Friday Horse Racing Meets – February 18

Before the Group racing action of the 2011 Coolmore Lightning Stakes Day takes place at Flemington tomorrow, this Friday there are nine quality TAB meetings taking place at racetracks around the country.

The Friday race line-up includes three thrilling Twilight meets at Moonee Valley, Canterbury and the Sunshine Coast, so there is racing to enjoy and betting to be done well into the evening.

Below we have a look at the race meets scheduled to run today including the start time for Race 1 on each card and our tips in the best races at each meeting.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au as we will also be publishing our insider Friday Night Racing tips for the Moonee Valley and Canterbury races later this afternoon.

For all the best horse racing odds today, tonight and tomorrow make sure you jump online and open an account with Australia’s most used and trusted bookmaker Luxbet.

Luxbet have generous early odds open on the Group 1 Lightning Stakes where Black Caviar and Hay List are facing off and also have a free bet up to $400 for all new customers that join and quote the promo code BONUSBET. Check them out now!

Today’s Horse Racing

Wagga (NSW) – Race 1 jumps at 12:34pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

The first of three TAB meets running in New South Wales today will take place at Wagga where a big nine-race card is due to get underway at 12:34pm (AEDST) with the $10,000 Scientific Pest Management Maiden Handicap (1000m).

Race 5 at Wagga is a beauty with the $10,000 All Seasons Pavilion Boutique Hotel Class 1 Handicap (1400m) taking place at 2:53pm (AEDST) and where we are tipping the consistent #2 Powerhouse to overcome their wide draw and claim an upset win here.

Sale (VIC) – Race 1 jumps at 1:00pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Racing in Victoria this Friday starts off at Sale where the first of eight races, the $12,000 Bennett Electrical Contractors Super VOBIS 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m), is set to jump at 1:00pm (AEDST).

Race 7 at Sale looks the best for punters with a small field facing off in the $12,000 Sale Water Specialists Class 1 Handicap (1200m) at 4:40pm (AEDST) and where we are tipping #2 Groovy Choice to win for trainer Jim Conlan.

Taree (NSW) – Race 1 jumps at 1:20pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Taree Racecourse will be host to the second NSW meet today, things there getting underway at 1:20pm (AEDST) with the $10,000 Moorland Cottage Maiden Plate (1000m).

Race 6 at Taree today has drawn a high-class field for the $10,000 Rosie’s Cafe Johns River Class 2 Handicap (1400m) at 4:20pm (AEDST) and for the win we fancy the well-drawn and well-weight #12 Clangathunder to rise to the occasion with a win after they found form earlier this year.

Kangaroo Island (SA) – Race 1 jumps at 1:50pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

In South Australia the sole race meeting today is running at Kangaroo Island’s Kingscote Racecourse where a seven-event programme will kick off at 1:50pm (AEDST) with the $10,000 Maxwell Cooper Memorial Rating 0 – 72 Handicap (1008m) and in the opening race we are sticking with the hot favourite #5 Raja Belle.

Race 5 at Kingscote is the highlight with the $15,000 Kangaroo Island Winemakers & Grapegrowers Rating 0 – 78 Handicap (1750m) set to run at 4:15pm (AEDST) and in a wide-open field we are tipping #4 The Ozie Boy to win from their nice barrier two draw.

Ipswich (QLD) – Race 1 jumps at 2:03pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Queensland’s Ipswich Racecourse is running seven quality races today starting with the $10,000 Bet at ITC with Tattsbet QTIS Two-Years-Old Maiden Plate (800m) at 2:03pm (AEDST).

The final event on the card is the headline at Ipswich this arvo with Race 7 – the $12,000 Ipswich Cup Marquees Now Selling Class 1 Handicap (1100m) running at 5:50pm (AEDST) and of the runners we are tipping the lightly-raced #2 Zarmarski to score an upset.

Esperance (WA) – Race 1 jumps at 5:31pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Later this afternoon WA’s Esperance Bay track will be home to a seven-race schedule starting at 5:31pm (AEDST) with the $6,500 Esperance Farm Trees Maiden (1300m).

Race 7 at Esperance looks the highlight of the meet when the $8,500 RSM Bird Cameron Handicap (1950m) jumps at 8:49pm (AEDST) and where we have #4 Put Option rated special to win at great odds.