Raj's Daily Racing Tips

Friday 22nd September 2006
These were today's tips given to members

Starting bank = £2,881.98 - Ending = £6,301.21

Profit = £3,419.23



On Friday, Ascot staged the Watership Down Stud Sales race. The RTW selections had a very similar look to the ones given out on Goffs Million day which took place at the Curragh on Tuesday. What was even more bizarre was that the races came in similar order to that day too, starting off with a couple of Maidens. I hoped we could build some ammo to attack on the days 2 bankers which were to follow. This is what happened:

AL QASI, BUACHAILL DONA:

Readers of the blog at RTW will know all about Al Qasi, a horse we've followed right through the summer. We've known he's a potential Group horse in the making,so he was an automatic selection especially with the rain arriving. He did us a huge favour last time out when he romped home at 11/4.

I thought it would be wise to have a saver on Buachaill because he should be unbeaten this year in 4 runs winning 3. He is improving fast and coming from the Nicholl's stable we thought it's best to be safe then sorry. These 2 horses were clear in the betting market. Al Qasi never looked like being beaten and wrapped things up 2 furlongs out,a big priced winner and a solid start to the day.


MIMISEL:

Mimisels Maiden race form was solid especially her second start. The winner went close in Group company first start and the second landed a gamble on her next start. Her latest start was in a Listed race where she finished 4th but I think the ground was a bit quick for her. Mimisel looked to have the race in the bag a furlong out and was matched at 1.1 in-running, but she was caught close home by a horse that was made making its debut. It was frustrating because Mimisel had everything well beaten off and the winner was heavily backed into 2nd fav.I was going to back her as a saver myself but thought it cheeky because members wouldn't be on.


SCOTTISH STAGE:

The first banker of the day. This one had improved with each race this year and had a 2nd placing in the Irish Oaks,solid Group 1 form. Her latest start was over 1m 6F where she came to win her race but didn't stay the distance. Today she was dropped in Grade and optimum distance.

The opposition was made up of Listed performers and this looked booked for Scottish. Here's where I made my mistake. When I opened the Racing Post I saw her forecast price 2/1. I thought no way is that right. I'd happily take evens and less.

I switched Betfair on and saw it was trading just below 2/1 so I started to ask for £200 bets so that other users didn't jump in front of me. I got my bet matched on and felt really pleased with myself, thinking this will be backed off the boards by race time. Note the times the bets were made. I had checked the Going and the weather forecast in the paper and it stated Good to Firm.

The weather was cloudy with showery rain and at worst the going would change to good with some rain which is fine. By racetime Ascot had a deluge of rain and the going became very Soft. The price drifted out to more than 3/1, and Scottish never travelled at any stage of the race. If this one comes out before the end of the season and the going is good we'll be on.

LONGQUAN:

This one had been placed behind some really decent sorts on 2 of his 3 runs and the only disappointing run was in between these 2 efforts. I think the ground was too Firm for him, but this looked good on his last start after a summer break. The opposition was poor and Longquan was a surprisingly good price 7/4 as I would have expected about 4/5. During the race you could see a long way out that he wasn't going to be beaten.


INDIAN INK:

This is the one that got me all excited when I opened the paper. When I saw 13/8 forecast I said I'll take 1/2. I sprang out of bed, checked Betfair and saw 2.94 as you can see from the screen shot. I again started to place small amounts so the price didn't drop. I would without hesitation, say it was the bet of the year so far. I really wished Scottish had won because I love to play up winnings and I would have placed all the winnings on this one.

This was exactly the same scenario as to Silk Blossom, but the opposition was weaker and the ground and distance were perfect. To top all this she gets better with each run. Just before the race she went out to more than 11/4 on Betfair and I put a bit more on, but I curse myself because I really should have smacked it. In the race it won like a 1/10 shot the jockey motionless. I hope she runs in the Cheveley Park as we'll be on.

QUEENS BEST:

Getting better with each run. She handles the Soft well and on her seasonal debut finished 2nd to the Listed placed La Mottie and that race was solid form. Theres no one better then Stouty at placing in Handicaps and after a break her chance was there for everyone to see.I went for a place market bet and I think I must be going soft because she was a tasty 7/2 and won as she liked.

So there's the perfect welcome to all the new members and we'll go on from this. We've not had a losing month since we tinkered with the selection process in June, and I hope new members filled up. That's my Holiday paid for in December!

Raj