The following is a selection of Australian racing tips for Saturday, May 26. The feature races are the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (Race 7) and Queensland Oaks (Race 8) at Doomben. Randwick and Sandown are also covered. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets of the day
Doomben Race 8, No.3 Youngstar
Randwick Race 2, No.2 Vontaine
Randwick Race 4, No.2 Larlabrook
Sandown Race 9, No.1 Fifty Stars – LAY BET (bet against this horse with Betfair)
Doomben
Race 1, No. 2 Perfect Dare – EACH-WAY – 3 stars
Race 4, No. 15 Ruud Not Too – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Race 6, No. 12 Schism – 4 stars
Race 7: Kingsford-Smith Cup
Best: Care To Think to WIN ($8)
Value: Lucky Hussler EACH WAY ($23/$5)
Exotic: Box Trifecta 1, 2, 3, 7 ($20 for 83.33%)
Race 8: Queensland Oaks
Best: Youngstar to WIN ($2.70)
Value: Sheezdashing EACH WAY ($8.50/$2.80)
Exotic: Box Trifecta 2, 3, 4, 11 ($20 for 83.33%)
Race 1: COOLRING
Race 2: DARK DREAM
Race 3: INTERLOCUTER
Race 4: RED EXCITEMENT
Race 5: ZOUSAIN
Race 6: FOXPLAY
Race 7: 1. IMPENDING, 2. Le Romain, 3. English, 4. Care To Think
Race 8: 1. YOUNGSTAR, 2. Sheezdashing 3. Another Dollar, 4. Aloisia
Race 9: THE MISSION
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 5 #3 Zousain
Race 4:
Back It’s Somewhat (3.50) to win.
Race 7: Kingsford-Smith Cup (Group 1)
1. Le Romain
2. Impending
3. Care To Think
4. English
Suggested Bet:
Back Le Romain (3.40) to win
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 7, #9, ENGLISH
Race 8, #2, SHEEZDASHING – value bet
Runners are listed in number order, not order of preference.
Race 7: 1 Impending, 3 Care to Think, 9 English, 11 Champagne Cuddles
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 7:
Very interesting race, most will use as their final Stradbroke lead up in a fortnight’s time, map suggests the tempo will be genuine enough without being over the top, similar to the 10,000. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES throws a spanner in the works as she was apparently going around in the Fred Best, not the case now & she comes up with 10 of 11 gate here. To my eye IMPENDING & CARE TO THINK were the best two runs in the 10,000 & I find them hard to split here, suggest we back both should the market allow. LE ROMAIN sat wide in the same race & stuck on, the lack of a strong speed may have flattered?
Selections 3 Care To Think, 1 Impending, 2 Le Romain, 9 Engish
Unibet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 7:
IMPENDING (1) Flew home last start and the rise in trip suits. Rates well in this race. ENGLISH (9) She did all the right things last start and gets the perfect draw again. Carries plenty of appeal. LE ROMAIN (2) Has a handy turn of foot and can figure in this company. This race looks ideal. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (11) Coming into fitness now and rates highly here in this event. Can get the job done for the punters.
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Selections: 1 Impending, 9 English, 2 Le Romain, 11 Champagne Cuddles
Race 7:
ENGLISH Returned to winning form in the Doomben 10,000 after being ridden closer in the run. Expecting her to be forward in the run again with the advantage of the inside gate and if that’s the case is a genuine winning chance again. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES A three-year-old filly taking on the older horses after a comfortable win in the Gold Coast Guineas resuming last start. Placed all five runs in strong races against her own age last start. She looks up to the task. IMPENDING Last year’s Stradbroke winner who has come back in terrific order winning the Victory Stakes resuming two back before a close second in the Doomben 10,000. He’s right in the mix. CARE TO THINK The Magic Millions Cup winner three back at the Gold Coast and has been close-up in two subsequent runs at Randwick and Doomben. He will be competitive here but would come right into his own in two weeks under the handicap conditions of the Stradbroke.
Morphettville
Race 3, No. 1 He’s A Moral – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 7, No. 12 True Myth – 4 stars
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 2 #6 Exalted Adam
Randwick
Race 1, No. 1 Graff – 4 stars
Race 2, No. 2 Vontaine – 4 stars
Race 3, No. 4 Zonk – 3.5 stars
Race 4, No. 2 Larlabrook – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 8, No. 8 I Thought So – 4.5 stars
Quaddie: 3, 5, 8, 12 / 1, 2, 3, 6 / 1, 3, 4, 8 / 3, 4, 5, 15
Race 1: THE AUTUMN SUN
Race 2: VONTAINE
Race 3: SAVATIANO
Race 4: LARLABROOK
Race 5: VELADERO
Race 6: ALL TOO HUIYING
Race 7: DESTINY’S KISS
Race 8: DAL CIELO
Race 9: BEACON
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 1 #5 The Autumn Sun
Race 3 #4 Zonk
Race 5: Back After All That (3.40) to win
Race 7: Back Naval Warfare (6.50) to win
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 1, #5, THE AUTUMN SUN – best bet
Race 3, #4, ZONK – LAY BET – bet against this horse
Runners are listed in number order, not order of preference.
Race 6: 3, 4, 8
Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 5
Race 8: 1, 4, 8, 11
Race 9: 4, 5, 15, 17
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 6:
Waller had 13 of 27 nominations (11), ends up with 7 of 15 acceptors. I’m expecting 13 and 14 to lead the mission. TURNBERRY can see a nice run not far away (and is therefore an each-way hope). 2 might be forced to cover some ground? LIVE AND FREE trounced his rivals at Rosehill a few weeks ago and it’s hard to imagine an extra furlong is going to be anything but a positive. SAVVY KEN had an easy kill last time after acquitting himself respectably in good company back in April. Stake swinner ALL TOO HUIYING takes the claim, suited at 2000. So…..no Waller runners in my top four. Seems foolhardy but you never know.
Selections 3 8 14 1
Race 7:
1 to lead 6 and 5. After sticking solid with ECUADOR right throughout this preparation – only for him to reward me with three second placings – do you reckon it could be time for me to look away. No sirree. Despite him doing a good impression of Tom Melbourne recently I’m prepared to dive in again and keep the faith. The distance won’t worry him (he won this in 2016 carrying 59.5) and he will again be out front as the one to catch. Meets OUR CENTURY 2.5 kilos better and I’m hoping that can be a factor. DESTINY’S KISS loves the Listed mile-and-a half contests so much that I’d nearly tip him if we were expecting Heavy. No slouch on dry either, in something like this anyway.
Selections 1 3 2 6
Race 8:
14 and 2 – drawn side by side – to cross up and set the tone. In the two years since WIDGEE TURF won a Swan Hill Maiden on debut he has never ventured out of Victoria. What he has done is establish himself as a reliable conveyance between 1200 and the mile, and amassed two thirds of a million in prize money while he’s been at it. The fact he’s here is a little surprising (he’s nommed for the Stradbroke in a fortnight and even though there’s plenty ahead of him in that market maybe he’s on his way to QLD?) but I’m prepared to go with him. Back to 1100m clearly a query but he can motor late with solid speed setting him up.
Selections 1 8 11 3
Race 9:
Not much pace engaged in the final event. I have 10 leading with 7 adopting a more positive approach today from that wide draw. REIBY RAMPART to trail nicely close-up. FIERCE IMPACT could take closer order as well. At his first run out here he drew way out and settled well back. He just kept finding the line though down towards the inside at Warwick Farm. Presume natural improvement from that run and hopefully it wasn’t just that lively fresh before he balances out and now wants further. A bit wary of that I admit but still prepared to go with him over the consistent SCHUBERT.
Selections 11 5 14 9
Unibet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 6:
LIVE AND FREE (3) Can show plenty of fight and has proven to be very effective in these conditions. Has plenty of claims. MEROVEE (4) Could surprise with a soft run in transit and cannot be dismissed here. One in a race with many chances. ALL TOO HUIYING (1) Profiles nicely for this although needs the right run. Looks a value runner. SAVVY KEN (14) Slowly finding form and could measure up. Sound chances.
Selections 3 4 1 14
Race 7:
OUR CENTURY (3) Can quicken smartly and has a good record over this trip. Rates well in this race. ECUADOR (1) Shows plenty of heart in its racing. Making headway every start and rates strongly here. MAURUS (4) Honest enough runner who is by no means out of this. Multiples chance. NAVAL WARFARE (6) Has the talent to figure and presents solid claims in this. Consider an each way bet.
Selections 3 1 6
Race 8:
I THOUGHT SO (8) Very reliable type who looks ideally suited by this race. The speed map is good and looks hard to beat. TO EXCESS (4) Useful type and a definite improver. Rates highly. WIDGEE TURF (1) Can finish with intent and well worth keeping safe in this company. Market may be ultimate guide. PECANS (3) Better placed in this grade and may sneak under the bookmaker’s radar. Underrated.
Selections 8 1 4 3
Race 9:
BEACON (4) Highly promising runner who will no doubt be running on. Among better hopes. KOOL VINNIE (3) Useful enough horse. One to watch and an each way chance. SCHUBERT (5) Seems to always run well and pays to follow their consistency. Will be around the mark at odds. SPARKY LAD (9) Could see a solid effort today. A few breaks and you never know.
Selections 4 3 5 9
Race 6:
LIVE AND FREE in strong form with two wins from four attempts this campaign and won last start at Rosehill, tough to beat. TURNBERRY has four placings from five runs this prep and is up in journey, quinella. MEROVEE ran six lengths back from the winner last start at Rosehill when resuming and rises in distance, place best. ALMIGHTY CROWN in strong form with two wins from four attempts this campaign and coming off a win at Warwick Farm, place only.
Race 7:
ECUADOR has run well on a softer track and has three placings from three runs this prep, commands respect. LOVANI generally races near the speed and carrying less weight, dangerous. OUR CENTURY won last start at Rosehill and up in journey, the real danger in the race. MAURUS rates well on a softer track and carrying less weight, sneaky chance.
Race 8:
WIDGEE TURF has been running well this campaign winning five times and placing in all other outings, a winning chance. I THOUGHT SO back after 19 week break and won both trials, could upset. PERIZADA back from 11 week let-up. Proven first-up winning two from six when fresh and placed at Canberra last go, looks threatening. TO EXCESS coming off a win at Scone when fresh and placed twice at Randwick but been unable to get a win, each-way claims.
Race 9:
BEACON just missed as favourite last start at Warwick Farm and has good early speed, hard to go past. SCHUBERT has been running well this campaign winning twice and placing in all other outings, still in this. PLAYARD has won at Bathurst and placed three times this prep. Kept chasing and just missed last start at Scone, needs the breaks. VOLPE goes well on a softer track and running 6kg lighter than last start, place best.
Sandown
Race 3, No. 12 Opposition – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Race 7, No. 6 Silvera – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Quaddie: 1, 5, 6 / 2, 6, 9, 10, 11 / 2, 4, 9 / 1, 5, 10
Surveyed on course bookmakers recommend you lay (bet against) the following runners:
Race 4 #1 Gold Medals
Race 9 #1 Fifty Stars – selected by two bookmakers
Runners are listed in number order, not order of preference.
Race 6: 1, 2, 3, 7
Race 7: 2, 8, 9, 11
Race 8: 1, 4, 5, 8
Race 9: 1, 2, 5, 10
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 6:
SPEED: 2, 8 may lead 10, 13 with 3, 5, 7 up there? 4, 9 next? LUCKY FOR ALL is very exciting. He still did things wrong at Caulfield and it was his first go beyond 1700m yet he relished the fearsome speed (sign of a great athlete) and thrashed two quality 3YOs, running his final three 200m splits in near-identical time (around 12.2). HEAVENLY THOUGHT was beaten 0.7L by him at the Bool then walked in here at 1800m. PURE SCOT was competitive in a strong Group 1 Oaks in SA last time. Mahamedeis form prior ties her in. NOTHIN’ LEICA HIGH a hope. RENEGADE, JOHNNY VINKO ditto. GREYCLIFFE improves?
Selections 1 3 9 4
Race 7:
SPEED: 2 can lead 7, 9, 11 with 1 off those? Deep BM84. JAMAICAN RAIN looked like Phar Lap fresh at Cranbourne. She drops in weight and 1400m suits her even better. She’s been on the heels of group-class mares. JAWS OF STEEL had the good run and beat CASTELO and SILVERA. It was a handy field but a busy finish. GALAXY RAIDER was out-toughed at Flemington. His win here prior was super at 1400m. DIVINE MR ARTIE has had little go right this prep. Like him out to 1400m here and drawn wide.
Selections 11 8 3 9
Race 8:
SPEED: 7 looks the leader with 2, 4, 6 & 12 up there. 1, 3, 10 off those? VELOCITA didn’t have much luck in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks last time. Go back three runs and she beat Savacool, who then impressed winning at Caulfield beating PALAZZO VECCHIO. PRETTY TO SEA also comes through the Schweppes Oaks and she wasn’t disgraced at all. HONEY ESPRIT gave 1.5kg to the smart Platinum Angel latest and was no match but she beat QUIETLY ANGRY and others quite well. First go 1600m. SMOOTH LANDING has a case for sure. She beat Platinum Angel two back!
Selections 8 3 2 4
Race 9:
SPEED: 1, 2 & 10 with 11, 12 up there. 6, 7 take sit? 4 next? The unbeaten and highly promising FIFTY STARS beat ANDAZ and MR MONEY BAGS at Hillside. Safe to say Andaz was excellent running home 10.96/11.84 off modest tempo and he does have 2.5kg swing on winner today. Mr Money Bags was right behind LORD SUNDOWNER prior when second up. Forgiving Lord Sundowner’s miss last week at 1600m. He pulled up with slow recovery also. WASSERGEIST was below his best last time. He beat subsequent Caulfield winner EXCELTARA prior and has Lord Sundowner form from last prep. DANGER DEAL a hope, back to 1400m?
Selections 5 2 1 4
Unibet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 6:
LUCKY FOR ALL (1) Racing in great form and anywhere near best form should result in a win here. Top selection. HEAVENLY THOUGHT (3) Chance in this line up and a market watch advised for this runner. Don’t leave out of trifectas. PURE SCOT (9) Don’t discard this runner completely. Betting may be best guide to the chances and each way is the likely play. JOHNNY VINKO (7) Only fair of late however can make amends here. One at a bit of odds.
Selections 1 3 9 7
Race 7:
JAMAICAN RAIN (11) Capable of another strong showing and is very well suited here. Respect. JAWS OF STEEL (9) Solid performer and strips fitter. Appears a winning threat. GALAXY RAIDER (8) Not all that far away in previous runs and this trip suits. Winning hope. SILVERA (6) Only fair form of late. Can bounce back and represents a minor chance in this.
Selections 11 9 8 6
Race 8:
HONEY ESPRIT (4) Proven in these conditions and can give a good sight. Could prove hard to beat. SMOOTH LANDING (8) Some claims if brings best form. May need this but still worth an each way ticket. VELOCITA (3) Promising galloper who has the ability to have an impact. Go well here. BLACK AND TAN (9) Solid return to form wouldn’t surprise and has genuine place claims. Use betting as a guide.
Selections 4 8 3 9
Race 9:
FIFTY STARS (1) Can finish intently and should be highly competitive here. One of the better chances. ANDAZ (5) Fitter now. Making strong inroads at the end of races and well worth another chance. DANGER DEAL (9) Promising chance who is capable of giving a sight. Has the ability to figure. DUALITY (10) Showing some promise. Won’t be far away and represents an each way player.
Selections 1 5 9 10
Race 6:
Hard to imagine top pick being beaten. LUCKY FOR ALL last start win at Caulfield took streak to three in a row and tends to go well on a softer track, leading hope. HEAVENLY THOUGHT last start winner at Sandown on a soft track and goes well at the track, place best. GREYCLIFFE generally races near the speed and placed once this prep at Morphettville, needs the breaks. JOHNNY VINKO close last start at Sandown and running 5kg lighter than last start, place claims.
Race 7:
Ratings suggest top selection will be too good. JAMAICAN RAIN last start winner at Cranbourne on a heavy track when resuming and has gone well on a softer track, will take the power of beating. JAWS OF STEEL looking for a hattrick after winning two in a row at Caulfield and Warrnambool, place only. GALAXY RAIDER winner at Sandown and placed twice this campaign, not the worst. PEACOCK likes the cut in the ground and should look to roll forward, strong place chance.
Race 8:
HONEY ESPRIT rates well in these conditions and two wins from six attempts this campaign, commands respect. PALAZZO VECCHIO has two placings from five runs this prep and will appreciate the cut in the ground, could threaten. SMOOTH LANDING winner at Pakenham Park and placed once this campaign, the real danger in the race. LIGHT ROMANCE finished in the middle of the pack last start at Caulfield on a soft track and rates highly with Ben E Thompson aboard, place claims.
Race 9:
Trying to find the quinella here with a dominant top pick. FIFTY STARS unbeaten in all three runs and gave nothing else a chance to win last start at Sandown, perfectly placed. ANDAZ placed last start at Sandown and down in weight, place best. DUALITY gave nothing else a chance to win last start to break maiden at Sandown on a soft track and has had a flying start to their career, quinella. LORD SUNDOWNER short back-up of seven days. Has won at Pakenham Park and placed once this prep, not the worst.