SENTrack: Greg Aldam's best bets for Alice Springs (08/09)

Racing returns to the Red Centre on Sunday with a handy five race program, where we have 35 acceptances for the meeting.

The feature event is the $22,500 Mikala Club Benchmark 76 race over the 1200 metre distance and while it is only a small field with five runners, it is a race with plenty of interest and tactics could play a significant role in the outcome.

Paul Gardner has three of the runners, with quality sprinter Red Wraith looking to be his main contender with his stable mates in Nasty Streak and Rain's Gift also engaged.

The two challengers come from the Greg Connor stable with last start winner Flying Start and Luskin Hero also in he line-up.

On paper it would appear that Red Wraith to be ridden by local Alice Springs apprentice Lek Maloney and Flying Start to be ridden by visiting jockey Georgie Catania are the major players, while Luskin Hero has the experienced Paul Denton in the saddle and he may be the improver so it could pay to keep him safe.

Red Wraith has 8 career wins from 25 starts and in a race where there may not be a lot of early speed, the son of Charm Spirit could get away with some comfortable early sectionals and if this is the case he could prove hard to catch, especially after Maloney's claim.

On the flip side to this is the fact that Flying Start did get past Red Wraith late when they met a fortnight ago and with an extra 100 metres to this event, he will be doing his best work late and he is a galloper that once he is in-form he does usually hold that good form.

Trainer Terry Gillett has called Alice Springs home for many years, initially as a senior jockey before branching out into the training ranks with plenty of success and the punters should always have a healthy respect for the Gillett team.

He has four runners engaged at the meeting with last start victor Beau Factor to be ridden by Sonja Logan and Ornamental Lady for stable rider Stan Tsaikos in race two, whilst Tsaikos also rides Valley Prince in race three and Family Ties in race four for the Gillett team.

All look to have claims, but on paper coming back from an 8-week let-up should have Valley Prince nice and fresh for his assignment and the 1200 metres should not prove to be a problem for the son of Dissident.

First race is set down for 2.35pm NT time, which is 3.05pm for the eastern states and the expected top temperature is a very mild 25 degrees by the Red Centre's standards what will make for competitive racing.

The track is rated as good and has come along nicely in recent weeks after the track upgrade so all will be in good order for the day.

Best Bets

Race1 # 1 Flying Start

After being freshened-up the son of Flying Artie swept to victory a fortnight ago over 1100 metres defeating Red Wraith who appears the logical danger again in this line-up. He has won twice over this distance previously and no doubt Georgie Catania will look to have him close enough on the home bend to utilise his strong finishing sectionals.

Race3 # 3 Valley Prince

He has a more than handy record on this track over this trip with 3 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 11 starts to date. Coming off an eight week let-up should also suit him and he has an ideal draw jumping from barrier one, where you can expect Stan Tsaikos who rides this track well to give him every chance in a competitive affair.

Race4 # 1 Talent Quest

Winning form is good form and the Will Savage trained galloper will attempt to make it four wins on the trot. Whilst he is dropping back in distance this shouldn't be a major concern, as he has performed well at this journey previously and after the claim for visiting apprentice Hannah Le Blanc he does get in nicely at the weights.

Ladbrokes Pioneer Park (Alice Springs): Track Good.

Race 1: 1-2-3-4
Race 2: 3-5-4-1
Race 3: 3-5-2-1
Race 4: 1-2-4-6
Race 5: 1-6-2-7

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