Weekend Best Bets
OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.
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)
KURO
Race 9, No. 1
Graduated from a midweek win at Warwick Farm to a Group 1 placing at Flemington on Derby Day during an outstanding spring campaign. Along the way, he reeled off four wins in succession including two at stakes level before his third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. A very promising three-year-old who has had two barrier trials to prepare for his return in the Fireball Stakes. Brilliant colt and clearly the one to beat.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.60
NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph)
KURO
Race 9, No. 1
Class animal who returned genuine Group 1 figures last campaign.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.60
STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph)
KURO
Race 9, No. 1
Ran right away to score in the Brian Crowley Stakes in October and then spelled after a strong minor placing over 1200m at Flemington on November 1. Fitter for two trials and won first-up last time in. Will take a lot of beating here.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.60
JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph)
RUBICK
Race 8, No. 8
Rubick has been the star trackwork horse at Rosehill for the past month and is set to launch his autumn assault on Saturday. Tough nut to crack.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3
DARREN PRENDERGAST (Super Racing)
SWEYNESSE
Race 6, No. 5
Produced cracking first-up run, charging to the line after being held up at the 300m to finish narrow second to Hallowed Crown. Will be suited by the 1600m at Randwick and did win the Spring Stakes second-up over the mile in the spring. Also helps that stable and jockey are flying.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20
MATT TAYLOR (Fox Sports)
KURO
Race 9, No. 1
This outstanding colt returns for his autumn campaign and could cap off a potentially massive day for the Joe Pride stable. The fastest horse in the field by some distance, Hugh Bowman will have him ready to pounce after a soft run just off the speed. The $2.60 will not last so get on now.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.60
NICK QUINN (TAB)
RUBICK
Race 8, No. 8
Boom colt who couldn’t have been more impressive winning the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes last campaign. Trialled well recently between Sweet Idea and well placed to return with a win.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3
FLEMINGTON
MATT STEWART (Herald Sun)
HARVEY’S TRUE HEART
Race 9, No. 11
Each run this campaign has been better than the previous. This is perfect race for him.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5
ROD NICHOLSON (Herald Sun)
MISSY LONGSTOCKING
Race 2, No. 1
Ran home strongly enough behind Chautauqua in the Group 2 Rubiton last start. Has great strike rate and looks the goods against own sex here.
TAB Fixed Odds: $1.95
MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun)
AFLEET ESPRIT
Race 2, No. 3
Forgive her first-up effort as she was trapped wide throughout at Caulfield. She looked top class last spring and is a straight track winner.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.20
DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun)
ALPINE EAGLE
Race 7, No. 10
Wasn’t entitled to win last week. Flemington will suit much better and should win again.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5.50
SIMON MOY (Super Racing)
POLITENESS
Race 6, No. 1
Made ground late when resumed for third at Caulfield three weeks ago. Doesn’t have good record at Flemington but look for that to change on Saturday. Smart mare, who is a dual Group 3 winner.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.20
SUNSHINE COAST
NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail)
CHARGE ACCOUNT
Race 6, No. 2
Always carried a reputation in Sydney, but never really lived up to it, albeit winning a couple of handy races. Took a couple of runs to hit his straps up here, then exploded away to win easily at the Gold Coast last time, easily clocking the best figures of the day. Placegetters from that race cleared out for a dominant 1-2 finish at Ipswich on Wednesday. Only has to repeat that rating to take a power of beating.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5
BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin)
JOPA
Race 7, No. 7
Looks a terrific each-way bet at about the $8 mark. He really caught the eye when making good ground from the tail the other day and he should be able to settle much closer from the inside gate here. Meets a horse like The Peak, who is half his price, 5.5kg better off from last start.
TAB Fixed Odds: $7
Originally published as Weekend Best Bets
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