The Last Say from Rosehill Gardens and Flemington

ALL the best tips and late mail from SuperRacing expert Ray Thomas ahead of a big day’s racing at Flemington and Rosehill Gardens.

Rosehill Race 5 8-12-12. Blackwoods UVEX Safety Handicap. 2000m. Winner 'Scream Machine' ridden by Kathy O'Hara.

ALL the best tips and late mail from SuperRacing expert Ray Thomas ahead of a big day’s racing at Flemington and Rosehill Gardens.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Weather: Cool, cloudy day with isolated showers and a forecast top temperature of 20C.

Track: Dead (5)

Rail: 6m out

FLEMINGTON

Weather: Cold, cloudy day with isolated showers and a forecast top temperature of 15C.

Track: Dead (5)

Rail: 6m out

BE WARY: Some rain in Sydney overnight has resulted in the Rosehill surface going to a slow 6. The forecast is not encouraging so the track is unlikely to improve. With the rail out 6m, usually this provides a uniform surface but with the wet track conditions, the best going will be away from the inside. At Flemington, the track is a dead 5 but there is some rain forecast for Melbourne later today. Expect a downgrade.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

THE BEST BET: Scream Machine (race 5) ran the best race of his career when closing late for sixth to Spirit Of Boom in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 three weeks ago. He was being aimed at the Stradbroke last week but was only an emergency and missed a run. He has obviously been kept fresh for these shorter races so the 1400m of today’s event should not be an issue. Admittedly he has not won at less than 1550m and is a slight query on slow going - one start for a placing - but he is very fit and in great form. Scream Machine gets in very well at the weights and is drawn ideally so he should settle a little closer to the speed. Very hard to beat.

THE NEXT BEST: Generalife (race 6) is another racing in very good form. He was strong on the line to win at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting last month then loomed up to win and was edged out by smart duo Eigelstein and Excess Knowledge over 1400m at Randwick last start. He goes into this race very fit and racing well but the wet track conditions are a concern. He is a two-time winner on dead tracks but his only previous start on a slow track came second-up this preparation when seventh on the Kensington track. I’m banking on his fitness and form to ensure he handles this track. Generalife is perfectly drawn to get the gun run.

VALUE BET: Sabino Speed (race 3) is a very honest galloper with a good record of three wins and two placings from eight starts. Always competitive and goes into this race after his close third to Abbasso at Randwick three weeks back. He won on a slow track at Warwick Farm earlier this campaign, beating Longma and Kudero. He will handle the wet track today and is very appealing at double-figure odds. Sabino Speed is a terrific each way chance.

THE WHISPER: Excess Knowledge (race 8) is a huge tip today. He is second-up, jumping straight from 1400m to 2000m and has never been exposed to a slow track but there is a lot of confidence about his chances. He was very impressive at his Australian debut when a close second to Eigelstein at Randwick three weeks ago and that horse has since won again to frank the form. Excess Knowledge has been working brilliantly at Randwick and trainer Gai Waterhouse has often stepped up her stayers sharply in distance with success.

The Chris Waller-trained Sacred Flyer looks a standout at Flemington today.

FLEMINGTON

THE BEST BET: Sacred Flyer (race 4) looks a standout selection today. He has been improved by three runs from a spell and put the writing on the wall last start when he ran on from a long way back on the turn to finish second to the in-form St Jean at Sandown. He is a winner up to 2400m and will handle today’s slightly longer trip. The rain-affected track conditions are also ideal. He ticks just about every box in this race. Sacred Flyer should win.

NEXT BEST: Henwood (race 6) was having his third run back from a spell when he returned to winning form with a dominant effort over the Flemington 1400m course about five weeks ago, easily defeating the handy Tried And True. He has been kept fresh since and is back at his favourite racecourse where he has never run a bad race. Drawn to get a nice run throughout and looks an outstanding chance.

VALUE BET: Dig A Pony (race 3) will be a double figure odds today but she is an improving filly who was particularly impressive winning at Sale first-up late last month. She came from just off the speed and attacked the line strongly to win comfortably. This is a much tougher assignment but I liked the way she went about her business at Sale. Dig A Pony enjoys rain-affected track conditions and is on the limit weight. Dig A Pony is worth an each way ticket today.

THE WHISPER: West Africa (race 7) has a boom on him and his return is one of the most interesting aspects of today’s Flemington program. Absolutely brilliant on debut winning his maiden at Kilmore by nine lengths late last year but hasn’t raced since a close fourth to Maroon Bay at a Moonee Valley night meeting in December. Resuming here but he has been the talk of the track in the last couple of weeks with some very impressive gallops. West Africa should be

very hard to beat.

All eyes will be on the Mark Kavanagh-trained West Africa in the 2014 A R Creswick Series heat at Flemington.

THE BIG MONEY AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Race 1 - TAB Fixed Odds has had consistent support for Brazen Moss who has firmed from $2.30 to $2.20 including a bet of $1000 at $2.30.

Race 2 - Amovatio is $3.80 to $3.40 after bets of $1200 at $3.80, Ball Of Muscle $6 to $5 after bets of $1000 and $500 at $6, $1300 at $5, Encostanati is firm in betting after a $1500 wager at $4.60, El Toranado $13 to $9.50 and Latin Salsa has had support including a $500 wager at $7. Race 3 - Romantic Moon $15 to $13, El Doute has had support including a $500 bet at $7, Dowdstown Charlie is $11 to $9.50 after bets of $450 at $11 and $500 at $9.50.

Race 4 - Express Power $11 to $8 after bets of $500 at $11 and $500 at $9.50, First Class Ticket $6 to $5 and Forever Crazy $15 to $13.

Race 5 - Tromso $8 to $7 after a $400 wager at $8, Sir John Hawkwood $26 to $18, Scream Machine $3.80 back into $3.50.

Race 6 - Sir Berus $15 to $10 after a$1000 wager at $11 and Lofty Ambition $13 to $11.

Race 7 - Earnest Ernest $7 to $6, Texan Lad $15 to $13, Green Beret $8 to $7 with a $400 bet at $8, and Kudero $6 to $5.

Race 8 - Excess Knowledge $3.50 to $2.60 with bets including $1500 at $3.20, Mulaqen $23 to $17 with a $500 each way wager at $21/$5.70, Casino Dancer $12 to $11 and Dream Folk $41 to $26 with bets of $350/$1200 at $35/$8.35.

FLEMINGTON

Race 1 - Justaway $10 to $6 after bets of $500 at $8 and $800 at $6.

Race 2 - Doubtfilly $6 to $5.

Race 3 - Dig A Pony $11 to $9 after a $500 wager at $11, Good Music $5.50 to $4.80.

Race 4 - Sacred Flyer $3.20 to $2.40 after bets of $900 at $2.80 and $2000 at $2.50.

Race 5 - Medcaut is firm in betting after a $1000 wager at $4, Miss Maggiebeel $7 to $5.50 after bets of $400 at $7 and $600 at $6.50, Word Of Mouth $12 to $10, Sanosuke $21 to $18 with a $400 each way wager at $21/$6), Amortise $13 to $9 after a $500 wager at $11, Denoninator $16 to $8 after bets of $600/$300 and $500/$200 at $15/$4.50, $1000, $600 and $500 at $12.

Race 6 - Dany The Fox is firm in betting after a $500 each way bet at $11/$3.42, Henwood $4.60 to $4 after bets of $1100 at $4.60 and $865 at $4, Eximius $15 to $8 after a $500 wager at $11.

Race 7 - Melrose Place $14 to $9, Kraftwerk $8 to $5.50 with a $500 wager at $8.

Race 8 - Ali Vital $11 to $10, Shenzhou Steeds $21 to $17, Wracrotham Heath $7 to $5.50 with bets of $900 at $7 and $1000 at $6.50.

INTERSTATE

Ipswich race 2: Celestial Dragon

Ipswich race 6: Masthead

Morphettville race 4: Pit Boss

Morphettville race 8: Red Corner

PROVINCIALS

Newcastle race 1: Table Two

Newcastle race 5: Swiss Guard

Originally published as The Last Say from Rosehill Gardens and Flemington