Check out the free racing tips and best bets for Thursday's racing at Ballarat and Newcastle. I like the look of Dakarai at Ballarat in Race 8. Also, for my roughie bet, I've got my eye on Silent Russian in Race 5 at Newcastle. At Ballarat, the track is rated a soft 6 at this stage so look for runners that like to run on a soft track. The Newcastle is looking heavy for race day on Thursday so keep that in mind. Let's get into it!
Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 08/08/24
Best Bets of the Day
Best Tip: Dakarai #4 Ballarat R8
Dakarai is first-up on Thursday. Last start, this horse tried its best but was just not good enough in the end, finishing 4th of 8 at Cranbourne in a BM64 over 1300m, 2.5 lengths behind Hypeman (59kg). But I'm backing it to get into the top three this time or maybe even get the win for punters on Thursday. Previously, 2nd of 8 at Pakenham BM64 on April 18, 2024 over 1400m. Very good stats when its racing at this 1200m distance. Doesn't mind running fourth-up as Dakarai has proven success when it's in this situation.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
 | $3.80 |
 | $3.80 |
 | $3.80 |
Best Roughie: Silent Russian #4 Newcastle R5
I like the form of Silent Russian for Race 5 at Newcastle on Thursday. Won at Wyong over 1200m on July 29. Before that, Silent Russian finished first at Newcastle in a Barrier Trial-Open on July 18, 2024, over 1000m. Doesn't mind running third-up, good record thus far.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| $6.00 |
| $6.00 |
| $6.00 |
Stats and Insights
- At Ballarat, runners outside of around the ten suffer at least a length’s advantage due to the uniquely challenging nature of the straight.
- Newcastle is a spacious and flat track with a 400m straight that gives almost all barriers an equal chance to run on.
- The first 3-4 races in most meetings are called "Maidens" and these races are usually risky and unpredictable. This is because the runners are usually making their debut or have only had a few starts. So it's advisable to stay from these races unless you have a good bankroll.
Best Racing Promotions
Horse racing promotions and offers are great for boosting your betting profits so I always recommend looking out for them. Aussie betting sites roll out some unique promotions during the racing season, especially during the Spring Carnival. One of my personal favourites is BetRoyale, which offers same race multi for Thoroughbred racing and other features. Such as mystery bets, blended bets, and first past-the-post payouts. Also, I’ve noticed they can offer higher odds for roughies, which is always nice.
Betting sites and their promos often change, especially around major races or events like the Melbourne Cup or AFL Finals series. Head over to betroyale.com.au to see what's currently on offer. I think you'll find it worthwhile.
During this busy week of racing, I highly recommend BetRoyale. They offer a wide range of betting features, so you can get some of the best odds for racing across Australia. Plus, BetRoyale provides solid racing markets and bet types for racing in Australia or overseas.
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- Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 08/08/24