing in Group One company.

Aveross Majesty is in great form, and his handicap makes him a serious each-way threat.

Hidden Talent hasn’t been at her absolute peak lately, but she definitely has the motor to win.

Consider Andy Hall next; he’s an honest campaigner that can fill a Trifecta or First4 spot.

Majestic Love rates next best.

Selections: Love N The Port (10), Aveross Majesty (6), Hidden Talent (1), Andy Hall (8)

Suggested Bet: Love N The Port – Eachway  

Race 9

Draws are key in 1700m sprint races, and that means Stickifingers is well-placed to run a big race.

The pacer didn’t set the world on fire in her last outing, but she has trialled well since then and looks ready to bounce back.

Major Envy has drawn in a tough spot, but her last start win was great, and she is well capable of winning this.

La Moth is another horse that has drawn well; she should be handy to the speed and running a solid race.

Superfast is in the most tricky spot, but her recent form has been great, so she can overcome it to feature.

Selections: Stickifingers (3), Major Envy (12), La Moth (2), Superfast (9)

Suggested Bet: Stickifingers – Win   

Race 10

Top-class performer Sand Wave has been set for this race on his return from a spell, and he looks like a huge winning chance. 

Starting from the 30m back mark won't be any picnic, but he can definitely overcome it.

Captain Tom comes into this race fresh, but he's sure to be ready to fire. The standing start is a little bit of a mystery, but he has the class to win.

Deny Everything is well up to this kind of company and looks like a solid each-way threat.

Local hero Robyn's Playboy gets his shot from the front line; he could be hard to catch with the head start he has on his main rivals.

Selections: Sand Wave (12), Captain Tom (11), Deny Everything (9), Robyns Playboy (4)

Suggested Bet: Sand Wave – Eachway

Race 11

Draws in today's finale look like a key way to separate some of the leading contenders.

Tempo Warrior brings strong form, and crucially, he starts inside several of his key rivals.

He should take plenty of catching from barrier 4.

Harrison looks very well placed in this race; barrier 7 isn't perfect, but he is still a major winning threat.

As is Amass, who can improve on a fair last-start performance; expect him to run well today.

Consider Goma Dale next, who has shown talent in a short career so far.

Selections: Tempo Warrior (4), Harrison (7), Amass (8), Goma Dale (10)

Suggested Bet: Tempo Warrior – Win