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 18: Blake Shinn rides Kuro during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 18, 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.

RANDWICK

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Tipster’s form: 31236

KURO

Race 5, No.4

Has been improved by two runs from a spell including his good second to the top mare Sweet Idea in The Galaxy. This brilliant three-year-old gets better the longer his preparations go and he was devastating third-up last campaign when he romped away with the Heritage Stakes. Kuro goes extra well at Royal Randwick and handles rain-affected going.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3

NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph). Form: 32422

TO THE WORLD

Race 9, No.10

Best over 2000m and his run first-up over 2400m was huge.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4

STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 83x

HARTNELL

Race 8, No.6

How do you go past a horse who looks a real topliner in the making? The John O’Shea-trained four-year-old raced clear to score at Rosehill in the Sky High Stakes, then repeated the dose with another dominant performance in The BMW on March 28. Drops in weight here and should continue on his winning way without any real problems.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.20

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 30663

RUBICK

Race 5, No.2

Rubick has been difficult to catch this prep but his legion of fans should stick solid here with Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira engaged to ride. Been one of the biggest market firmers ($15 to $6) for the carnival.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Super Racing). Form: 12362

HARTNELL

Race 8, No.6

Has been one of the stars of the autumn and is superbly weighted to add another Group 1 here. Drops 5.5 kilos to 52kg after scoring a dominant win in the weight-for-age BMW last start. Handles soft going and won at his only start over 3200m in England last year.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.20

FLEMINGTON

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Tipster’s form: 26444

WE’VE GOT THIS

Race 3, No.10

Looked really promising last prep, without luck. Can resume with a win.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.50

ROD NICHOLSON (Herald Sun). Form: 66804

THE BOWLER

Race 8, No.7

Won past two in good style, the latest over 1400m at Bendigo. Extra 200m should suit and he drops 5.5kg on latest win.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6.50

DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun). Form: 23111

BALL OF MUSCLE

Race 5, No.1

Half-brother to Terravista. Has sensational speed and is in Melbourne for softer options.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.10

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 321

BALL OF MUSCLE

Race 5, No.1

Younger brother to well known sprinters Tiger Tees and Terravista who is building an impressive resume of his own with seven wins from 10 starts, including a 100 per cent strike rate over the distance. Looked super in a recent barrier trial and should be winning.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.10

DOOMBEN

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Tipster’s recent form: 16212

WHISKEY ALLROUND

Race 9, No.10

Finally lived up to his early two-year-old promise over the summer, stringing three wins together before a top effort behind Big Money when jumping to stakes grade. Drawn to get a kind run behind the hot speed and will finish off strongly.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin). Form: 865

SHEISWHATSHEIS

Race 5, No.4

Classy filly who did it at both ends at Ipswich last start and was still far too good. Should lead on her ear here and looks the one to beat. Oriental Lady in race three also looks hard to beat.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.70

MORPHETTVILLE

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser)

ZOLT

Race 7, No.9

Lightly-raced three-year-old bred to stay as he is a half-brother to former to star New Zealander (King) Mushafa. Liked the way he won first-up at a mile and should get better with distance and racing.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser)

AMAVERDE

Race 6, No.9

Consistent gelding from the powerful Darren Weir yard who surged clear to win strongly first-up at Pakenham. He’s built up a good record and draws nicely with Clare Lindop in the saddle.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20

Originally published as Weekend Best Bets