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.
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OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.
SATURDAY MEETINGS (AEST Times)
ROSEHILL (9 races, start 11.35am),
CAULFIELD (9 races, start 11.50am),
GAWLER (9 races, 12.02pm),
EAGLE FARM (8 races, start 12.17pm),
BELMONT (8 races, start 2.43pm).
BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS
ROSEHILL
SPORTSMAN PREVIEW: ROSEHILL
RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 29015
EXTENSIBLE
Race 8, No. 11
Was scratched from Randwick last week due to the extremely heavy conditions but the mare will race on a more suitable surface on Saturday. She has only raced once this season for an impressive win at Warwick Farm in January but two recent barrier trial efforts suggest she is primed for her return.
TAB Fixed Odds: $7.50
NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph). Form: 061x4
THURSTON
Race 4, No. 5
Reckon he was ridden a touch close last start and he was just outside his comfort zone for too long to finish the race off. Sets up beautifully at his fourth run back from a spell.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5
STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 11147
BUTTERBOOM
Race 9, No. 3
Going for Joe Pride in the last here, but for a good reason. Butterboom found plenty to win at this track on June 18, then ran a solid third there again last time out on July 2. Speedy and will take plenty of catching.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.40
JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 23x45
THUD
Race 8, No. 7
Has been luckless in two runs from a spell but is drawn to receive all the breaks here and should be stalking the speed, rounding the home turn. Tough nut to crack.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.70
SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman). Form: 0852x
THURSTON
Race 4, No. 5
Has been with Chris Waller for three runs. His first two were Super Impose-like, then was below his best when dropping back to 1500m. Steps up to 2000m here and was placed in the 2400m Australia Day Cup at his final run under Bryce Heys.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5
DARREN PRENDERGAST (SuperRacing). Form: 10375
THUD
Race 8, No. 7
Consistent mare due for change of luck after striking plenty of traffic in her two runs this campaign. Gets chance to atone with Tye Angland taking over from the holidaying Blake Shinn.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.70
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
CAULFIELD
MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Form: 53101
FEARLESS RAIDER
Race 3, No. 2
Lightly raced natural stayer who will thrive at 2000m.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.30
MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun). Form: 6221x
DUKE OF BRUNSWICK
Race 7, No. 3
Although he’s up two kilos he’s up against virtually the same field he defeated easily last start. Should get a great run again on the speed and should prove too good over this track and distance.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3
DARLY TIMMS (Herald Sun). Form: 21x12
FAST ‘N’ ROCKING
Race 8, No. 1
Freshened and will be in the finish in a competitive race.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20
CHRIS VERNUCCIO (SuperRacing). Form: 02461
DUKE OF BRUNSWICK
Race 7, No. 3
The market suggests this is a match race between he and Ulmann — and a dual between Dwayne Dunn and Craig Williams in the jockeys’ premiership. The Duke had Ulmann’s measure last start and although conceding 2kg this time, will be hard to hold out again.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
EAGLE FARM
SPORTSMAN PREVIEW: EAGLE FARM
NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Form: 1172x
GUARD OF HONOUR
Race 1, No. 2
Some are querying whether he will see out the 1200m, including trainer Kris Lees, but he looks to have a big class edge on these based on the figures he produced first up in Sydney. Should be too good.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.15
BEN DORRIES (The Courier-Mail). Form: 70x53
JIAYUGUAN
Race 4, No. 2
Hasn’t been at her best in Sydney recently but will thrive at this trip and much prefer her than the favourite Murphy’s Delight.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.50
BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin). Form: 23753
ONE INCH PUNCH
Race 5, No. 5
Open race but I think the bookies have got the market wrong here and I’m surprised Embley opened up close to $3 considering how far it is likely to get back from the very wide draw. One Inch Punch was pretty dominant over the 1350m at Doomben last start and this looks a lovely race for him. The mid barrier gives Jim Byrne plenty of options and I expect him to be hard to beat.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.50
NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 12162
GUARD OF HONOUR
Race 1, No. 2
Kris Lees-trained runner who was ultra impressive winning at Warwick Farm last start.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.15
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
GAWLER
BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser). Form: 03x42
EIGELSTEIN
Race 3, No. 2
Rejuvenated gelding from the Grant Young stable who hit the line strongly for impressive wins at his past two at Morphettville at double-figure odds. Shouldn’t find this much tougher and no reason he can’t complete the hat-trick.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.80
LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 13x62
ALLEZ TARA
Race 5, No. 1
Good winner two starts back before having solid specking from $18-$12 when nothing went right last time behind General Custer. Drawn out but in well with the claim and gets his chance, the $2.70 on UBET is short enough.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.90
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
Note: Prices correct at time of publishing
Originally published as Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping
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