Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping

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

Memsie Stakes, Caulfield

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

SATURDAY MEETINGS (AEDT Times)

FLEMINGTON (9 races, start 12.25pm), RANDWICK (9 races, start 12.40pm),

SUNSHINE COAST (8 races, start 1.28pm), MORPHETTVILLE (8 races, start 1.44pm),

ASCOT (8 races, 3.49pm).

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

FLEMINGTON

THE EARLY OIL: FLEMINGTON

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Form: 1x163

ROUGH JUSTICE

Race 9, No. 2

Unfit first-up, good second-up. Should keep the streak going.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.90

DANNY RUSSELL (Herald Sun). Form: 33111

GOLD SYMPHONY

Race 6, No. 1

Class three-year-old resuming. Expect Peter Moody will have him wound up enough for a 1100m dash worth $250,000.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.50

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun). Form: 9x613

MISS SOFTHANDS

Race 2, No. 5

Has won her two starts this time in easily. Should get a great on-speed run and can complete the hat-trick.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.70

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (Superracing). Form: 01443

ZUPACHARGED

Race 7, No. 8

Step up to 1400m looks ideal, whereas most of his rivals don’t look to be suited by the distance, and he doesn’t have Durendal to contend with this time.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.40

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RANDWICK

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 173x8

MISS ROYALE

Race 3, No. 6

Miss Royale was dynamic winning first-up at Warwick Farm then was beaten as hot favourite when third to Selita at Rosehill two weeks ago. She carried 60kg that day but drops to just 53kg after Andrew Adkins claim on Saturday. Fitter now and can bounce back to winning form.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.20

STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 46753

DIAMOND OASIS

Race 7, No. 2

Prepared by Joe Pride, he had plenty of supporters and didn’t let them down with a strong win at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day. He is at his top now, only has eight rivals to do battle with and has James McDonald to do the steering. That’s a winning formula.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.30

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 08157

MISS ROYALE

Race 3, No. 6

Plummets in weight here after shouldering the grandstand at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Can turn the tables on Selita, who she meets a staggering 5 kilograms better at the weights. Tough nut to crack.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.20

Diamond Oasis scored an impressive win at the Gold Coast last month. Picture: Grant Peters

SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman). Form: 74064

IN A WINK

Race 3, No. 1

Gets in well enough now after the 2kgs claim for the in-form Sam Clenton, bearing in mind that the daughter of Ready As won the Listed Denise’s Joy at the Scone stand-alone last year. She has come back in good nick too, finishing a closing 2.8-lengths 6th first-up to last weekend’s MM F & M’s winner I Am Zelady. She followed that with a second to Rule The River here, then 5th to Tree Of Jesse in a 1200m race on Boxing Day. Drawn essentially in the middle so Clenton will have some options and re the 1400m; In A Wink is 3s 1-0-1.

TAB Fixed Odds: $9.50

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Superracing). Form: 125x3

SELITA

Race 3, No. 4

Hugh Bowman jumps on Bjorn Baker’s mare who is aiming for her fourth straight win this campaign. Drops in weight and sure to give plenty of cheek again.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

SUNSHINE COAST

BEN DORRIES (The Courier-Mail). Form: First starter

ASSERTORY

Race 5, No. 16

Nice mare from the Desleigh Forster stable who has come back in great order with successive, soft wins. Robbie Fradd knows her back to front and there is no reason, from the good draw, she won’t post a hat-trick of wins.

TAB Fixed Odds: $5

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin). Form: 81461

LORDAG

Race 4, No. 3

Finished runner-up to Centre Pivot two back in the Bernborough and then just found one better again over the mile last start at this track. Should relish the 1800m and this looks his race. Shotover River should also win the opener.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.70

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

MORPHETTVILLE

BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser). Form: 53x11

ENDURO

Race 5, No. 7

He has returned to racing in sizzling form and couldn’t have been more impressive last time when he went within a half-second of the course record for this trip. This is a step up in class but looks like he’s primed to handle it.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.25

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 26141

COOL MAVERICK

Race 6, No. 6

Racing in good form and was a narrow winner here three starts back before two solid runner-up efforts. He was narrowly beaten by Pepper The Pin two starts back and comes off a more than handy effort behind the in-form Enduro. Drawn perfectly and hard to beat.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.25

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

ASCOT

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 33041

CONE BAY

Race 4, No. 7

Bolted in at Bunbury last start and despite the rise in class looks to have plenty of upside and should win again.

Note: Prices correct at time of publishing

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping