Racing for Saturday 3 January 2009

Bat Out of Hell Handicap – Gold Coast
There are some good races at the Gold Coast this Saturday as a warm up for next weeks Magic Millions, with the Starcraft three-year-old quality, Magic Millions Prelude and the Bat Out of Hell handicap.

The $100,000 East88.com.au Bat Out Of Hell Handicap is a 900 metre dash that has attracted a field of twelve good sprinters. The topweight Keen Commander will carry 60 kg, which is 5 kg more from the next horse and 7 kg more than eight of the runners. Despite the heavy weight he is equal favourite in the early market with Azzaland at $2.80. Azzaland has won eight of his ten starts. 

Jo’s tips: 1. Azzaland, 2. Keen Commander, 3. Burdekin Blues

Schillaci Handicap – Randwick
Randwick has a solid programme of eight events and the final race is the $70,000 Schillaci Handicap over 1100 metres with a field of thirteen runners. The early market shows the betting is wide open with the favourite Ledger at $6.50 followed by Spirilina and Yoburg at $7 and Abbacina and Royalaz at $7.50.

Ledger won his last start but seems to like softer ground. Yoburg has won his past two starts, both over this distance, and is well down in the weights with a 3kg claiming apprentice. Ana’s Mail won her last start very impressively over 900 metres at Newcastle.

Jo’s tips: 1. Royalaz, 2. Ana’s Mail, 3. Yoburg

Woorak Handicap – Caulfield
The $60,000 Woorak Handicap over 1400 metres at Caulfield has attracted a field of fourteen runners. The early market has Ab Almalik and Hezabruiser as equal favourites at $5.50, after both geldings won their last start. Ab Almalik seesm to do his best at this distance. Next in the betting is Mastercraft at $7 and Musafa at $9.50.

The nicely-bred David Hayes trained Lockdown is making the trip from South Australia with a record of two wins and a second from his four starts and could make an impression in this field.

Jo’s tips: 1. Ab Almalik, 2. Lockdown, 3. Mastercraft