Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping
PODCAST: OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner on Derby Day as they look at the major races around the nation.
OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner on Derby Day as they look at the major races around the nation.
Last week ... The Advertiser’s Lincoln Moore landed the big winner of the day with Last Bullet saluting at $7 in Adelaide. Sydney tipsters Ray Thomas, Stephen Zammit, John Davis and Shayne O’Cass also continued their good form, giving punters plenty to cheer with winners Reincarnate ($4.40), Rock Forthe Ladies ($3.40) and Broadside ($2.45). Apart from Winx, winners were harder to find at the Valley, although Darren Prendergast and Simon Moy were on the money with The United States ($3.60).
SATURDAY MEETINGS (AEDT times)
FLEMINGTON (9 races, start 11.45am),
ROSEHILL (9 races, start 12.05pm),
MORPHETTVILLE (8 races, 1.08pm),
EAGLE FARM (8 races, start 1.32pm),
ASCOT (8 races, start 3.34pm).
MATT STEWART, DANNY RUSSELL AND CHRIS VERNUCCIO PREVIEW VICTORIA DERBY DAY
MELBOURNE CUP: EARLY FORM GUIDE
FLEMINGTON
MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Form: 26213
SACRED ELIXIR
Race 7, No. 1
Simply ticks all the boxes; pedigree to stay, tenacious, winning.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80
Value bet: DE LITTLE ENGINE (Race 4, No. 7)
TAB Fixed Odds: $7
MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun). Form: 14134
EXTREME CHOICE
Race 5, No. 2
Brilliant colt who has won four from five starts and had excuses at his only loss in the Golden Slipper. He was awesome winning the Moir Stakes first-up and he can add a third Group 1 race to his impressive record.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.90
Value bet: KEEN ARRAY (Race 9, No. 5)
TAB Fixed Odds: $5.50
DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun). Form: 12413
REAL LOVE
Race 4, No. 2
No problems with the distance and has stacks of stable confidence.
TAB Fixed Odds: $5.50
Value Bet: DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (Race 6, No. 7)
TAB Fixed Odds: $6
BRAD DAVIDSON (Daily Telegraph). Form: 77043
SACRED ELIXIR
Race 7, No. 1
Looked lost around Moonee Valley but still got the job done in the Vase last week despite being held up on the turn as well. He will absolutely love Flemington and he has had the Derby written all over him ever since his JJ Atkins win in Brisbane during the winter. Hard to beat.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80
Value Bet: NEW DIVIDE (Rosehill, Race 6, No. 7)
TAB Fixed Odds: $26
BEN DORRIES (The Courier-Mail). Form: 0538x
SACRED ELIXIR
Race 7, No. 1
I have been spruiking him as the Derby winner since he won the JJ Atkins in Queensland as a two-year-old over the Queensland Winter Carnival. No reason to jump off now. Will eat up the extra ground. Not only is the classiest horse in the field but is the best stayer. Just wins.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80
Value Bet: DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (Race 6, No. 7)
TAB Fixed Odds: $6
SIMON MOY (SuperRacing). Form: 26811
SACRED ELIXIR
Race 7, No. 1
Tony Pike has the Kiwi ticking over perfectly and looks a standarout here.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80
Value Bet: DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (Race 6, No. 7)
TAB Fixed Odds: $6
CHRIS VERNUCCIO (SuperRacing). Form: 64426
FIRST SEAL
Race 6, No. 2
Showed much-needed improvement when she won the Tristarc Stakes last start. I expect there’s more to come.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60
Value Bet: WE’VE GOT THIS (Race 9, No. 9)
TAB Fixed Odds: $7.50
DARREN PRENDERGAST (SuperRacing). Form: 21531
FIRST SEAL
Race 6, No. 2
Quality mare bounced back to winning form in the Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield. Will be even better on the bigger track at Flemington.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60
Value bet: MOUNT PANORAMA (Race 1, No. 8)
TAB Fixed Odds: $17
NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 1752x
OCEANOGRAPHER
Race 4, No. 8
Huge run in the Geelong Cup and can force his way into Melbourne Cup contention with a win. Trainer Charlie Appelby’s horses are flying in Melbourne.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.50
Value Bet: SO SI BON (Race 7, No. 10)
TAB Fixed Odds: $8.50
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
ROSEHILL
RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 25171
RILLITO
Race 8, No. 4
Will appreciate getting out to 1200m and on a bigger track. I don’t mind the wide draw as she needs galloping room. If Rillito finds cover early, she can zoom over the top of her rivals.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.80
Value Bet: DUCA VALENTINOIS (Race 5, No. 1)
TAB Fixed Odds: $9.50
STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 114x1
ROYAL TUDOR
Race 5, No. 4
Prepared by Rodney Ollerton, this gelding impressed when scoring over 1400m at Warwick Farm, then fought on well for the minor placing over 1400m at Randwick on October 15. Drawn beaufitully here and will get a charmed run in transit.
TAB Fixed Odds: $2.80
Value Bet: MY TAGOSON (Race 6, No. 13)
TAB Fixed Odds: $8
JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 24211
DARHAD
Race 1, No. 1
Get the money early punters and invest heavily on the Michael Freedman-trained Darhad, who showed plenty of early toe at his only appearance when runner-up to Madame Moustache at headquarters earlier this month.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.60
Value Bet: MY TAGOSON (Race 6, No. 13)
TAB Fixed Odds: $8
SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman). Form: 16311
EPIDEMIC
Race 1, No. 9
This filly is a full sister to outstanding 3YO Impending. Epidemic went to the Wyong trials and was up against open-class horses but she more than held her own when runner-up to Prince Dylan. Drawn a little wide for her debut but she looks to have quality and class in considerable doses.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60
Value Bet: CHRYSOLAUS (Race 9, No. 6)
TAB Fixed Odds: $21
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
EAGLE FARM
NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Form: 41192
NOTONYOURLIFE
Race 4, No. 5
Takes on Shamfransisco, who has been caning them on the Sunshine Coast, but think she’s well placed. Gets 3kg off the fav after running blistering time at the midweeks last time. Has always had Saturday class ability and has the right platform to show it off here.
TAB Fixed Odds: $4.80
Value Bet: SHARPE HUSSLER (Race 7, No. 12)
TAB Fixed Odds: $8.50
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
MORPHETTVILLE
BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser). Form: 14426
MAIL IT IN
Race 7, No. 2
Talented gelding who hit the line strongly when beaten just over a length behind Last Bullet last time. He has an impeccable record this track/distance and expect him to be storming home with the 3kg claim for in-form apprentice Eran Boyd.
TAB Fixed Odds: $3.60
Value Bet: BELUGA BLUE (Race 5, No. 2)
TAB Fixed Odds: $3
LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 13511
LORD ASPEN
Race 2, No. 1
Smart horse who was good first-up from a break when he beat all but Cavaloce. Races well second-up, gets in well with the claim for Matthew Poon and he should be too good for these.
TAB Fixed Odds: $1.70
Value Bet: L’AMARYBELLE (Race 7, No. 6)
TAB Fixed Odds: $5.50
MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS
Note: Prices correct at time of publishing
Originally published as Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping
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