Summer Heats Up

Published: 01 Dec 2014

Blue skies ahead - Summer racing is hitting Sydney and Melbourne

After Spring excitement of the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and the countless other regional Cups, racing now enters the Summer period, with horses aimed their right grade and not placed out of their depth in the search for Carnival riches.

It is a great time of year to have a punt. Trainers are more patient, preparations are normal and the tracks race well. The quality isn't as high, but you don’t have to deal with as many doubts over horse fitness and how each animal is holding up to a demanding Spring calendar.

It is also at this time of year that we see the unearthing of many two year-olds as they step out onto the race track for the first time. Big Autumn goals, and of course January's Magic Millions carnival, await those that make the grade. The classier youngsters often hit the track for just one race before resting ahead of the target races. For them, it is all about keeping a close eye on the trials.

So far, so good, for both race clubs and punters. After the disappointment of the Kensington track the week before, Rosehill Gardens was turned out a treat last Saturday with a fair racing surface. The result was six of the eight favourites saluting the judge. A tough day to be a bookie.

How do we stay on top?

Keep across all the Form and Factors for each race and take advantage of the smaller fields to get to know each horse. It's a less complicated puzzle than the big Carnival periods, with more opportunity to zoom into the key chances in each race. 

It's the perfect time of year to sharpen your skills on the punt... in between trips to the beach and the cricket of course!

The Race Guide for this weekend’s races will be published from this Thursday morning.

All smiles - The favourite in the last comes back a winner at Rosehill Gardens