Punt Drunk: Nature Strip eyes off Doomben 10k after TJ Smith win

Nature Strip - TJ Smith Stakes 2021

With the first day of The Championships in the books, we build throughout this week and get ready for Day 2 on Saturday. Make sure to keep up to date throughout the week on HorseBetting.com.au with plenty of betting tips to help build up a bank for the weekend ahead.


Nature Stripping in QLD

If the COVID-19 pandemic was under more control in Europe, then Nature Strip would surely be heading to Royal Ascot. However, the TJ Smith Stakes winner is set to travel to Queensland with a crack at the Doomben 10,000 cemented in his plans. Connections made it clear that his shitshow of a spring was due to being spelled for too long after winning the TJ Smith 12 months ago. He had five months off the track before his first-up second in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes behind Gytrash and never found his way into the winner’s stall throughout the spring. He then had 14 weeks off from a run in the VRC Sprint to the Lightning Stakes, which he won, and his three runs this campaign have delivered two Group 1 successes and a narrow defeat in the Challenge Stakes. So perhaps it will be another crack at a Group 1 in Queensland and a similarly light break leading into the spring.


Instant success for SA star?

With the Adelaide Autumn Carnival just a few weeks away, the return of local up-and-comer Instant Celebrity is upon us. Having trialled up nicely on Friday at Morphettville, the Phillip Stokes-trained filly is set to return in the Redelva Stakes this Saturday with a crack at the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes on her radar. Having only tasted defeat when third in the Caulfield Guineas at her last start, who is to say she will not continue her winning ways upon resumption this weekend and then a fortnight later in a bid to claim her first Group 1?


Like grandfather, like brother

Edward Cummings is far from a household name, but the grandson of the great Bart Cummings and brother of Godolphin’s James Cummings grabbed his first stakes win on Day 1 of The Championships when Duais took out the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes. The filly is now set to line up in the Australian Oaks this Saturday. Not naming names, but there’s a certain member of the #PuntDrunk team who has one going around as a $101 chance in that race…


Monday racing tips – April 12, 2021

  • Grafton racing tips
  • Ipswich racing tips
  • Mildura racing tips

Punt Drunk’s best bet of the day

If you have the patience to wait until the final race at Grafton, it is hard to ignore the form of September Girl. The mare has four wins from five starts on rain-affected going and has also won multiple times at Grafton, including one over the same distance she meets today. Expect her to settle midfield with cover before savaging the line to make it four wins on the bounce.

Grafton – Race 10 – The Jackal Flying Handicap (1100m)September Girl (#11) $3 with Sportsbet

Punt Drunk

About Punt Drunk

Welcome to Punt Drunk! Our new daily column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump…

If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on:




Related posts