Weekend Best Bets: Tips for Flemington and Randwick

Check out our tipsters’ best and value bets for the weekend at Flemington and Randwick.

King Of Sparta is chasing another Group 3 win in the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Our experts give you an early shot at finding a winner this weekend.

Saturday: RANDWICK (10 races, start 11.20am), FLEMINGTON (9 races, 12.10pm), DOOMBEN (9 races, 11.28am), MURRAY BRIDGE (9 race, 12.22pm), BELMONT (12 races, 11.59am). All times EST

FLEMINGTON

BRAD WATERS (Racenet)

KING OF SPARTA (Race 5, No.3 – $2.70)

Fought on well to win the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. He’ll tackle the straight on Saturday but there’s no reason he can’t show his quality again.

Value bet: RIGEL STAR (R3 No.7 – $17)

STEPHEN BRASSEL (National Racing Editor)

QUINTELLO (Race 2, No.3 – $3.80)

Quality mare winner two from three first-up and last time when resuming won by four lengths. Forget her last run before a let-up when wide, no cover throughout and she’s ideally placed to win again.

Value bet: HILAL (Randwick Race 8, No.2 – $17)

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (Racing News Editor)

KING OF SPARTA (Race 5, No.3 – $2.70)

Handled the wet conditions at Caulfield for a strong win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes and should have more to offer here, particularly if the track can dry out.

Value bet: SQUID GAME (Race 9, No. 7 – $5.50)

GLENN McFARLANE (Herald Sun)

NICOLINI VITO (Race 8, No.4 – $2.30)

Made a super impressive return last start and has won four of his past five starts.

Value bet: SELBUROSE (Race 9, No.6 – $34)

SIMON MOY (NewsRacing)

KING OF SPARTA (Race 5, No.3 – $2.70)

Really strong in the Bletchingly and should be able to repeat the job here.

Value bet: SOMERSET MAUGHAM (Race 6, No.9 – $9)

NICOLE THOMAS (TAB)

NICOLINI VITO (Race 8, No.4 – $2.30)

Looks well placed to make it back-to-back victories following a winning return here last start.

Value bet: CASHIN’ CHEX (Race 6, No.8 – $12)

Nicolini Vito winning in his return at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

ROYAL RANDWICK

MATT JONES (Daily Telegraph)

MAOTAI (Race 6, No.1 – $3.10)

He’s come back a gelding and I loved the fact he took a sit in his barrier trial so we may see an improved horse fresh and Hugh Bowman stays on after trialling him up.

Value bet: RUPERTAAR (Race 10 No.4 – $19)

JETT HATTON (Racenet)

MAOTAI (Race 6, No.1 – $3.10)

This now four-year-old returns as a gelding and that could be the making of him into an elite racehorse. Wasn’t far off some of the top sprinters of his age last year and proved himself against the older brigade with a strong performance in the Star Kingdom Stakes. Carries the big weight here but has a class edge on the field.

Value bet: ENCHANTED HEART (Race 8, No.12 – $5)

ADAM SHERRY (Sportsman)

CONQUEROR (Race 4, No.13 – $2.10)

Debuted with a nice win on the Kensington track back in February from Seven Veils who went on to win the Reisling Stakes at her next start. Has trialled well ahead of his return and can make it two from two in his return.

Value bet: IT’S TRUE (Race 9, No.8 – $8)

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets: Tips for Flemington and Randwick