Saturday racing: The Last Say with the Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas

SATURDAY racing comes to you today from Rosehill Gardens and Doomben. Here’s all the last minute tips and info from racing editor Ray Thomas.

Astronomos (Doomben Race 2) is Ray’s best bet of the day.

SATURDAY racing comes to you today from Rosehill Gardens and Doomben. Here’s all the last minute tips and info from Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Weather: Mild, cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 22c.

Track: Good (3)

Rail: 6m out

DOOMBEN

Weather: Warm, mostly sunny day with a forecast top temperature of 27c.

Track: Good (4)

Rail: 2m out

BE WARY: The Rosehill rail is out 6m, a further 3m out from the last meeting at the track two weeks ago. Most winners made their runs away from the inside that day and expect something similar today despite the rail shift, particularly given the firm ground. Similarly, Doomben will be a firm track with a rail placement of 2m out it should provide a fair racing surface although it will be preferable to be away from the fence in the straight.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

THE BEST BET: Speith (race three) is a striking chestnut son of Thorn Park and has won two of his only five starts. He has had two runs back from a spell and showed considerable improvement last start romping home by five lengths at Kembla Grange. He showed dazzling acceleration to put his rivals to the sword last start. This is a considerable step up in grade from a class 1 to Saturday grade but he has loads of potential. The firm track, small field and 1100m are all in his favour.

THE NEXT BEST: Hipparchus (race two) has looked a stayer of real promise in his debut Australian preparation. A winner in France from three starts, he has had three runs for Chris Waller, winning second-up at Kembla in dominant style then very impressive running down Duca Valentois at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting. Hipparchus is very short in betting but he is a stayer on the rise while most of his rivals have reached their level in racing. He should win.

VALUE BET: Great Esteem (race seven) won over this course and distance in early January but hasn’t been placed in five runs since. However, his form hasn’t been too bad as he needs a firm track which he gets today. His Hawkesbury Cup run was indifferent last start when 10th to Amovatio but the track was a little moist underneath and it didn’t suit him. Drawn nicely in gate five today and with the claim he gets in well at the weights with 56.5kg. Great Esteem is tough and will settle close to the lead, making his own luck. Great value around $15 in morning markets.

THE WHISPER: I Can Rock (race six) has scored four wins in hi 26-start career and all have been on good tracks, which he strikes today. His two runs back have been super efforts, flashing home late for third to Ms Wicked Wanda when resuming over 1000m at Warwick Farm then charged home from well back and just failed to catch Royal Tudor over 1100nm at Warwick Farm again. This is a step up in class but the bigger Rosehill track suits. Well placed today and is ready to win.

DOOMBEN

THE BEST BET: Astronomos (race two) ran a blinder when resuming after a spell, charging home from well back to run a close second to Brettan over 1630m at Doomben late last month. Terrific effort when resuming and will appreciate the step up to 2000m. This race has been knocked around with scratchings and Astronomos now has only nine rivals to beat. He is a stayer with a touch of quality and is ideally placed today. Back with him with confidence.

NEXT BEST: Falkenberg (race six) won twice and was second three times in her first five starts including a runaway win at Warwick Farm over 1600m in late March. She has had two runs since and raced without luck both times, most notably her recent effort when closing late for fourth behind Imposing Lass in the Gold Coast Bracelet over 1800m. She has been crying out for 2000m and with even luck in this big field she can return to winning form.

VALUE BET: Denmagic (race eight) has been stakes-placed twice this autumn including her very game second behind Spill The Beans in the Hawkesbury Guineas at the stand-alone meeting. She has drawn wide her but her racing pattern is to settle midfield or worse and if her rider can find cover, she will get her chance. Big field with plenty of early speed to suit. Denmagic is around $16 in a very tough race but that is good each way value.

THE WHISPER: Maurus (race seven) is the rank outsider in a very competitive Doomben Cup but he is capable of causing a boilover. Maurus was simply dynamic winning over 2200m at Doomben last start and although coming back in distance to 2000m today, that is not a concern as he is very fit and adaptable. His form has gone to a new level in recent weeks and he is showing a brilliant turn of foot, suggesting he can make the transition to weight-for-age. Maurus has reportedly trained on superbly since his last start win and is over the odds at $19.

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS

In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds reports Murranji no bets or market movements of note.

Race 2, Hipparchus $2.60-$1.95 with bets of $2,000 at $2.60, $1,000 at $2.60, $2,000 at $1.95.

Race 3, Spieth $3.60-$3.20 after bets of $300 at $3.60, $500 at $3.20.

Race 4, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 5, Tsaritsa $5-$2.90 after bets of $500 at $5, $300 at $5, $500 at $3.80, $1,250 at $3.40, $500 at $3, $300 at $2.90.

Race 6, Skip Course $7.50-$4.60 after bets of $200 at $7.50, $400 at $7, $300 at $4.60, I Can Rock $7-$5 with a $500 wager at $6.

Race 7, Gamblestown $9-$7.50 with a bet of $800 at $9

Race 8, Harlem Lady $5-$4.60 after wagers of $470 at $5, $1,000 at $4.60.

Race 9, Sebring Sun $8-$5.50 with bets of $420 at $6, $580 at $5.50,

DOOMBEN

In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds reports no bets or market movements of note.

Race 2, Astronomos $4.20-$2.70 with bets of $1,000 at $4.20, $1,000 at $3.40, $500 at $2.80.

Race 3, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 4, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 5, Artlee $3.60-$3 with bets of $500 at $3.60, $2,000 at $3.

Race 6, Ambience $7.50-$5 with bets of $200 at $6.50, $800 at $6.

Race 7, Our Ivanhowe $12-$9, Volkstoknbarrell $5-$6-$5.50 with bets of $200 at $6 multiple times, $200 at $5.50 multiple times.

Race 8, Sir Bacchus $5.50-$4 with wagers of $200 at $5.50, $250 at $5, $750 at $4.60, $500 at $4.20, $300 at $4, Rageese $4-$3.60 after bets of $250 at $4, $500 at $3.60 twice.

FLEMINGTON

Race 1, Beach Life $4.20-$4 after a $490 bets at $4.20.

Race 2, Air Apparent $8 unchanged after a $1,000 bet at $8,

Race 3, Moriarty $13-$9.

Race 4, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 5, Loyalty Man $5 unchanged despite a $1,000 e/w bet at $5/$2.

Race 6, Entre Nous $8.50-$7.50 with a $450 wager at $8.50.

Race 7, De Little Engine $8-$4.80 with bets of $450 e/w at $5.50/$2, $500 at $5.

Race 8, Whistle Baby $21-$15 with a $4,300 wager at $21.

Race 9, Nozomi $18-$16.

MORPHETTVILLE

Race 7, Goodwood Handicap: Black Heart Bart $3.80-$4.20-$4, Supido $6-$5-$5.50 with bets of $700 at $5, $500 at $5.50, $400 at $5, $600/ $400 at $5/$2, Under The Louvre $8-$6.50 with wagers of $500 at $7.50, $300 at $7, $1,500/$1,000 at $7/$2.50,

INTERSTATE

Flemington race 4: Santa Rocks

Flemington race 8: Demonstrate

Morphettville race 2: Sense Of Occasion

Morphettville race 7: Admiral

NSW PROVINCIALS

Beaumont race 3: Dinky Di Ora

Beaumont race 4: Multizone

Beaumont race 6: Dizzy Success

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

Originally published as Saturday racing: The Last Say with the Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas