Friday best bets from Luke & Hyland (16/10)

By SENTrack

Cam Luke & Sam Hyland have your Friday sorted on Trackside.

The lads have taken a close look at Bathurst, Taree, Gatton & Penola in a bid to find the family some winners.

See their best bets below:👇

Cam Luke

BATHURST

Race 1 | 2. Hellfire Henry

It was pretty good last start when only just beaten late and getting back to the 1400 today works. Last time he ran seven furlongs here he only just got beat and I think that field was tougher than this. Drawn perfectly to find the rail and there isn't a huge amount of pressure so he'll get away with a nice soft lead and be extremely hard to beat.

Race 5 | 4. Strollin' By

Back to the 900m last start didn't work for her so up to 1200m today using that as a little pipe opener works perfectly. Again no real luck with the barrier jaw but this is easier and more to her liking. Soft track won't stop her and neither will the 1200m even though her distance record doesn't read well. They were in much tougher races than this and I think she'll be too good! I'm one out in the Quad!

Race 6 | 7. Prefer Diamonds

Actually thought she wasn't too bad last start in town and now she gets back up to the 2000 in an easier grade that suits her so much better. She will get back from that gate but I think there's enough speed to make sure the swoopers have a sniff. The moisture in the track won't stop her and as long as she carries the rise in weight OK she's very hard to beat in his class.

Race 7 | 9. Flying Maurice (each-way)

Always hard to do what he's trying to do and win second up after a maiden victory on debut but this race is not dripping in cream. He did belt them at Canberra and he gets the claim here with the same jockey who rode him so well to win. I think the 1300 metres will be a plus going forward and if he handles the step up today in class it'll work for him today and he's a great each way play I think he is a nice horse and can run really well.

Race 8 | 8. Hanuman

This bloke is most certainly in form and even though today he rises in weight he stays in the same class (in fact probably less depth here) Jockey is in really good form and he led from barriers to box last start and from that gate he will be asked to do the exact same thing. He will have some company forward with a number of horses who like to inject speed so if he box seats it won't be the worst. He has no drama with rain affected tracks and I think he'll be very hard to beat. I am one out in the quaddie.

TAREE

Race 4 | 12. Purple Haze

Probably a little short now due to the scratchings but this bloke never runs a bad race and his resuming run after a long break was really promising. Gets the 1600 metres finally and is no doubt a horse who will appreciate further into a preparation. Jockey in China combo are lethal and from that gate he'll have a beautiful running transit. Not backing him as he is short but I am one out in the early quaddie.

Race 5 | 6. Veecee

This bloke absolutely flies fresh and when he gets it over 1000 he traditionally goes very close. From that albeit a lot of speed in this race I think he'll camp right off the back of it. It's a really open race as it should be being the main Sprint of the day but his first up effort at Port Macquarie last prep was pretty good and if he can replicate that he'll be in the finish.

Race 6 | 5. Zoucratic

This is tougher than last start but he is drawn much better and he is in form as that race help up well. From that gate AC won't need to do much in the run outside of keeping him within striking distance. The 1300 is perfect wheelhouse and the Soft going is delish. Runs best when kept a little fresh and again that is the case today and I really like him, with no weight and the dream run, he's my best at Taree!

Race 7 | 4. Fierceness

This bloke is flying with those last two wins in town on a Wednesday and he gets an opportunity today in an open but very winnable Cup. He is a Miller who is drawn perfectly and am can stalk the speed and allow him to get into the groove. The soft track poses no threat and in fact might give him an advantage over others in the market (Montpellier) Well rated and placed and will be very hard to hold out from a great stable!