Last say: Team Hawkes set for a big day at Rosehill Gardens with Entirely Platinum

RACING expert Ray Thomas delivers the last say for today’s races, including his top selections, best value and warnings for punters.

Leebaz, with James McDonald aboard, wins at Warwick Farm recently. Picture: Mark Evans

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Weather: Mild, partly cloudy day with isolated showers and a forecast top temperature of 24c.

Track: Heavy (8)

Rail: 4m out

FLEMINGTON

Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with morning showers clearing and a forecast top temperature of 22c.

Track: Good (3)

Rail: 6m out

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BE WARY: Some showers overnight has tipped Rosehill back into the heavy range for Slipper Day. With the weather improving today, there is a chance of an upgrade but the track will remain in the slow range. The rail is out 4m but the track raced fairly last week with winners coming from everywhere although the wider you get seems to be a disadvantage. Flemington’s good rating should provide an even, fair racing surface.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

THE BEST BET: Entirely Platinum (race 2) was dominant first-up at Warwick Farm, winning by three lengths on a heavy track and he has then scored comfortable wins at his next two starts including his breakthrough feature race win in the Sky High Stakes last start. Talented. emerging stayer with loads of potential. This is tougher again but he keeps winning. The wet track conditions suit him, he races up on the speed making his own luck, and this horse is in the zone right now.

At the weights Catkins looks a good thing in the Emancipation Stakes. Picture: Simon Bullard

THE NEXT BEST: Catkins (race 4) will be very short but only bad luck will beat her. Top class mare who was very good winning the Breeders Classic and Wiggle Stakes then tried very hard when third to Steps In Time in the Coolmore Classic. The race didn’t work out well for her last start but as always this mare didn’t shirk her task at any stage. Terrific mare with outstanding wet track form, excels on her home track, and is well weighted for today’s race.

VALUE BET: Lord Beckworth (race 1) scored a good win at Wyong, finishing hard to beat a smart field and then was outstanding in defeat when a fast-finishing third to Hampton Court at Newcastle. He was held up for a run well into the straight but when clear he really charged to the line. This is a big jump in grade but promising youngster suited at 1400m and also by the rain-affected conditions. Terrific value at double figure odds.

Leebaz, with James McDonald aboard, wins at Warwick Farm recently. Picture: Mark Evans

THE WHISPER: Leebaz (race 9) faces his big test today but he is a very promising galloper. Lightly-raced four-year-old building up an imposing record now with five wins (one second) from just seven starts.

Unbeaten this preparation with impressive wins at Randwick and Warwick Farm. Likes to lead or settle right up on the speed and has a very good turn of foot late in his races.

He also won on slow track conditions previously and his barrier draw (four) will enable his rider to virtually control this race. One of the better bets on Slipper Day.

FLEMINGTON

THE BEST BET: Akzar (race 6) is a rejuvenated racehorse this campaign. He resumed from a let-up to romp home at a Moonee Valley night meeting, then scored successive wins at Flemington, winning both with ease.

He has unleashed an impressive burst of acceleration over the closing stages of his races at his last two starts in particular to win with real authority.

Shocking barrier and a huge field to get around but this horse is going so well that he will most likely find a way to win again.

The roomy Flemington track really suits him and with the big field comes pressure so this race will be run at a genuine tempo.

He can keep the winning momentum going and make it four straight.

Moonee Valley races. Race 8. Darren Gauci wins on Akzar in the Baulderstone Handicap.

NEXT BEST: Gig (race 3) ran a blinder at Group 1 level in the William Reid Stakes, finishing sixth but less than two lengths from the winner Spirit Of Boom.

Super return to racing suggesting this mare is back better than ever. If she ran up to that effort, surely she wins this race.

Back to mares grade, on her favourite track where she has won three of her seven starts including a win over this course and distance.

A big field of mares but there are not many winning chances. Back Gig with confidence.

VALUE BET: Search Squad (race 4) is at huge odds for this race but I expect he will prove very competitive.

He has been racing in much weaker grade on the Victorian bush circuit but has improved with every run and his last start effort was tremendous.

He came from well back on the turn with a powerful surge to swamp his rivals and win at Cranbourne, his performance indicative of a horse on the rise.

This is a massive jump in grade but there is something about this horse that has taken my eye. Definitely worth having something each way.

Shamal Wind finds a much easier assignment than she’s had in recent runs.

THE WHISPER: Shamal Wind (race 7) is a good short-course sprinter who resumed with a good win in the Adam Stakes at Caulfield, finishing fast to run down General Truce.

She ran well in the Oakleigh Plate to run seventh, beaten about four lengths by Lankan Rupee. This is obviously a much easier assignment and she is a winner up the straight.

The claim beings her in just 2.5kg over the limit so she ticks all the boxes.

THE BIG MONEY

ROSEHILL GARDENS

In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds report a good move for Veuvelicious who is $15 to $8.

In race 3, Hot Snitzel is $11 to $8 including a wager of $400 at $9.50, and That’s A Good Idea is $3.20 to $3 after a bet of $1000 at $3.20.

Race 4, Catkins is $1.85 to $1.70 after bets of $2000 and $1000 [multiple times] at $1.85, $4500 at $1.80 and $2000 at $1.70, Sharnee Rose is firm at $8.50 after a bet of $1000 at those odds, Wistful is $23 to $21 after a bet of $660 at $23.

Race 5, Pheidon is $4.60 to $4.20 after a bet of $1500 at $4.60, Best Case is $11 to $9.50 after a bet of $500 at $11, High Tec is $26 to $13 after a bet of $500 each way at $26/$7.06.

Race 6, It’s A Dundeel is firm at $3.80 after a $1200 wager at those odds, Voleuse De Coeurs is a big firmer $21 to $9.50.

Race 7, Solicit is $6 to $5 after a bet of $2100 at $6, Miss Mossman is Miss Mossman $15 to $13 and there was a $500 wager on Suavito at $15, Interspersed is $26 to $15 after bets of $400 at $21 and $400 at $15.

Race 8, there was a wager of $1000 at $15 on Unencumbered, Valentia has been well backed including bets of $4000, $1000 and $500 each way at $21, Earthquake is an easing $2.50 favourite despite bets of $2000 [twice] and $1000 [thrice] at $2.30, and $1500 at $2.40, Mossfun is $6 to $$4.40 after bets of $2000 and $800 at $6, $2740, $2000 and $1000 at $5.50 and $50,000 at $4.80, Oakleigh Girl has been well supported with bets of ($3000 [twice] and $2000 at $17, Bring Me The Maid is $13 to $11 after bets of $1300, $1000 and $600 at $13.

Race 9, Leebaz is $4.60 to $3 after bets of $1500 at $4.60, $1500 at $4.20, $1000 at $3.60, $2000 and $1000 at $3.40.

FLEMINGTON

In race 1, River Delta is $3 to $2.70 after bets of $2000 at $2.90 and $1000 at $2.80.

Race 2, Jarklin is $11 to $5.50 after a bet of $600 at $9.50.

Race 4, The Bowler is firm at $7 after a $500 each way bets, Vero Beach is $10 to $7 after bets of $480 at $10 and $500 at $8.

Race 5, Resistant has been well supported and is $31 to $8.50, Red Spyder is $21 to $17 after a bet of $500 each way at $21/$5.44, Gambaccini is $31 to $21 and Written is $5.50 to $4.60 after bets of $1200 at $5.50 and $800 at $4.60.

Race 6, Escado is $31 to $21, Keep De Rose is $15 to $7.50 and Our Voodoo Prince is $11 to $7.50.

Race 7, Henwood is $8 to $6.50. Race 8, Cosmic Causeway is $21 to $11.

INTERSTATE

Eagle Farm race 2: Lady Echelon

Eagle Farm race 6: Pitt Street

Morphettville race 6: Generous Beau

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