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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Thursday's best bets from Hyland and Luke (1/1)
SEN Track •  January 1st, 2026 2:19 pm
Cam Luke & Sam Hyland have your Thursday sorted on Trackside.
The boys have taken a close look at Canterbury, Mornington, Inverell, Port Macquarie, Burrumbeet, Hanging Rock, Murray Bridge and the Sunshine Coast in a bid to find the family some winners.
See their best bets below:👇
Cam Luke
Canterbury - Race 1 No.6 Portofino
Resumes today after being gelded and a couple of trials where he looked OK without setting the world on fire. He ran in some nice races in that first prep (Attica) but it was most certainly green and his trials suggest that might be a thing of the past. First time on a good track also will work, is drawn a little awkwardly and we'll need some luck but if he gets it he'll be hard to hold out.
Canterbury - Race 3 No. 10 Raskol
Can find about 1000 excuses about the debut run but what I can say is she hit the line and kept working and that means more distance today is a big win. I don't expect her to be as far back today with a really good gate and there is some speed so hopefully Tommy Berry can put her to sleep right on the back of it. She jumped really well in her trial so I'm hoping that the missed kick was simply lack of race experience and if she jumps well today she'll be in it at the end.
Canterbury - Race 5 No. 9 Monopolistic
Was really good winning on debut when under pressure early but the way that he hit the line makes me think the step up to the 1550 from 1200 is a big tick. Jaune really well again today, has trialled up well since that win and Tommy Berry goes on tick tick tick. I also expect race experience to be a big factor in his improvement today.Never easy to go from a maiden to win two in a row but the horses in the market are drawn horribly outside of him and he speed maps better than the rest!
Mornington - Race 3 No. 11 Thanks Gorgeous
Is a slight risk at that price from that barrier but she is better than this and I actually think back to the 1000 will work today. 2 back ran in a G3 behind Inkaruna when again drawing a crappy gate. She always finds herself in nice races and right on the back of nice horses and even though the luck with the draw isn't here today I think she'll be too good at this level. Drefonna on debut Is the danger, has trialled up well and can stalk what will be a hot speed. I've had a quinella as well as these are the only two horses that can win but I'll stick with race experience for my main bet.
Mornington - Race 4 No. 7 Chills N Thrills
One on debut before being tipped out and that race has held up form really well with 2nd winning in town and 3rd also running well! Has trailed up well without asked to do a huge amount and the 1000 is a slight concern even with the small field though I expect them to hum along so she'll get her chance late. Radley is riding very impressively and the 2kg claim also helps, she will need a couple of things to go run her way in the run but I think she is better than these.
Mornington - Race 5 No. 11 Highland Glory
She doesn't win out of turn but this race does set up pretty nicely for her. She had no luck last start at Geelong in a tougher race than this. She does draw weirdly sticky from the inside guide but should be out the back so Currie will need to give her an absolute peach. She runs at her best on her firm deck and even though she'll need a couple of things to go her way the conditions suit and as always with these staying races there some queries on a lot of others in this race.
Inverell - Race 3 No. 5 Thrilling Venture
Has been really good in two runs this prep but why I'm really keen today is the speed map. First time to the 1200 won't be an issue because from that gate Jett Newman will be able to find the fence before we've even blinked. Good track is A+, the claim also a big win, and even though the third up form doesn't read all that well don't stress tougher races in this.
Inverell - Race 7 No. 13 Satay Chicken (each way)
Was a messy race last start at Toowoomba but in saying that mean approach is better than most of these here. The barrier is no major concern because he'll go back and as long as he gets a backside he'll be ok. Has had a little trial since that run so third up to the 1400 should have him ready to peak on a track that is rated good and to his liking. It's an open cup but this bloke is over the odds and a great each way play.
Port Macquarie - Race 2 No. 4 Bold Splendour
Was pretty good last start behind Navy Buoy who has since won in town. Runs well third up, gets up to the 1800 where a couple of others have queries on the distance and is drawn well to have a nice running transit. She hasn't won for awhile which is always a concern but again this race ain't dripping in cream. Her form on a good track doesn't read particularly well but neither does anyone else as is it feels like a bunch of wet trackers on a good track, so I'll take the class and Bold Splendour has it (relative) here
Port Macquarie - Race 5 No. 1 Gold Melody
If this girl had drawn a gate she'd be a short priced favourite but alas she hasn't so she'll need to go back but this is way easier than last start. She had zero luck in that race so she is due a bit but her win first up was well and truly better than these. Few scratchings makes the gate look a little better but the most important thing is that she gets a backside, the 3kg claim has her very well weighted and with any luck she will win this extremely shallow race.
Burrumbeet - Race 2 No. 11 ForEmmaAndKate
Forget the debut run on the Ballarat syntho as her vet report was longer than the DaVinci code. She is had time to mature, she finds an easier race, she has trialled up really well, and I think from that gate she can squeeze forward which is clearly an advantage on this track.
Sam Hyland
Mornington - Race 4 No.3 La Astro Cat
Is on the home track in the Johnny Meagher colours, will be sharper this preparation & looks a great race for this one.
Canterbury - Race 8 No.10 Lunar Lover
Will be cherry ripe 3rd up getting to this trip, he is a sharp galloper & with a soft first half he will be strong on the way home.
Hanging Rock - Race 5 No.2 Fashion Fighter
Was very good at Colac last start & was putting in the big strides late, drawn to get a perfect run, should be in the money.
Burrembeet - Race 7 No.3 Flying Basil
This bloke will be improved from his first up run & is a tough hardy type, needs luck from the gate around this track but if he gets it he will be strong at the end.
Port Macquarie - Race 1 No.2 Legin
This is easier for him here & gets a great run from Gate 1, should run well.
Inverell - Race 8 No.2 Bolt Away
This horse has drawn to get a good run & has the claim, ticks a few boxes.
Sunshine Coast - Race 6 No.1 Don Pedro
Will put himself on speed & recent runs have been sound for this, he is due.
Murray Bridge - Race 4 No.5 Lady Lupara
Can go two in a row here, strong at the trip & confidence is up, all the best punters.
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