Bathurst Racing Tips for October 16 – Gary Portelli mare can Stroll to a win in Race 4

Here are our best bets from Bathurst, which is one of two meetings in NSW on Taree Gold Cup day. 

Strollin’ By can go close in Race 4 at Bathurst. The Gary Portelli-trained mare broke through for her Maiden win three starts ago over the 1100m on a Heavy 8 track and has since finished 6th at Goulburn before placing 3rd in Benchmark 64 company at Newcastle. That latest effort came over the 900m, where she settled back early before working home strongly. The step up in trip looks ideal, while the Soft track should also play in her favour. She has attracted solid support in the betting and looks well placed to return to the winners’ list.

Prefer Diamonds looks well placed to break through in what shapes as a winnable race. The six-year-old mare has been competing in stronger company in recent times, with a 3rd placing in Benchmark 72 grade at Rosehill and a minor placing at Hawkesbury among her recent efforts. She stepped out over the 1800m at Randwick on Epsom Day but was outclassed, finishing six lengths from the winner in a race run at a strong tempo. This assignment looks considerably easier, and the daughter of Preferment has plenty of fitness on her side. Expect a much-improved showing back in this grade.