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 - OCTOBER 04: Blake Shinn rides First Seal to win the Coolmore Flight Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 4, 2014 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.

MOONEE VALLEY (Friday night)

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun) Form: 33312

NOBLE PROTECTOR

Race 6, No.4

She’s at a short quote but she should be winning again after toying with similar field when first-up winner at Flemington over 1600m. Remember last spring she made Contributer work to beat her at Caulfield.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.50

ROSEHILL (Saturday)

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Tipster’s recent form: 51312

LEEBAZ

Race 3, No.2

Was competitive against Group 1 weight-for-age sprinters when a first-up sixth in the Canterbury Stakes. He’s much better suited under the quality handicap conditions of the Doncaster Prelude and the step up to 1500m is another big plus. Also has an excellent strike-rate second-up.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.50

NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph). Form: 21324

FIRST SEAL

Race 6, No.1

Just too good for them back to fillies’ grade.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.80

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 41306

DIAMOND VALORES

Race 8, No. 2

Diamond Valores appreciated the blinkers back on last time in the Phar Lap Stakes, stretching out nicely over the concluding stages. Skipped the Rosehill Guineas last week to be saved for this and that’s the confidence punters like to see.

TAB Fixed Odds: $7

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 32

CATKINS

Race 4, No.1

Wonderful mare who loves Rosehill having won seven times in 13 attempts. Racing in career best form and will enjoy a drop back grade returning to Group 2 level and looks well placed to continue her dominance against her fellow sex.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.80

SIMON MOY (Super Racing). Form: 6

FIRST SEAL

Race 6, No.1

The obvious class factor. Did nothing wrong when just edged out against her older rivals in the Coolmore Classic (1500m). Hugh Bowman takes over and don’t see a problem with the stretch out to 2000m. She is short but that’s because she will get the chocolates.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.80

GILBERT GARDINER (Network Sport)

ALL CERISE

Race 2, No.9

Lightly-raced Redoute’s Choice mare out of the Chris Waller yard who made good ground in unfavourable going last start behind smart Mahican. Will benefit from 2kg drop in the weights and Damien Oliver to pilot. A winner track and trip, expect Ollie to take the sit and have the last crack at the them.

TAB Fixed Odds: $17

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Super Racing). Form: 11236

TO THE WORLD

Race 7, No.7

Was the highest rated three-year-old in Japan last season and has missed a top-two finish only twice in 10 starts. Japanese have proven their quality already with Real Impact winning the George Ryder and Tosen Stardom running second in the Ranvet last weekend.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.30

MORNINGTON

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Tipster’s recent form: 1264

ANTARCTIC MISSILE

Race 2, No.5

Smart mare with brilliant turn of foot. Should get nice smother off good speed and then go bang.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.20

ROD NICHOLSON (Herald Sun). Form: 13668

CARASHAN GIRL

Race 6, No.7

Flying mare who worked superbly at Moonee Valley on Monday morning. Won with ease at Sale and with claim and good barrier will be hard to beat.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4

DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun). Form: 15231

UNDER TTHE LOUVRE

Race 8, No.3

Has had two good trails since finishing a narrow second in the Oakleigh Plate and will have freshened up nicely for this.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20

DOOMBEN

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Tipster’s recent form: 1162

HIGHLY GENTLE

Race 2, No.7

Ridden more aggressively last time and he fought on tenaciously. The prospect of a softer track won’t hurt him easier. Gets 5kg off the favourite Perplexity and have to favour him under those circumstances.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets