Weekend Best Bets: Rosehill, Caulfield, Sunshine Coast, Morphettville

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

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

Last week … Four winners. SuperRacing’s Simon Moy nailed the best/value double with Lycurgus ($3.20) and Barthelona ($4.60). Glenn McFarlane also tipped Barthelona. Ray Thomas’s value bet (Plymouth Road, $5.20) delivered, while Ben Scadden finished his almost 30-year tenure at The Advertiser on a winning note with Exalted Adam ($5).

SATURDAY (AEST)

ROSEHILL GARDENS (9 races, start 11.30am), CAULFIELD (9 races, 11.45am), SUNSHINE COAST (9 races, 12.12pm), MORPHETTVILLE (8 races, 12.31pm), BELMONT (8 races, 2.33pm)

ROSEHILL GARDENS

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegragh) Form: 1s364

SO SPLENDID (Race 5, No. 2 — $5)

There was a good push for So Splendid first-up when she ran on well for third behind dominant winner La Chica Bella over 1500m at Rosehill two weeks ago. The two mares clash again over 1800m with a 2.5kg weight swing in So Splendid’s favour. The Chris Waller-trained So Splendid strips fitter, she enjoys soft tracks and excels over this distance.

Value bet: THE AVENGER (Race 8, No. 4 — $7.50)

MATT JONES (Daily Telegraph) Form: 12315

INVINZABEEL (Race 7, No. 7 — $5.50)

This race sets up well for him. He gets a 2.5kg weight swing on Flow and will come off a hot speed and let down well.

Value bet: GITAN (Race 2, No. 5 — $4.80)

STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegragh) Form: 2s168

ALASSIO (Race 4, No. 5 — $3.30)

An unbeaten mare from the Waterhouse/Bott team who handled the soft conditions to lead throughout at Randwick-Kensington last run. That followed an easy victory at Wyong. Will go straight to the front here again and give them plenty to chase.

Value bet: INVINZABEEL (Race 7, No. 7 — $5.50)

Invinzabeel is ready to win third-up in the Civic Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: AAP

BRAD DAVIDSON (Sky Racing) Form: 86332

SAYED (Race 6, No. 2 — $2.90)

Sets up pretty well here third-up at 2400m. He is a horse that loves the sting out of the track and he beat a lot of these home second-up. He has more upside than most of these heading out to a trip he relishes.

Value bet: LIGHTNING NIC (Race 8, No. 18 — $26)

SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman) Form: 2x39s

COSMIC ENGINE (Race 8, No. 8 — $11)

Is two starts, two wins first-up as a gelding. He has trialled really well again heading into his return. I also think it is significant that Blake Shinn rides the horse. Shinn won on him first-up at Canterbury last prep and is obviously a fan of the horse.

Value bet: ASTERIUS (Race 3, No. 5 — $11)

DARREN PRENDERGAST (SuperRacing). Form: 2x432

BUBBLES’N’TROUBLES (Race 1, No. 4 — $3.50)

Taking on the boys after scoring an impressive debut win on a heavy track at Warwick Farm. Looks a promising type.

Value bet: RED EXCITEMENT (Race 7, No. 2 — $15)

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

CAULFIELD

GLENN McFARLANE (Herald Sun). Form: x1312

MALAISE (Race 8, No. 3 — $3.60)

Strong run fresh when third behind Widgee Turf and Ashlor. Has good credentials second-up and well suited at 1400m.

Value bet: JUST HIFALUTIN (Race 5, No. 3 — $7)

SIMON MOY (SuperRacing). Form: 132x1

RILLITO (Race 5, No. 7 — $3.10)

Has good form second-up after just missing out at Moonee Valley. Just needs decent tempo and will be motoring home late.

Value bet: WISE HERO (Race 9, No. 5 — $7)

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (SuperRacing). Form: 1x112

MANTASTIC (Race 2, No. 8 — $3.30)

Looks a standout after a terrific effort in his first Australian start. After missing the jump, he finished in a dead-heat for second with Miles Of Krishan behind Barthelona. Both those horses won at Flemington last week.

Value bet: BEA TEMPTED (Race 3, No. 7 — $4.40)

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 73126

AL GAYALEL (Race 2, No. 3 — $2.15)

Former English galloper who could not have been more impressive winning his Australian debut at Sandown. In well at the weights after the claim and should record a fourth straight victory.

Value bet: CAPTAIN HARRY (Race 7, No. 11 — $9.50)

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

Mantastic (far left) stormed home to finish second to Barthelona last start. Barthelona has franked the form with a win at Flemington last weekend. Picture: Getty Images

SUNSHINE COAST

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Form: 03113

SEAWAY (Race 7, No. 3 — $2.60)

Looks a perfect set up for him getting onto the big track here after just failing to run down the stablemate at Doomben. No dramas on wet ground and should be stronger at the end than main rival The Bostonia.

Value bet: RINGO’S A ROCKSTAR (Race 6, No. 6 — $7)

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

MORPHETTVILLE

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 0312x

ASSERTIVE PLAY (Race 2, No. 1 — $2.30)

Super impressive coming off the speed and racing past a promising type in Thorondor last time. Looks nicely suited again here and should take a power of beating again.

Value bet: BAJAN (Race 8, No. 6)

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

*Note: TAB Fixed Odds prices correct at time of publishing

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets: Rosehill, Caulfield, Sunshine Coast, Morphettville