Friday formline: Horses, jockeys and trainers to follow this weekend

OUR stable of experts pinpoint the horses, jockeys and trainers to follow this weekend.

OUR stable of experts pinpoint the horses, jockeys and trainers to follow this weekend.

SATURDAY MEETINGS (AEST Times)

RANDWICK (10 races, start 12.10pm), MORNINGTON (10 races, start 12pm),

DOOMBEN (8 races, start 1.28pm), MORPHETTVILLE (8 races, start 1.08pm),

ASCOT (8 races, start 3.54pm).

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman)

RANDWICK

THE BANKER: DANCES ON STARS (Race 9, No. 3)

Was going great guns prior to his latest 8th of 16 in the Doncaster Prelude but to be fair, the horse was only beaten 2.4-lengths and he didn’t have all that much room to show his wares over the final stages. There is no doubt he’ll be strong to the line now over the 1400m but his outcome is very much tempo and track bias related; neither of which we can guarantee.

IN THE FRAME: INDEX LINKED (Race 8, No. 8)

Also comes via the Doncaster Prelude; in his case, he was first-up and seemingly didn’t do much on paper finishing 12th of the 16. In truth, his run was far better than that, he was closing up along the inside and cut the margin down to 3.8-lengths. He has trialled sine and went super — massive player here second-up at big odds.

THE RISK: ENGLISH (Race 7, No. 7)

It takes a good 3YO filly to win a G1 WFA and no doubt English is good and this isn’t a vintage All Aged but, even so, there are some serious horses engaged and they aren’t paying $5!

THE JOCKEY: Take your pick, Bowman, Oliver, McDonald ... who will it be this week?

Boo Bailey’s cartoon tip for Randwick on Saturday.

Avdulla could be the one and he’s on some over-priced horses.

THE TRAINER: We could save time and just say Waller ... but that’s boring. Gerald Ryan looks like he’s going to have a profitable day.

DANNY RUSSELL (Herald Sun)

CAULFIELD

THE BANKER: BONDEIGER (Race 7, No. 1)

With the set weights and penalties conditions across a number of races at Caulfield on Saturday it should be a punters’ paradise. To my eye, Bondeiger looks extremely well treated. Forget that he hasn’t won for 18 months. He finished second to Preferment in the VRC Derby, goes best third-up and has run some crackers at this track and distance. Oh, did I mention that we should forget he hasn’t won in 18 months?

IN THE FRAME: ZEBRINZ (Race 4, No. 2)

Is another to have been beautifully weighted. Caught out last start by a hot speed behind Charmed Harmony and eventual winner Black Heart Bart. Improves as he gets deeper into a campaign and will relish the step out to 1600m.

THE RISK: THE QUARTERBACK (Race 6, No. 1)

Despite Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback looking the best weighted horse on the program with 59kg, the track poses a conundrum. The rail is out 9m, which usually plays to leaders. The Quarterback misses the kick, settles back and often needs luck around a bend. The $2.45 on offer is less appealing than it appears on paper.

Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback steps out at Caulfield on Saturday.

THE TRAINER: DARREN WEIR

Sheer weight of numbers again point to Weir. Scarlet Billows (Race 3, No. 2) looks his best, but great chances in Approved Anger (Race 5, No. 7) and Thermal Current (Race 6, No. 2).

THE JOCKEY: BRAD RAWILLER

If Weir has a good day, so does Rawiller. He rides Approved Anger and Thermal Current and could bring home the quaddie on Shades Of Bella (Race 9, No. 14) in the last.

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail)

TOOWOOMBA

THE BANKER: HONEY TOAST (Race 6, No. 3)

Unblemished record over the middle distances, warmed up with top effort over the mile last time and that’s been the platform for each of his 2000m+ wins. Specifically set for this race and drawn to get every chance.

IN THE FRAME: SUGARPARMA (Race 4, No. 10)

Returns to Queensland after mixing it against some classy ones south of the border. Was hardly disgraced in Sydney, then placed in a hot Wellington Boot. The quinella pair from that race have both gone on to race well in stakes races over The Championships. This looks a big class drop for her.

THE RISK: AMIZADE (Race 2, No. 6)

Hasn’t won a race for 525 days and was fair first-up, but hardly screamed out ‘be on me next time’ winding up 4-lengths from the winner. Only second-up off a long break and draws a bad alley. Hard to see how she’s come up fav in some markets.

THE TRAINER: MICHAEL NOLAN

Won two races on this day last year and always sets his team to be peaking for this day. Jumbo Prince (Race 7, No. 4) looms as a big hope to give him a third Weetwood, while his support cast includes consistent filly Dream Finnish (Race 5, No. 11) and the talented Upstart Pride (Race 8, No. 7).

THE JOCKEY: JAMES ORMAN

Life begins for Orman this week without the use of his claim. Trainers have shown the regard they hold him in, booking him for seven rides on the day. No standouts, but he will be desperate to make a noise early on in the next, important, phase of his career.

Trainer Michael Nolan will have a strong team at Toowoomba on Saturday. Picture: Jack Tran

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser)

MORPHETTVILLE

THE BANKER: HIGH CHURCH (Race 2, No. 1)

Comes to Adelaide on the back of a good front-running victory in Melbourne. He draws out but should be able to work forward and find the lead and is sure to take running down with Katelyn Mallyon in the saddle.

IN THE FRAME: SMART MANOEUVRE (Race 6, No. 11)

Was well in the market and made good ground behind Moqla last time. The blinkers go on here and expect a bold showing second-up.

THE RISK: EVIL DREAMS (Race 5, No. 1)

Is a promising type with three wins from seven starts who ran well behind the in-form Shaf last time. He’s drawn out here which is a concern.

THE TRAINER: LEON MACDONALD and ANDREW GLUYAS

Macdonald and Gluyas are flying coming off a feature race double last weekend. They have key runners in the Port Adelaide Guineas — Mail It In (Race 7, No. 4) and Battle Brewing (No. 13) — along with a host of runners locally. Royal Rumble (Caulfield, Race 5, No. 2) also looks a massive chance with Nick Hall taking the ride.

THE JOCKEY: JOHN ALLEN

Allen is best known for his prowess over the fences but has some key rides including Howard Be Thy Name (Race 7, No. 5) in the Port Adelaide Guineas for Darren Weir. The horse was runner-up in the Tasmanian Derby in February. He’ll also ride Master Of Arts (Race 3, No. 2) for Weir and Stratacombe (Race 8, No. 7) for former champion jumps jockey Brett Scott in the the last.

Originally published as Friday formline: Horses, jockeys and trainers to follow this weekend