Weekend Best Bets

PODCAST: OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.

Melbourne Racing

OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.

LISTEN TO THE SUPERRACING PODCAST

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RANDWICK

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 4421x

DARCIWOOD

Race 7, No. 4

Was absolutely dynamic when resuming, coming from a clear last on the turn to swamp his rivals and score a soft win over the Randwick 1000m last month. Team Hawkes has given this talented galloper a month to get over that first-up win on a heavy track and he looks well placed tomorrow. I expect Darciwood to produce another irresistible last-to-first finishing sprint.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.50

NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph). Form: 31861

DUCCIO

Race 3, No. 5

Solid in two runs back and his work last Saturday was pretty sharp. If he runs the 200m, and I think he will, he should be beating these.

TAB Fixed Odds: $5

STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 35143

DARCIWOOD

Race 7, No. 4

From the Hawkes team, this gelding resumed from a spell with a most impressive win over this track and distance on July 11. Has had a freshened-up since then and will go very close to racking up a winning double.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.50

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 45674

RAGEESE

Race 4, No. 1

Quickly skyrocketed up the juvenile rankings off a limited preparation last autumn, culminating in a narrow second behind Pride Of Dubai in the Sire Produce Stakes. Could be the horse on everybody’s lips come the Caulfield Guineas but class should see him first post the post here. TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80

SHAYNE O’CASS (The Sportsman). Form: 1721

RAGEESE

Race 4, No. 1

Every thing this horse did at two was a bonus. He was unlucky on debut on November 29. He resumed with a sensational second in the Pago Pago then stretched the neck of Blue Diamond winner Pride Of Dubai in the Sires. His trial was unbelievable — he sat on their hammer, railed up and went away from them without raising a sweat. He could win the Golden Rose.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Superracing). Form: 771x1

INZ’N’OUT

Race 2, No. 7

Backing up after chasing home Fell Swoop at Rosehill last Saturday. Has obviously pleased the stable during the week and looks ready to peak at third run back from a spell.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.20

Darciwood races best when kept fresh. Photo: Simon Bullard

FLEMINGTON

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun). Form: 15143

CHARMED HARMONY

Race 2, No. 4

In terrific form. Look for him to dominate from the front again and chalk up another win over 1400m.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.75

DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun). Form: 146x4

CHARMED HARMONY

Race 2, No. 4

In great form with two easy victories from past two starts. Can make it three in a row.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.75

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 86113

CHARMED HARMONY

Race 2, No. 4

Smart type aiming for a hat-trick of wins after a dominant display over this track/distance last start. In well at the weights after the claim for Tom Sadler and should boot him home for Dad.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.75

DOOMBEN

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Form: 1333x

VIENNA ROYALE

Race 8, No. 3

Too good for his own age last time and now comes up against all comers, but this is definitely no harder and probably a touch easier. Former talented two-year-old who is putting it all together now. Will go forward and be very hard to catch.

TAB Fixed Odds: $5.50

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin). Form: 01142

VIENNA QUEEN

Race 2, No. 3

Hard to find a best bet on the Doomben card this week so don’t by any means think Vienna Queen is a good thing. She should get all the favours from barrier two though and her recent trial was very good where she beat home Liberation comfortably. Should go close.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.50

MORPHETTVILLE

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 07304

BURGUNDY BLAST

Race 4, No. 4

Class galloper who has had some setbacks in his short career. Resumed with an impressive win under similar circumstances here in March and hasn’t raced since being unplaced at three races at Listed level or better. Drawn to get a nice run behind what looks a good speed and his class could be telling in the concluding stages.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.20

BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser). Form: 87319

TRUPT

Race 8, No. 9

Promising mare who ran a terrific race when third behind the flying Wild Rain in the Lightning Stakes here a fortnight ago. Still plenty of upside to her and expect her to prove too strong from the good draw with Jamie Mott in the saddle.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets