18/4/2025 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Echuca, Good Friday races

A bumper eight race card has been set down for Echuca on Friday for Country Discovery Day. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

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7 Delivering (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is the each way play for me in the opener. This guy resumed over 1300m at Geelong where he got back off the speed and although he took a little while to wind into his work, he was pretty good late in the piece behind La Pleine Lune. Fitter, up in trip, he’ll be within range to finish over the top.

5 La Pleine Lune (Bet Now:  $SP.00) commands respect for Team Hayes after a first up win in the race mentioned above. Credit to him, he was there to be beaten but he found under pressure to fend them off and score. 1400m is a query but with his racing style, he’ll give himself every chance.

1 Excel And Fly (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks to have returned in good order. He resumed over 1350m at Donald where he got back in the run and while he was never really a winning threat, he did close off with purpose late in the piece behind Darts Daly. Dangerous if he can use the inside gate to advantage.

3 Blue Stratum (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Team McEvoy trained gelding that resumes. He is first up, having not raced since Cup Day down the straight at Flemington when outclassed but far from disgraced in defeat behind Manolo Bling. He has looked like a rocket in jumpout work and is suited at 1000m.

5 Mr Magnus (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes back to 1000m for Robbie Griffiths after racing over 1200m at Pakenham last time when off speed and chased strongly in the straight when a close up fourth to Spione. Back to a fast run 1000m, he’ll get his chance to finish over the top.

2 Highland Son (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a threat with his best. He ran first up over this trip at Cranbourne where he didn’t get involved but did make up headway and was pretty good in defeat I thought. He can settle closer, be within range and launch late.

7 Chase Your Dreams (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks the straight bat play. Team Hayes trained filly that ran over this trip at Cranbourne last time where she got back and was chasing from a fair way out but kept finding the line and was good in defeat. Gets a big jockey upgrade for mine and she strikes a winnable race.

9 Olney (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should be better for the first up run, which came over the mile at Sandown where he got back and was never a winning threat, but I did like the way he finished his race off in defeat behind Conchiero. Fitter and up in trip, he takes beating.

5 Bannerton (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is one I can entertain for wider exotics. He has done his recent racing on the home deck at Swan Hill, winning two back before a placing last time over 2400m when off speed and kept chasing. Not sure he wins but can run top four.

1 Roadcone (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should like the rise to 1400m after resuming over 1200m at Cranbourne when off speed before being presented clear air and worked to the line with purpose when second to Attain. Fitter and up to 1400m, he’s one of the hardest to beat.

5 Lario (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Danny O’Brien trained three year old that resumes. He is first up, having not raced since Dec 14 at Caulfield Heath when placing behind Cilacap, who of course has gone on to be Stakes class, so that form reads well and his jumpout work has been strong.

2 Sacramental (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Mitch Freedman trained gelding that resumes. He hasn’t raced since Cranbourne Cup Day when producing an end of prep run behid Oh Too Good. First up at 1400m signals intent and his best is good enough to be a threat.

2 Superset (Bet Now:  $SP.00) each way for me. Shawn Mathrick has this gelding going really well at the moment, winning two back at this track/distance before going to 1300m at Warrnambool when on speed and tried hard but couldn’t quite get there when second to Off His Roca. Drawn wide, but a good racing style and is back up in trip.

3 Nodachi (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a key threat after a win over 1300m at Cranbourne. She landed in a good spot near the seped before being presented clear and she finished best to win narrowly but impressively. Fitter, up in trip, has a touch of class on her side, she appeals.

1 Real Sensation (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is dangerous with his best. He ran over this trip at Sale last time when off speed and kept chasing without threatening behind She’s Pretty Rich. That was his first run in six weeks so with room for upside/improvement, he can threaten at odds.

4 Alma Rise (Bet Now:  $SP.00) for me in what looks a two horse race. Moody/Coleman trained mare that was second up when racing over 2000m at Ballarat where she got a fair way out of her ground and spotted those in front too much head start but was good late in the piece. Hard fit, back to Mares grade, she’s the one for me.

1 Smokin Princess (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is on the quick back up for Team Payne after racing on Saturday in the Golden Mile at Bendigo when near the speed and she tried her guts out but found one better in Regal Zeus. 2100m is fine, she has class…likeable.

8 Just Glamourous (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks the leader and from there, she’ll give cheek, as she did at Caulfield last time but had no answers late for the finale of impressive winner Grey Ice. The trip is the query but with front end control, she’ll run a positive race.

I think you have to take a chance with the former Singapore galloper, 3 Golden Monkey (Bet Now:  $SP.00). He wasn’t far off the elite company when racing over there and yes, 1000m is on the short side for him, but he has jumped out like a rocket for his return and will be stronger than most at the end.

1 Rey Magnerio (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes here with fresh legs, having not raced since the William Reid where he struggled on the shifty track behind Schwarz. Back to 1000m I find very interesting, but he is the class runner, by some distance, and it will take him a long way.

4 Johnny Rocker (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a very interesting runner. Nick Ryan trained galloper that resumes after a frustrating 2024 where he threatened to be a Group l horse but didn’t quite go on with it. He’s been given a good break and his jumpout work has been elite, so watch betting.

2 Boltsaver (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is first up on his home track on a big day, so you’d like to think he’s here to play hence why he is on top. He resumes for Rhys Archard, having not raced since Dec 28 at The Valley when placing behind a handy galloper, Delta Sky. Jumped out super to my eye, maps ideally and gets John Allen.

5 Simply Sparklez (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should appreciate a rise in trip for Austy Coffey after a win over 1000m at Donald where she gave them a start and a beating in an electric performance. That was her first run in a month so upside/improvement to come, she’s a leading chance.

13 Majestic Reward (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has done little wrong in three runs. Debut winner at Wodonga before a solid effort at Bendigo. She then went to Geelong and was game in defeat when on speed and just missed out when second. She’ll be around the mark.

BEST BET: Race Three Number 7 Chase Your Dreams

NEXT BEST: Race Six Number 4 Alma Rise

LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 3 Golden Monkey

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg Two: 1, 4

Leg Three: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg Four: 2, 4, 5, 13

$50 Investment = 31.25% of the dividend if successful

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