Last say: Sessions to shine through in The Shorts

They had a day to forget at Randwick last start, but racing editor Ray Thomas predicts the Darley juggernaut will turn things around this afternoon.

Sessions is primed to bounce back from his last-start loss.

ROYAL RANDWICK

Weather: Mostly sunny with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 21c.

Track: Dead (4)

Rail: True

CAULFIELD

Weather: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers in the late afternoon and a forecast top temperature of 21c.

Track: Slow (6)

Rail: 9m out

BE WARY: Royal Randwick's track surface has improved to a dead 4 but should stay in that range for the rest of the day. Inside runners have been favoured at Randwick at recent meetings and this may be the case again today as the field sizes are not large for most races. Race tempo will be a significant factor. Caulfield is rated a slow 6 and unlikely to improve given the weather forecast. The rail is out 9m which often favours inside runners but with the wet track conditions, swoopers should still get their chance, particularly later in the day.

ROYAL RANDWICK

BEST BET: Sessions (race 8)

Needs to stand up and be counted today - and I'm confident he will. This talented sprinter ran very well first-up when he only just failed to run down Decision Time in the Concorde Stakes.

Sessions suffered interference just as he was moving into the race and it cost him his chance to win last start. Lightly raced but loaded with natural ability, the Peter Snowden-trained four-year-old has always promised plenty and he gets the opportunity to realise that potential against a crack field of sprinters in The Shorts today.

He's up to the task. Back him with confidence.

NEXT BEST: Guelph (race 2)

Likely to start a very short-priced favourite but what is that saying: "Any price a winner is a good price!"

Guelph, also from the Snowden stable, won two Group 1 races last season and resumed with a close second to Bound For Earth in the Furious Stakes two weeks ago. These two fillies clash again in the Tea Rose Stakes but Guelph, fitter for that first-up run, is ready to exact revenge.

Significantly, Guelph can adapt to any race tempo so while this race, with only six runners, could well develop into a sprint home, the favourite won't be disadvantaged. Top-class filly and looks the winner.

VALUE BET: Sneak A Peek (race 7)

A former Group 2 winner in Italy, has been unplaced in all six Australian starts which is hardly a flattering formline for the Hill Stakes. But this race has been thrown wide open with the scratchings of the Chris Waller trio, Hawkspur, Beaten Up and Kelinni, and I really liked Sneak A Peek's effort when fifth behind Hawkspur in the Chelmsford Stakes last start.

Fitter for two runs from a spell and getting up to a more suitable distance at 2000m today. Sneak A Peek is around the $10 mark which is excellent value.

THE WHISPER: Twisted Emotions (race 1)

From the very much in-form John O'Shea stable, is on the quick back-up after a very good second behind the promising Hosting at Rosehill last week.

Twisted Emotions was starting to finish hard when he was checked inside the final 200m but then got going again to finish within a length of the winner.

The step up to 1600m on his home track today is ideal. Promising young galloper and this is his chance to break through for a deserved win.

Catkins (left) beat all-but Commanding Jewel last start and can win today.

CAULFIELD

BEST BET: Bec Said No Credit (race 1)

Just keeps on winning. She has won her last three starts including her strong-finishing effort to score over 1400m three weeks ago.

The handicapper hasn't caught up with her yet as she gets into today's race only 1.5kg over the limit.

Bec Said No Credit tends to settle about midfield in her races but she might be able to take up a closer position given her favourable draw (barrier six).

Either way, she will be finishing her race off strongly. She is a winner over this course and distance, handles rain-affected going, and is in the best form of her career. She ticks all the boxes.

NEXT BEST: Catkins (race 5)

Had to work hard early to get over from a wide barrier but then looked the winner when she dashed to the lead halfway down the straight but could not ward off Commanding Jewel's determined finish in the Let's Elope Stakes last start.

Terrific effort to beat all but a top-class mare last start. Racing in great form without winning this preparation. Again, the barrier draw hasn't been kind and she starts from the outside of the 12-horse field but if jockey Craig Newitt can get her into a reasonable position early, then Catkins will take a power of beating.

Don't be surprised if Catkins begins well that she goes forward and leads this field. She won the P.J. Bell Stakes third-up last preparation by leading throughout.

VALUE BET: Rockford (race 4)

An emerging three-year-old who won impressively first-up under 61.5kg at Kembla Grange then caught the eye with a very good fifth behind Long John in the Henry Bucks Stakes at Flemington.

The winner was too good that day but Rockford should have finished closer after being held up for a run twice at vital stages of the race. The Gai Waterhouse stable is flying in Melbourne at the moment and Rockford can keep the stable's winning momentum going.

THE WHISPER: Anise (race 2)

Hasn't won since she took out the Kindergarten Stakes in April, 2011, but don't let that deter you from backing this mare today. She is a very consistent sprinter who ran second in the Maurice McCarten Stakes at Rosehill and the Ortensia Stakes at Scone to end last season.

Her first-up effort was a beauty when closing for third behind Samaready at Group 3 level here three weeks ago. This is an easier race and if she can take advantage of her good barrier (three) and settle closer to the speed, she can finally end her win drought.

Reportedly working brilliantly at Flemington and will strip fitter today.

Justine Hales rides Foreteller after trackwork at Flemington this week.

THE BIG MONEY

ROYAL RANDWICK

Race 1, Altered Boy is $26 to $15 after a bet of $1000 at $18 with TAB Fixed Odds.

Race 2, Guelph has been well backed and is solid at $1.90 after two bets of $1000 at those odds while there is confidence about Arabian Gold beating the favourite with that filly firming from $3 to $2.60 after bets of $1800 and $1000 at $3, $1500 at $2.90 and $8000 at $2.80.

Race 3, Diamond Oasis is $6 to $5 after bets of $700 at $6 and $1333 at $5.50, Havana is solid at $17 after a $1000 wager at those odds.

Race 4, Field Marshall has firmed from $3.40 to $2.80 after bets of $1000 at $3.40, $1000 at $3.20 and $1000 at $3.

Race 5, the George Main Stakes, and Fawkner is $13 to $11 after a $4000 wager at $13, Hawkspur is solid at $2.70 after bets of $2000, $1100 and $1000 [thrice] at those odds, Royal Descent has firmed from $8 to $6 after bets of $535 and $500 at $8, $1250 at $7.50 and $1200 at $7, Dissident is $7.50 to $6 after bets of $2000 at $7.50 and $1500 at $7.

Race 6, Sizzling is $5 to $3.40 after bets of $1000 each way at $5/$1.84, $2000 at $4.40 and $2000 at $4.

Race 8, Spirit Of Boom is $13 to $12 after a $500 at $13, Aeronautical is $17 to $12 after a bet of $400 each way at $16/$4.15, Sessions is firm at $2.50 after two bets of $1000 at those odds.

CAULFIELD

Race 2, Shamal Wind is $4.20 to $3.70 after a $1000 wager at $4.

Race 5, Catkins is $6.50 to $4.40 after a $1000 bet at $5.50, Octavia is $4.20 to $4 after a $1400 bet at $4.20. Race 6, Rhythm To Spare has firmed from $6 to $4 after bets of $1000 at $5.50 and $1000 each way at $4.80/$1.95, Richie's Vibe is $13 to $9 after bets of $600 at $13 and $1000 at $11.

Race 7, Politeness has firmed from $4 to $3 after bets of $1333 at $4, $1000 at $3.70 and $1000 [twice] at $3.50.

Race 8, Pakal is $4 to $3.80 after bets of $800 at $4 and $1250 at $3.90.

Race 9, the Underwood Stakes and Foreteller is $31 to $21 after a $500 wager at $23, Atlantic Jewel dominates betting but is out to $1.60 despite bets of $1000 at $1.45, $9000, and $5000 [twice] and $1000 at $1.50, and $5000 and $1350 at $1.45.

TAB FIXED ODDS MULTIS

$10,000 Double at $2.61 on Atlantic Jewel (Underwood Stakes) / Atlantic Jewel (Cox Plate)

$3,500 Double at $2.50 on Atlantic Jewel (Underwood Stakes) / Atlantic Jewel (Cox Plate)

$3,000 Double at $4.05 on Hawkspur (George Main Stakes) / Atlantic Jewel (Underwood Stakes)

$2,750 Double at $2.50 on Atlantic Jewel (Underwood Stakes) / Atlantic Jewel (Cox Plate)

INTERSTATE

Eagle Farm race 1: Flying Home

Eagle Farm race 6: Theft

Morphettville race 2: Stella Lante

Morphettville race 6: Star Rolling

PROVINCIAL MAIL

Kembla Grange race 7: Vitello

Kembla Grange race 8: Casiroll

#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners.