Australian horse racing picks for Hawkesbury and Townsville

There is plenty of racing from Down Under for BetAmerica horseplayers tonight, with four Thoroughbred meetings and two harness meetings available.

Here are a couple picks for two of those Thoroughbred venues, Hawkesbury in the state of New South Wales, and Townsville in the state of Queensland.

Hawkesbury, Race 1: #1 Alakahan

This 4-year-old gelding, bred by His Highness the Aga Khan’s stud, commenced his racing career in Ireland. He had two starts on the Emerald Isle before he was shipped off to Australia and the stable of Richard and Michael Freedman.

In his first Australian start, toward the end of April, he was first up from a 343-day break, yet plugged away OK to finish third over a mile at Kembla Grange. He is certainly bred to run farther (he’s by Motivator, who won an Epsom Derby), so the extra furlong tonight will suit him.

Alakahan has the services of claiming apprentice jockey Brandon Griffiths, which will provide a little weight relief. At 13-2 on the morning line, he is right in this race, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him break through for his first Aussie win.

Townsville, Race 3: #2 The Grove

I Really liked the way this 5-year-old gelding won first-up from a break last start, and there is no reason he can’t do the same tonight. That was also at Townsville, and that took his record at the track to one win and a second from two starts.

Tonight’s opposition doesn’t look any tougher, and the extra furlong is suitable, now that he has that last run under his belt. He has won at a similar distance. Those 4-1 morning-line odds look like a value.

Good luck!

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