The following is a selection of Australian racing tips for Saturday, March 17. The focus is on the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Flemington is also covered, along with selected races at Ascot, Gold Coast and Morphettville. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
Promotions
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Best bets of the weekend
Flemington Race 5, No. 2 Humidor
Flemington Race 9: No. 7 Highland Beat
Ascot
Race 1, No. 1 How To Fly – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 7, No. 1 Private Dancer – 3.5 stars
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 2 #3 Gee Boss
Flemington
Race 1, No. 4 Hear The Chant – 4.5 stars
Race 2, No. 2 Scarecrow
Race 3, No. 5 Demerara
Race 4, No. 2 Khulaasa
Race 5, No. 2 Humidor
Race 6, No. 11 Big Pat’s Pontiac – each-way – 3.5 stars
Race 7, No. 12 Overshare – 4 stars
Race 8, No. 8 Abyssinian
Race 9: No. 7 Highland Beat
Quaddie: 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 / 4, 8, 9, 12 / 3, 5, 8, 12 / 2, 4, 7, 8, 10
Race 5:
Back Humidor (2.50) and Hellova Street (8.50) to win.
If spending 10 units have 8 on Humidor and 2 on Hellova Street.
Race 9:
Back Highland Beat (8.50) and Castelo (19.00).
If spending 10 units have 6 on Highland Beat and 4 on Castelo.
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 1 #4 Hear the Chant
Race 2 #2 Scarecrow
Race 7: BACK (WIN) Mask Of Time 1.5 units to Win
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 4:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #3 Metronome
Race 5:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #2 Humidor
Runners are listed in number order, not order of preference.
Race 1: 1,3,4
Race 2: 1,2,3,6
Race 3: 1,2,5,8
Race 4: 1,2,3,4
Race 5: 1 Tosen Stardom, 2 Humidor, 3 Hellova Street, 4 Odeon
Race 6: 4,5,7,12
Race 7: 8,9,11,14
Race 8: 2,3,5,8
Race 9: 2,4,10,18
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
Tactics a key here. 3 leads 4 and 5. HUMIDOR hit the line nicely fresh in the Futurity. His last 1600m run was the brilliant Maybe Diva Stakes win here. TOSEN STARDOM beat him home in that Futurity and is better suited at 1600m himself. HELLOVA STREET probably wants last week’s leader bias to win given he only receives 1kg off the aforementioned duo. COOL CHAP and ODEON are place hopes also.
Selections 2 Humidor, 1 Tosen Stardom, 3 Hellova Street, 4 Odeon
Race 6:
SPEED: 4 may lead 8, 12, 13 with 1, 3 and even 2 up there. HE EKSCELS has won three of four since blinkers went on and was too strong for NO COMMITMENT at Sale when only second up. No Commitment does have a relative weights swing here. ADDISON closed off nicely in Adelaide. The winner there then ran well in a Group 3. Addison has the same one-month gap between runs here and blinkers go on. CULLINGWORTH and BIG PAT’S PONTIAC are key hopes. Liked the win of CONDAMINE at Terang. SHERLOCK HOLMES is a key hope also.
Selections 7 Addison, 4 He Ekscels, 11 Big Pat’s Pontiac, 5 Sherlock Holmes
Race 7:
SPEED: 8 can lead any of 7, 9, 12, 13 with 1, 5, 14 all capable of being handy. THEANSWERMYFRIEND is a borderline Group 1 horse at 1400m. He boasts some fast wins here at this trip. He is first up, though. WYNDSPELLE was on the heels of the Australian Cup quinella (Harlem/Gailo Chop) before a forgive run in the Futurity when back and wide. MASK OF TIME resumes. He ran very well chasing a hot speed in the Toorak Handicap in spring. OVERSHARE the three-year-old has a case. Doubt 1400m is any issue. Expect better from SOVEREIGN NATION.
Selections 8 Theanswermyfriend, 5 Wyndspelle, 7 Mask of Time, 12 Overshare
Race 8:
SPEED: 12 may lead 6 with any of 2, 5, 8, 9, 11 handy. PORTMAN was good fresh behind Ken’s Dream (ran quite well in Group 1 Newmarket) then forget last week happened. He draws gate 1 today. TOP OF THE RANGE came away like a good horse at Caulfield when only second up. SOHO RUBY charged late in a high-rating race at Flemington and was seven weeks between runs. She looked in need of 1600m to my eye there. She gets that here! ABYSSINIAN has all the upside. Check betting re imports NAVAL WARFARE and POW WOW. Naval Warfare has 1600m form at home but was run off his legs in recent jumpout.
Selections 5 Soho Ruby, 3 Top of the Range, 2 Portman, 8 Abyssinian
Race 9:
LAND OF PLENTY is the best horse here but they may not get a run (down to run Friday night). MILWAUKEE has been on his heels in the past and has winch form off these little freshens. HANDSOME THIEF was a forgive job last time, he looked ready to win prior, he draws in again. Wonder what this week’s straight-track raffle will bring us??? BORD DE GAIN’s last win was excellent, draws in. HIGHLAND BEAT, HAY BALE and SACRED SHAM all ran well here in a Creswick Stks and that race threw Ken’s Dream. STEEL OF MADRID and BLUE TYCOON are flying.
Selections 18 Land of Plenty, 1 Milwaukee, 4 Handsome Thief, 8 Bord De Gain
Race 5:
TOSEN STARDOM chased well to fall just short last start in the Futurity Stks and four from seven wins have been in the dry, big chance. HELLOVA STREET strong in winning last start at Launceston, for the wider exotics. HUMIDOR a track specialist winning twice at Flemington and won four of seven as a favourite, consider in exotics. ODEON finished midfield last start at Flemington when first up and generally strong second-up, for the exotics.
Race 6:
HE EKSCELS looking for a hatrick after winning two in a row at Sale and Sapphire Coast, commands respect. ADDISON amongst the placegetters last start running third at Morphettville and gets the blinkers on for the first time, in with a chance. CONDAMINE coming off a win at Terang and all wins have come when faced with dry ground, looks threatening. SHERLOCK HOLMES first-up after 18 week break and all wins have come when faced with dry ground, needs the breaks.
Race 7:
THEANSWERMYFRIEND resumes from a 22 week spell and won last trial at Cranbourne, has solid claims. TRIBAL WISDOM just missed as favourite last start at Moonee Valley when resuming and goes down in weight, place only. COLDSTONE winner despite being unwanted in the betting last start at Flemington and Stephanie Thornton a bonus, place best. RISING RED resumes from a long 54 week spell and placed in last trial at Cranbourne, capable of getting into the money.
Race 8:
ABYSSINIAN 2 wins from four attempts this campaign. Kept chasing and just missed last start at Pakenham Park, major contender. PORTMAN short back-up of seven days and drawn the rails, sneaky chance. SOHO RUBY in the money last start running third at Flemington and three of four wins have come from dry ground, don’t dismiss. TOP OF THE RANGE and came on strong to win last start at Caulfield and rates highly with Patrick Moloney aboard, quinella.
Race 9:
HANDSOME THIEF has two placings from three runs this prep and won four of eight as a favourite, genuine contender. SACRED SHAM won last start at Bendigo and two wins from five attempts this campaign, looks threatening. LAND OF PLENTY back after 17 week break and placed four times at Flemington but been unable to get a win, could threaten. BLUE TYCOON looking to make it four in a row after another win at Morphettville last start and has the speed to overcome a very wide draw, don’t dismiss.
Gold Coast
Race 1, No. 8 The Real Boss – 4 stars
Race 3, No. 12 Ready For Danger – 3 stars
Race 8, No. 4 Snitzkraft – 4 stars
Betfair – Feature Race Analysis:
BACK (WIN) Snitzkraft at $2.63+ (1.5% of your betting bank)
BACK (WIN) Upstart Pride at $12+ (0.3% of your betting bank)
Morphettville
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 4 #1 Eperimentation
Rosehill
Race 1, No. 9 All Too Soon
Race 2, No. 8 Get On The Grange – each-way – 4 stars
Race 3, No. 1 Sunlight
Race 4, No. 5 Spin
Race 5, No. 7 Latin Boy – each-way – 3.5 stars
Race 6, No. 8 Shumookh – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 7, No. 15 Bring Me Roses
Race 8, No. 2 Tom Melbourne – 3.5 stars
Race 9: No. 5 Up ‘N’ Rolling
Race 7 – Coolmore Classic:
Top 5:
1 – Bring Me Roses
2 – Oregon’s Day
3 – Dixie Blossoms
4 – Daysee Doom
5 – Aide Memoire
Best Bet: Bring Me Roses to WIN ($13.00)
Best Value: Oregon’s Day EACH WAY ($16/$4.75)
Quinella: 1, 15, 18 ($20 for 666.67%)
First 4: 1, 3, 9, 15, 18 ($40 for 33.33%)
Quaddie: 5, 6, 8 / 1, 3, 9, 15, 18 / 1, 2, 3, 7 / 5, 9, 14
Race 2:
Back Libran (3.80) to win
Race 7 – Coolmore Classic:
My Tips
1. Egg Tart
2. Raiment
3. Just Dreaming
4. Heaven’s Above
Suggested Bets:
Back Egg Tart (6.50) 6 units to win and 4 units to place (2.35).
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 4 #1 Written By
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 4, No.1, WRITTEN BY – BEST BET
Race 5, No.11, AKASAKI – VALUE BET
Race 6, No.8, SHUMOOKH – LAY BET
Race 7, No.14, FRANCALETTA
Race 7: 1. EGG TART, 2. Aide Memoire, 3. Raiment, 4. Prompt Response
Runners are listed in number order, not order of preference.
Race 1: 1,5,8,9
Race 2: 1,3,6,9
Race 3: 1,3,8,10
Race 4: 1,4,5,6
Race 5: 1,2,9,12
Race 6: 1,2,5,8
Race 7: 1 Dixie Blossoms, 2 Silent Sedition, 8 Alizee, 14 Francaletta
Race 8: 1,2,5,6
Race 9: 1,5,8,10
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 6:
A tough start to a very tough quaddie! SHUMMOOKH our leader if she wants to play here against her own age but she has entered for the Coolmore as well. Her formlines are strong for this and I am untroubled by her matching up against the boys. PARET remains an enigma at this stage but there is still faith he is a talented (albeit somewhat troubled) animal. Back from Melbourne/no trial. HOLY SNOW and MURAAQEB come from what looks to be the strongest lead-up. UNFORGOTTEN suffered from cardiac arrhythmia off the back of a market drift 1st-up. Could possibly bounce back?
Selections 8 Shumookh, 7 Paret, 1 Holy Snow, 2 Muraaqeb
Race 7:
Always a great race! And the first four from last year’s running (in fact five of the first six) appear again. Look for 14 and 12 to set the tone, with 10 (if she’s here) crossing prominently as well. RAIMENT could box-seat from the rails draw perhaps. BRING ME ROSES put down a ripper run in the Guineas 2nd-up and while you’d probably prefer to see her at least staying at 1600m or rising in trip I’m prepared to have a crack with her setting up nicely from her barrier and on a nice trajectory in her prep (as most of these are to be fair). SILENT SEDITION should see a lovely run as well. HEAVENS ABOVE ran no better in the Millie Fox last year before winning this 2nd-up. Many others worth thought!
Selections 15 Bring Me Roses, 2 Silent Sedition, 3 Daysee Doom, 4 Heavens Above
Race 8:
ARBEITSAM to lead out, probably with minimal pressure applied. 10, 2 and 7 next in line. COMIN’ THROUGH was terrific first-up from a break but has now had 4 weeks since. He has met PRIZED ICON three times and beaten him home just as many. ICON comes to this after a 2nd to Winx though, never a formline we should criticise. Speaking of criticism, TOM MELBOURNE resumes. The perennial bridesmaid has trialled pretty sharply recently and usually has a say in the formation of the major placings. (Thought I put that particularly kindly.) CELLARMAN flying! Acid test in this company.
Selections 3 Comin’ Through, 1 Prized Icon, 2 Tom Melbourne, 7 Cellarman, 6 Arbeitsam
Race 9:
We finish as we started, on a Benchmark event with four Waller runners engaged. Speed not overly strong with 13, 5 and 3 expected to be up front. TRIBAL WISDOM is very likely to set up near the opposite end but if he has made the trip up I’m prepared to buy in after what was an encouraging return run. MOST EXALTED was an unplaced favourite first-up in a race that should never have been run. We simply look past that outing. He’s good enough to win something like this. So too UP ‘N’ ROLLING evidently. His return run was the first time he hasn’t started favourite in Australia and was good enough to say he’ll probably be fave again here.
Selections 8 Tribal Wisdom, 5 Up ‘n’ Rolling, 7 Most Exalted, 12 Level Eight
Race 6:
SHUMOOKH Had a plenty on a Canterbury maiden field winning on debut and proved she is up to the best three-year-old fillies with close placings in the Surround and Light Fingers at last two starts. The boys don’t look any stronger than the girls and this is her chance to win a Stakes race. MURAAQEB Was placed in three successive races before finishing his race off strongly in the Australian Guineas last start. Drawn to get the gun run in transit from the gate and rates as one of the key chances. RENEWAL Looks to have some upside for Team Hawkes winning three of his four starts to date including a Rosehill benchmark 74 victory last start. This is clearly his toughest test to date but it is hard to knock the winning form. HOLY SNOW Won the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield resuming two runs back and arguably the edge was off him second-up in the Australian Guineas. Gets a set of blinkers for the first time and expecting him to bounce back.
Race 7:
SILENT SEDITION Controlled the race in front to win the Mannerism comfortably last start. Was nailed right on the line this race last year with 54.5kg jumping from a wide gate. 57.5kg looks the tester here but in saying that has won a Group I William Reid Stakes in the interim. Expect her to give a terrific sight again. ALIZEE Did a good job to win the Light Fingers resuming at Randwick two runs back before a disappointing effort when a beaten favourite in the Surround last start. She won the Tea Rose and the Flight Stakes in succession in the Spring and has to be given another chance. FRANCALETTA Was a Group III winner in six runs in New Zealand before showing she was up to this grade finishing third in the Guy Walter resuming last start. Will be right on the speed and is a value chance for the exotics with a soft run from an ideal gate. DIXIE BLOSSOMS She is a terrific mare for the Ron Quinton stable and ran third in this race last year with 57kg so doesn’t look badly treated with a half kilo more after winning two races in the ensuing 12-months including a strong win in the Guy Walter resuming last start. She’s right in the mix.
Race 8:
INTERLOCUTER Worked home nicely when just over three-lengths from the winner in the Liverpool City Cup resuming las start. Has won two from three second-up and is right in the mix with the first-up run under his belt. PRIZED ICON The 2016 Victoria Derby winner and has returned to racing in terrific order finishing close-up in the Carrington and Apollo Stakes before beating all but Winx in the Chipping Norton last start. This looks his chance to get back into the winner’s stall. ARBEITSAM Never saw clear running resuming in the Liverpool City Cup. Will be all the better for the outing and will race on the speed. Goes in all the exotics. TOM MELBOURNE Returns to racing and has trialled nicely on two occasions leading into this. Has been finding it hard to get into the winner’s stall in recent preparations but is ultra-consistent at the same time and goes in all the exotics.
Race 9:
TRIBAL WISDOM Won the Greys race at Flemington during Melbourne Cup Week and had no luck at Moonee Valley resuming last start finish three quarters of a length from the winner in fourth spot. Shouldn’t be under-estimated. EAGLE BAY Is a New Zealand five-year-old having his first start for Chris Waller and had a solid record before crossing the Tasman winning four and placing on three occasions from nine starts. 56-days between runs but has trialled din the interim and betting moves should be watched closely. ETYMOLOGY Hit the line strongly when a length third at Rosehill resuming. Has been placed two from three this track and distance and is right in the mix fitter second-up. UP ‘N’ ROLLING Protested unsuccessfully when narrowly beaten by Lofty’s Menu in a two-horse war up the straight this track and distance resuming last start. Won second-up last preparation but did step up to 2000m. Staying at 1350m looks the only query here.