Racing returns to Pakenham racecourse and Newcastle racecourse this Thursday for two solid cards to lead us back into another weekend of high level Group 1 races and I am very keen on these cards to build a bank roll for the weekend. I have run through the two aforementioned cards and as usual picked out a best bet and best outside chance of the day. I’ve also outlined our best promotions across the aussie betting sites. In the final part of the article you should find some helpful track insights for both the racecourses which should assist your horse racing betting. Follow me below for another great day of racing this Wednesday!
Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 21/03/24

Best Bets of the Day
Best Tip: Pakenham - R4 - #8 - Voracious
It looks like Voracious is due to get the maiden win out of the way and can do so here at his third career start. He’s kicked off the career with two runs at this course for the Price and Kent Jr stable and has been rock solid in both. He ran home hard into third place on debut before being three weeks between runs last time out and leading along the rails before just being overrun late by a few smart animals. He looks better suited with a bunny to chase which he maps to get here, will be hard fit third up and only runs well for me.
Bookmaker | Odds |
![]() | $2.30 |
![]() | $2.20 |
![]() | BEST OF THREE TOTES |
*The Best Tote bet type pays bettors the highest dividend declared by the three national totes. The VIC TAB, NSW TAB and UBet. This likely means that there aren't fixed odds available at the time of writing this on that bookmaker and there likely will be.
Best Roughie: Newcastle - R7 - #1 - Primo
I think that Primo is a very good chance for the Hawkes camp in resuming here in what looks like a wide open affair. He has had two runs back in the Spring last year where he showed enough talent in each to be respected resuming here. The first run saw him work from deep in the field at Kembla to finish just behind the placegetters before stepping out again, 5 weeks between runs at Kensington and doing similar work to finish fourth again. He now comes back to racing under Jennings, well weighted and with a good draw. Go well.
Bookmaker | Odds |
$7.50 | |
![]() | $7.00 |
![]() | BEST OF THREE TOTES |
*The Best Tote bet type pays bettors the highest dividend declared by the three national totes. The VIC TAB, NSW TAB and UBet. This likely means that there aren't fixed odds available at the time of writing this on that bookmaker and there likely will be.
Stats and Insights
- Pakenham is one of the smallest tracks in the country, with only 1400m circumference and as such suited to front-runners and those horses with the ability to race handy to the pace.
- Kris Lees has an impressive 26% strike rate at Newcastle and has a few runners placed in the racing at the track so watch closely.
- Newcastle is a spacious and flat track with a 400m straight that gives almost all barriers an equal chance to run on.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Terms and Conditions Apply. Max Stake $200
Best Racing Promotions
Promotions have historically been a great way for bettors to gain an advantage over betting sites by providing an edge to your bet. For racing specifically these promotions can be extensive in providing you some form of ‘outs’ to your bet that you wouldn’t normally receive.
Palmerbet, in recent weeks, has stood out to me across the Aussie betting sites that offer racing promotions and is one that I would take a look at, especially for big race days that feature Group 1 races and Saturday’s in general.
On our site we have a Palmerbet Review that goes in depth into the bookmaker as well as a Vicbet and Punterspal Review amongst some of the other top bookmakers that frequently have promotions.
Promotions tend to change regularly, so it is important to sign up to these betting sites to stay updated on the latest applicable promotions.
I am an avid horse racing enthusiast and punter. Growing up in Randwick, I have been surrounded by racing through stories from the elderly’s past endeavours to the racecourse and owners that are friends of the family. I am also a data-scientist and am fascinated and intrigued by the algorithmic approach to form. I’ve has become more involved with racing over the past few years due to simultaneously delving deeper into the sport and learning how to apply a data driven approach to punting. Beyond Racing, I am an avid NRL fan and MMA fan, the latter of which I have largely applied the same philosophy of methodical, data driven punting towards and found solid success in the MMA space and I continue to track and improve my strategies.
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