Weekend Best Bets

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

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: James McDonald ( Blue Cap ) rides San Diego to win race 4, The Blackwoods Bosch Blue Handicap during Sydney racing at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Anthony Johnson/Getty Images)

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

ROSEHILL

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph)

SPEAK FONDLY

Race 4, No.6

Speak Fondly was run down in the final few strides by Always Allison in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. It was a very good comeback run from Speak Fondly and she will strip fitter here. She is awkwardly drawn but has the early speed to negate her wide barrier. Speak Fondly is very highly regarded by the Gai Waterhouse stable and she can secure a Golden Slipper start by winning the Magic Night Stakes.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60

NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph)

FIRST SEAL

Race 7, No.4

Super filly who has a few lengths on these. So long as she gets cover early she’ll finish over the top of them late.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.70

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph)

RED EXCITEMENT

Race 9, No.5

Red Excitement was a victim of circumstances when they sprinted in the Liverpool City Cup, being caught on the inside of a bias Warwick Farm track, which was playing to the swoppers. His subsequent form was first class. Stick with him.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Super Racing)

SAN DIEGO

Race 9, No.10

Charged late to score narrow win first-up after a long break. Is sure to have benefited from the run and although up in class, he looks to have the ability to handle the rise.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6.50

MATT TAYLOR (Fox Sports)

HARTNELL

Race 6, No.7

Hartnell flew hope for second in the Chipping Norton behind his stablemate and will go one better on Saturday. First Seal is the best three-year-old filly in Sydney, if not Australia, and will make light work of this lot.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.80

NICK QUINN (TAB)

FIRST SEAL

Race 7, No.4

On a tough day keep it simple and nearly double your money on this rising star who bolted in last start and against her own sex should win again on her way to the Doncaster.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.70

FLEMINGTON

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun)

MANHATTAN BLUES

Race 3, No.1

Outside the winner was the run of the race in the Blue Diamond; lugged in last 300m but still charged. This trip/class perfect.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3

ROD NICHOLSON (Herald Sun)

LANKAN RUPEE

Race 6, No.1

Champion sprinter who was dazzling in Lightning Stakes win. Carries extra weight in bid to win back-to-back Newmarket Handicaps, but is working brilliantly and should control race from outside barrier.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.10

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun)

SUAVITO

Race 4, No.5

The race panned out perfectly for her in the Futurity Stakes but she still won impressively. Can make it four on end.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.30

DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun)

SET SQUARE

Race 8, No.3

Just missed last start but retains 100 per cent strike rate for the place. Will again show her quality.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.40

SIMON MOY (Super Racing)

LANKAN RUPEE

Race 6, No.1

The people’s champion has returned in scintillating form with a runaway Lightning Stakes win. Carries extra weight in pursuit of back-to-back Newmarkets, but appears cherry ripe and has been working the house down.

TAB Fixed odds: $3.10

GOLD COAST

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin)

PILLAR OF CREATION

Race 6, No.1

Super Queensland debut the other day when he finished off to run fourth despite sitting three wide throughout. Expect further improvement here and $13 is still available in some places.

TAB Fixed Odds: $9

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets