NewsBite

The Last Say: Tips, inside mail for Eagle Farm, Rosehill, Caulfield and more on Saturday, May 31, 2025

Trainer Chris Waller can set an all-time record for most Group 1 wins in a season at Eagle Farm today. Get Ray Thomas’ full preview to today’s race day, featuring all the information you need to back a winner.

Ray Thomas
7 min read
May 31, 2025 - 8:23AM
Punters - Hold All Tickets Ep 38 - $7 best bet

Trainer Chris Waller can set an all-time record for most Group 1 wins in a season at Eagle Farm today.

The Hall of Fame trainer has already prepared 18 big-race winners this season – including seven majors with champion mare Via Sistina – to equal the record he set in 2018-19 when the mighty Winx was having her final season of racing.

Waller gets an opportunity to set a new national record with $3 favourite Joliestar or stablemate Democracy Manifest ($51) in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m).

But if Waller misses out in the feature sprint, he still has three starters in the Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) – Imperialist ($15), Existential Bob ($41) and Liberty Park ($126). The trainer’s main hope, Belle Detelle, was a race morning scratching.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The Derby favourite at $5.50 is the Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Statuario who comes off a last start second in the South Australian Derby behind Femminile.

The other feature race at Eagle Farm is the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) with the Team Hawkes-trained colt Gallo Nero at $4.20.

At Rosehill Gardens, the feature race is the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) with trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald saddling up five starters and all are imports – Don Diego De Vega ($7.50), Shahzad ($11), Double Cherry ($19), Sir Chartwell ($26) and Mormona ($51).

The Ciaron Maher-trained Glory Daze has firmed into Cup favouritism at $4.60 and is on the back-up after last week’s tough win at Royal Randwick.

At Caulfield, all eyes will be on the Listed $175,000 Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m), for which the Grahame Begg-trained Niance is a $2.50 favourite as she returns to the track for the first time in almost seven months.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 19c.
Track: Heavy (9).
Rail: True.

EAGLE FARM
Weather: Mild, cloudy day with a high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 21c.
Track: Soft (6).
Rail: True.

CAULFIELD
Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 16c.
Track: Good (4).
Rail: 8m out.

MORPHETTVILLE
Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 19c.
Track: Soft (6).
Rail: 10m out from 1200m to the winning post.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

BE WARY

Rosehill’s track surface has been rated a heavy 9 for most of the week although no rain has fallen since Monday. With mild, sunny weather forecast, there is some chance of an upgrade but the track should stay in the heavy range. Eagle Farm’s track is a soft 6 but much will depend on how much rain does fall during the day. Anything from 7 to 40mls is forecast which will obviously impact the track rating. Stay on weather watch and also study the early Eagle Farm races for any track bias. Caulfield is on a good 4 surface but the rail is out 8m so it may favour those on speed.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS

BEST BET: Race 7 No.10 KERGUELEN is a promising Godolphin sprinter resuming after six months. He has not missed a top two finish in five starts, winning twice, including his runaway win on debut at Kembla nearly a year ago when he put 10 lengths on his chasing rivals in heavy going. He also won at Warwick Farm in heavy going that same preparation. Trainer James Cummings has given Kerguelen two very easy trials to prepare for his comeback, the most recent when he was kept under a tight hold before finishing a close sixth to Angel Capital on the Polytrack at Warwick Farm. He handles wet tracks and sprints well fresh.

THE NEXT BEST: Race 6 No.3 FURIOUS has been improved by two runs from a spell including a narrow loss to Pippie Beach on the Kensington track last start. He has won third-up previously, is well placed here on his home track and from the good draw (barrier two). Furious should get the run of the race, he handles heavy tracks and looks very hard to beat.

VALUE BET: Race 4 No.12 LIKE LUKEY resumed in the Scone Country Cup and came from near last on the turn with a strong run through near the inside to finish second, beaten less than a length by all-the-way upset winner Who Ever Thought. Like Lukey’s comeback effort at 1400m was eye-catching, going out to 1500m suits, she’s drawn well and should settle closer to the lead, and she won second-up by a big margin when last in work. Like Lukey is very genuine and terrific each way value around $12.

THE WHISPER: Race 2 No.2 BOYS NIGHT OUT is bursting to win a race. He has had three runs back from a spell and comes to Rosehill off successive second placings at Doomben and Eagle Farm when beaten narrowly both times. Trainer Matthew Dunn has an outstanding record in Highways, particularly those with good Brisbane form like Boys Night Out. Drawn to get all the favours from barrier two. Back him with confidence.

• EXPERT TIPS: James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

EAGLE FARM TIPS

BEST BET: Race 4 No.1 TAVI TIME was aided by an inside draw and a good ride but he was still impressive beating a strong field in the Scone Cup with ease. He’s right at his peak after three runs from a spell and going out to 1800m is no issue. James McDonald is an important booking and if the track stays in the soft range, it’s perfect for the big bay. Tavi Time’s generally holds his form through an extended preparation.

NEXT BEST: Race 1 No.7 DEMON DARB is racing in very good form. He scored successive wins at Doomben and Eagle Farm in April, had excuses when unplaced two starts back then ran very well for third to the handy Fukubana in a strong form race at Doomben. Demon Darb handles soft-heavy conditions, he’s drawn to get the right run, and will be hard to beat.

VALUE BET: Race 8 No.15 EXISTENTIAL BOB is at $41 for the Queensland Derby but he’s a good each way gamble. Existential Bob is just starting to learn what racing is all about and has struck form at the right time leading throughout to win at Wyong and Ipswich on heavy tracks. With the likelihood Eagle Farm will be in the soft-heavy range, Existential Bob will enjoy those conditions, makes his own luck racing on speed and he can stay.

THE WHISPER: Race 9 No.7 KIN is a talented Godolphin mare improved by two runs from a spell including her closing second in the Bright Shadow at Doomben two weeks ago. She’s peaking now and did win a stakes race at Caulfield third-up last spring. The expected wet track conditions won’t bother Kin, James McDonald stays with the mare, and she’s certain to be very competitive.

• EXPERT TIPS: Graeme Carey’s best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis for Eagle Farm

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Race 1: Zebra Finch $4.80-$4.60
Race 2: Boys Night Out $3.30-$2.80, Warrior For Peace $5-$3.50
Race 3: Harry’s Bar $4.20-$4, I Am Brave $6.50-$4.40, Lady Extreme $8.50-$4.60, Vegas Raider $12-$6
Race 4: Hopper $12-$7
Race 5: Ellipsis $11-$4.60, Massira $19-$10
Race 6: Pure Alpha $7.50-$5.50, Little Cointreau $7.50-$6, Scalextrics $18-$9.50
Race 7: Kerguelen $3.30-$3.10, Unstopabull $11-$6, Spanish Fox $26-$10, Smashing Time $26-$11
Race 8: Glory Daze $11-$4.60, Major Beel $8-$6, Private Legacy $8-$6.50, Touristic $11-$7.50, Shahzad $26-$12
Race 9: Misterkipchoge $8-$5 including a $1000 each way at $7/$2.30, Cormac T $8-$6.50, Anderson Bridge $15-$8, Half Yours $11-$8.50 with a bet of $2000 at $9, Good Prize $19-$10
Race 10: Weeping Woman $8-$4.60

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

LADBROKES BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Race 1: Zebra Finch $5.50-$3.70 including a bet of $555 at$4.60
Race 2: Boy’s Night Out $3.30-$2.70, My Last Hooray $13-$15-$14 with a $500 bet at $15
Race 3: Lady Extreme $7.50-$4.20, Harry’s Bar $4.50-$5 with a bet of $2000 at $4.60
Race 4: Hopper $10-$6.50, Mickey’s Medal $12-$8.50
Race 5: Ellipsis $6.50-$3.90 with bets of $1000 at $4.60, $740 at $4.20, Massira $15-$9.50, King’s Secret $26-$9.50
Race 6: Little Cointreau $8-$6 with a $2500 bet at $7, Scalextrics $14-$9.50, Forecaster $23-$14
Race 7: Unstopabull $11-$6 with a $500 bet $9.75), Spanish Fox $14-$8.50, Iron Man $17-$11
Race 8: Glory Daze $10-$5, Kadavar $8-$5.50, Touristic $12-7, Shahzad $26-$10
Race 9: Misterkipchoge $7.50-$4.60, Cormac T $8-$6, Anderson Bridge $16-$7
Race 10: Weeping Woman $7-$4

EAGLE FARM
Race 1: Felix The Scat $13-$12 with a $1900 bet at $12
Race 2: Terrestar $9.50-$6.50, Aerial Dancer $21-$12
Race 3: Flying Bandit $7.50-$5, Campaldino $10-$6.50, Dillian $11-$9.50 including a bet of $2500 e/w at $9.50/3.20
Race 4: Tavi Time $2.80-$2.70 with a bet of $1176 at $2.70, New Endeavour $5-$3.20 after bets of $500 at $5, $500 at $4.60
Race 5: Grafterburners $10-$7
Race 6: Angel Capital $4-$3.20 after bets of $810 at $3.30, $1200, $911 and $500 at $3.20, Stay Focused $10-$7.50, Media World $14-$8
Race 7: Joliestar $3.30-$2.90-$3 with a bet of $3000 a $3, Giga Kick $5-$7-$5.50 after bets of $1000 a $7, $700 at $6.50, $550 at $6), Bosustow $13-8.50, Zarastro $61-$27
Race 8: Lavalier $21-$12
Race 9: Navyonthehighway $27-$12

CAULFIELD
Race 1: Warrior Smile $4.80-$3.80, Millenium $7-$4
Race 2: Splash Back $5-$3.90 after bets of $875 at $5.50, $500 at $5 five times, $1000 e/w at $4.80/$1.95), Excess $8-$6
Race 3: Big Swinger $2.80-$2.30 with bets of $1000 at $2.85, $1111 at $2.80 twice, $1176 at $2.70 twice, $800, $700 and $600 at $2.70, $1500 a $2.30
Race 4: Extreme Virtue $6-$5 with bets of $2000 e/w at $5.50/$2.15, Silver Cliff $21-$9, Lincolnshire $18-$11
Race 5: Madiyya $2.70-$2.80-$2.10 after bets of $1113, $1111 and $1100 at $2.80
Race 6: Lim’s Saltoro $8-$5.50
Race 7: Wonder Kid $5-$4.40 after a $500 bet at $5.15, Bold Soul $6-$5.50 with a $4000 e/w bet at $5.50/$2.15
Race 8: Niance $2.80-$2.50 after bets of $1111 a $2.80 four times, $1000 at $2.80, $1000 at $2.60, $1266 at $2.50), Recommendation $11-$7.50, Aviatress $19-$12
Race 9: Dirty Grin $5-$4.20 with bets of $500 at $4.80, $500 at $4.60, $500

• EXPERT TIPS: Brad Waters’ best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis for Caulfield

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

INTERSTATE MAIL
CaulfieldRace 3 No.1 BIG SWINGER
Caulfield Race 4 No.11 SOUND IT OUT
Caulfield Race 5 No.2 MADDIYA
Caulfield Race 8 No.7 NIANCE
MorphettvilleRace 3 No.4 BEACH PAD
Morphettville Race 4 No.6 WILD WINNER

PROVINCIAL MAIL
Kembla GrangeRace 2 No.4 RIGHTEOUS LEGEND
Kembla Grange Race 5 No.1 INOUE

• EXPERT TIPS: Heath Pope’s $23 tip at Morphettville plus Aaron Mills’ best bets for Pinjarra

#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners

Originally published as The Last Say: Tips, inside mail for Eagle Farm, Rosehill, Caulfield and more on Saturday, May 31, 2025

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/horse-racing/tips/the-last-say-tips-inside-mail-for-eagle-farm-rosehill-caulfield-and-more-on-saturday-may-31-2025/news-story/ad30b3c395b870bc14fdef54b8fa646e