Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Kingsgate Native on track for victory

Our tipster Karl Hedley's tips for the weekend’s racing action

SATURDAY

SANDOWN

2-05 CORAL CHARGE (GROUP 3) – 5 FURLONGS 6 YDS

Kingsgate Native was a decent runner up in this race last season and he has proven that he is as good as ever this year. Fast ground is important to this sprinting veteran and with conditions in his favour he ought to go well again. He has already beaten a few of these this season including the likes of Dinkum Diamond, Steps, Extortionist and Stepper Point and there is no obvious reason as to why they should turn around that form.

Shamson represents Richard Hannon and the trainer has an excellent strike rate at this track. The three year old will appreciate this return to the minimum trip and he looked relatively one paced over six furlongs last time. Frankie Dettori takes the mount and they have a decent draw in stall two and they could prove the pick of the opposition.

Wind Fire won well over the course and distance last month but she has a double figure draw to contend with here and that may put pay to her chances despite a light weight. Kingsgate Native is as tough and as genuine as they come and he deserves to get his head in front once again.

2-40 CORAL CHALLENGE (HANDICAP) – 1 MILE 14 YDS

Velox can gain compensation for what has to be considered a very unlucky run at Epsom on Oaks Day. Having been held up to make his challenge he was badly hampered against the rails and that saw him lose all chance of at least placing. The drop down to a mile clearly was not an issue and granted better luck in running this afternoon he can play a leading role.

Russian Realm should be seen to better effect now he is once again tried at this one mile trip. He ran a respectable race when finishing in the mid division behind Louis The Pious at Royal Ascot and he may well prove the main threat.

Busatto has been in good form this year and would have been of interest with a better draw. He has work to do in order to reverse recent form with Velox but he is capable of making the frame. Velox looks like a typical Luca Cumani improver and with the yard already in winning form this week he looks sure to go well.

HAYDOCK

3-30 BET365 OLD NEWTON CUP – 1 M 3 F 200 YDS

Magic Hurricane faces his toughest task to date this afternoon but he showed real guile and determination when landing a five runner race over this course and distance a few weeks ago. Having been headed he rallied gamely to see off the challenges of both Esteaming and Jazz Master. He is clearly on an upward curve and with further improvement to come he has to be high on any shortlist.

Havana Cooler was bound to be ring rusty following ten months off the track. He put in an almighty effort to finish third at Royal Ascot last time and he is entitled to come on for that run. On that basis he can turn around recent form with Salutation and provide the main threat to the selection. De Rigeur bounced back to form at Newmarket last time and given that he is already proven over the course and distance he too can make frame at a decent price.

Andrea Atzeni has ridden him to victory twice in the past and it is of note that he is once again on board. Magic Hurricane has been partnered by Freddie Tylicki in all bar one of his starts. He takes the reigns once again today and together they can enhance the excellent record of lightly weighted four year olds in this particular event.

SANDOWN

3-50 CORAL ECLIPSE (GROUP 1) – 1 M 2 F 7 YDS

Trading Leather could well be the forgotten horse in this line up. He won the Irish Derby last season and followed that with creditable efforts in both the King George VI at Ascot and the Juddmonte International. He does have three lengths to find with The Fugue based on their meeting in the Irish Champion Stakes, but now that he comes here a relatively fresh horse he can finish a lot closer. Kevin Manning knows Trading Leather inside out having partnered him in all career starts to date and the combination can outrun their current odds.

The Fugue comes here on the back of a victory at Royal Ascot when seeing off the likes of Magician and Treve. It was a brilliant performance by the mare that shattered the track record in the process. Will Buick is once again in the saddle and the duo look the obvious danger.

Only one three year old has won this since 2005 and that was the brilliant Sea The Stars. It is hard to see any of these young pretenders being good enough to repeat that. Verrazano has improved on each start since joining Aiden O’Brien and he too can make the frame. Trading Leather is a proven Group One winner and he can go well in this company.