Saturday racing: The Last Say with Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas
SATURDAY racing comes to you today from Rosehill Gardens and Caulfield. Here’s all the last minute tips from Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.
SATURDAY racing comes to you today from Rosehill Gardens and Caulfield. Here’s all the last minute tips and info from Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.
ROSEHILL GARDENS
Weather: Cool, sunny day with a light breeze and a forecast top temperature of 16c.
Track: Heavy (8)
Rail: True
CAULFIELD
Weather: Cold, cloudy day with a chance of a shower or two and forecast top temperature of just 13c.
Track: Good (4)
Rail: 9m out
BE WARY: The Rosehill rail shift from 3m last Saturday to 8m out today will bring most runners onto a relatively unused part of the track. I still suspect, particularly later in the day, the jockeys will be scouting wide from the turn, Caulfield’s rail placement of 9m out would suggest leaders are favoured but often this can become a swooper’s track. Watch for any possible track bias in early races.
ROSEHILL GARDENS
THE BEST BET: Vanbrugh (race 1) resumes today but has been readied for the race with two solid barrier trial hit-outs, the most recent a super-impressive win at Rosehill last week. He did score first-up at his debut preparation, unleashing a powerful finishing sprint and is primed to do something similar today. Promising colt and a potential spring carnival contender.
THE NEXT BEST: Moral Victory (race 8) has been improved by three runs from a spell including his close third to Rockalong at Rosehill three weeks ago. He led for home last start and fought gamely right to the line. Drawn to get the right run today, possibly just in behind the speed, and very well in at the weights. He likes Rosehill and ticks all the boxes today.
VALUE BET: Straturbo (race 7) was in a position to challenge first-up but faded late when fourth to Brook Road at Rosehill three weeks ago. He needs to make up four lengths on Brook Road today but he does meet that mare 2kg better at the weights. Fitter now and is over the odds at $26. If the track rating improves into the soft range, his winning chances will rise. He’s a terrific each-way chance.
THE WHISPER: Duccio (race 4) resumes over 1500m but he has been trained up for his return. Duccio has had three solid barrier trial hit-outs, the most recent a convincing win in a 1200m heat at Randwick. Handles wet tracks and was stakes placed at 1600m last spring. He can make his presence felt.
CAULFIELD
THE BEST BET: Charmed Harmony (race 6) looks to lead on his own today and if that is the case, he will be very, very hard to run down. Tough and very fit, he comes to Caulfield on the back of successive placings behind Red Bomber at Caulfield and then Orion at Moonee Valley. Drops significantly in weight and this is a very winnable race.
NEXT BEST: Lord Of The Sky (race 8) will be very short in betting but he should just win. He won this race very easily last year and although he hasn’t won a race since, he has never raced in better fork. It took superstar Chautauqua to run him down in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick then was caught by Flamberge in the Group 1 Goodwood. Kept fresh for this, excels and Caulfield and impossible to tip against him.
VALUE BET: Lirabird (race 7) scored impressively at her first two starts at Pakenham and Bendigo than ran very well for second to Faction over the Flemington 1200m straight track. She’s had a month between runs and is coming back to 1100m. Drawn the rails, will get the run of the race and does close her races out strongly. Lirabird makes appeal at near double figure odds.
THE WHISPER: Raposo (race 5) has improved steadily with each run this preparation, breaking through third-up score a strong win at Moonee Valley. Missed the start, settled at the rear of the field and was far too good for his rivals that day. With Duke Of Brunswick’s scratching Raposo looks a standout selection.
THE BIG MONEY AND MARKET MOVERS
ROSEHILL GARDENS
In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds has Vanbrugh firming from $6 — $4.60 including two bets of $500 at $4.60. Race 2, Surpass $26 — $18, Lucky Lago $6 — $4.60 after a $500 wager at $5. Race 3, Mr Steal $8 — $4.80 after bets of $1000 at $5.50, $1000 at $5, Napoleon $11 — $8.50 with a $450 wager at $11. Race 4, Elle Lou $8 — $7 with a $500 bet at $7, Land Grant $15 — $8 with a bet of $470 e/w at $9.50/$3, Californian Man $51 — $21. Race 5, Private Secretary $6 — $4.80, Electric Power $6 — $5 with bets of $1000 and $500 at $6, $1000 at $5.50, Savoureux firm in betting after a $400 bet at $11. Race 6, Two Blue has firmed from $11 — $8 after bets of $400 at $11, $400 at $10, $500 at $9, Royal Island $14 — $12 after a $400 bet at $14. Race 7, Brook Road $4 — $3.30, Mount Nebo $8 — $7. Race 8, Marenostro $8 — $4.80 after bets of $600 at $8, $500 at $7, $500 at $6.
CAULFIELD
Race 1, Green Card $4.60 — $3.80 with a $1200 bet at $4.60, Jalan Jalan $7 — $5. Race 2, Iggimacool $81 — $13 with a $1200 wager at $15, Pilly’s Wish $3.60 — $2.90 after bets of $1000 at $3.40, $1250 at $3. Race 3, Radical $4.60 — $4 — $4.80 — $4.40 after bets of $600 at $4.40, $800 at $4.60, Heavy $8 — $4 ($400 @ $8, $600 @ $4.80, $650 @ $4.60. Race 4, Stereosonic $11 — $9.50, Mick’s Hustler $8 — $6.50. Race 5, Actuariat $9 — $5.50, Raposo $4.80 — $3.50, Herstory $7.50 — $6.50. Race 6, Charmed Harmony $3.30 — $3.50 — $2.80 with a $1200 wager at $3.50, Tiny’s Legacy $14 — $15 — $10 — $11, Search Squad $18 — $13. Race 7, Our Harmony $9 — $9.50 — $7.50 — $8, Stiletto $15 — $13, Lirabird $10 — $9 — $9.50 — $9, Shakespearean Miss $6 — $6.50 — $5 with bets of $500 at $6, $500/$1000 at $5/$2, Mossbeat $9 — $8.50 after a $400 bet at $8.50. Race 8, Sea Lord $26 — $41 — $31, Heart Of A Lion $21 — $10, Angels Beach $10 — $6.50 — $7 with a $400 at $9, Wild Rain $12 — $10. Race 9, Lord Durante $13 — $15 — $11 — $12 with a $400 bet at $13, Tristram’s Sun $26 — $21, Word Of Mouth $3 — $2.60 after a $2000 bet at $2.90.
INTERSTATE
Sunshine Coast race 2: Fiery Heights
Sunshine Coast race 5: Feltre
Morphettville race 3: Doctor Care
Morphettville race 4: Itz Invincible
NSW PROVINCIALS
Newcastle race 7: Cesto
Newcastle race 8: Mark’s Legacy
#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners.
Originally published as Saturday racing: The Last Say with Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas
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