Free Horse Racing Tips & Best Bets for Townsville 3/8/2024

Prepared by Ricky Vale in Mackay who also saddles up the favourite Namazu in the Cup. Last start winner in Mackay and will look the winner in the straight here. Won a Randwick trial in April by 6 lengths. The horse that ran second in that trial has subsequently finished 4th at Newcastle and Kembla Grange where it was in the top 2 or 3 at the 400m mark. This looks like one of the better bets of the day.

Can the 7-year-old lump the 62kg over the 2000m to win another Cup? After watching his last start in Rockhampton I would have said no. But the numbers say otherwise. He’s unbeaten at the track and is 4/5 top 3 over the distance. His last win was in April over 1300m and before that a 1.8L win in Mackay on soft ground where he carried 68kg. Big danger will be Castile who doesn’t know how to run a bad race and was a good thing beaten last start over 1600m. Question mark will be the distance not effort. Fortified and Maloolaba are light weight dangers

NAMAZU $3.50 / $1.65

CASTILE  e/w $14.00 / $3.70

In the hands of one of the best trainers in country Queensland. Form is outstanding with a top 3 finish 4 of his last 6. The other 2 were 4th placed finishes. Last start 3rd was behind Armour Force which gets a run in the cup later in the day. Only knock would be the rise in weight of 5kg on last start. Has run placings with this weight down south. Hoping that today is his day.

Is first up but first up record is 4: 2-0-1 so not an issue. Never out of the placings track and distance. Will be in the finish. Each / way.

Only 3 lengths behind last start winner Kihi but gets a bit of a weight swing this week. Also in the Hatch stables. A tough race with little form or data to work with here.

A very tough race and I thought there would be much more value with Cusack here. Don’t be surprised if there is a knockout punch by something at long odds here. Sir Maximus $16 has run 3rd in his last 3 starts and will be brave and give a show at the odds. Finsceal, $34 has form around Sir Maximus. Other dangers include Harrow  $5.00, Moktaffy $4.20 and My Artie $21.00.  Could be a race for those who like the exotics.

Tom Button continues to fly underneath the radar with his stables at the home of Bowen racing. Very rarely does the multiple Rockhampton Premiership winning trainer turn up to the races and goes home empty handed. Lacy Morrison also a recent premiership winner gets the ride on this magnificent animal. Never worse than 2nd on the track and a 50% + place strike rate he’s a quality each way bet.

Taking the ride is recently crowed apprentice premiership winner Gabby Seemans. An outstanding rider who gives her mounts every chance. Hoping she can finish the day off with a win for us. Tough race to finish the day.

Race 6: 2 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 9

Race 7: 1 – 2 – 6 – 12 – 13

Race 8: 2 – 3 – 6 – 14 – 16

Race 9: 2 – 5 – 7 – 10 – 16