The following is a selection of Australian racing tips for Saturday, February 16. The focus is on Randwick and Flemington. The highlights include the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (Race 8) at Flemington and the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (Race 6),featuring Winx, at Randwick. Selected races at Ascot, Doomben and Morphettville are also covered.
More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets of the day
Flemington Race 5, No. 4 Fundamentalist
Flemington Race 7, No.13 Adana, No. 2 Extra Brut
Randwick Race 5, No. 9 Brutal
Randwick Race 7, No. 8 Sylvia’s Mother
Ascot
Race 7, No. 8 Rockon Tommy – each-way -3.5 stars
Doomben
Race 9, No. 4 Tumbler – 4.5 stars
Morphettville
Race 6, No. 9 Aussie Jack – 3.5 stars
Race 7, No. 7 Excessabeel – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Flemington
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: OCEAN DEEP
Race 2: SCHABAU
Race 3: MYSTYKO
Race 4: TALENTED
Race 5: VERRY ELLEEGANT
Race 6: ANTAH
Race 7: EXTRA BRUT
Race 8: 1. SUNLIGHT, 2. Osborne Bulls, 3. Jedastar, 4. Lean Mean Machine
Race 9: WIDGEE TURF
Race 6, No. 10 Antah – 3.5 stars
Race 7, No. 5 Performer – each-way – 3.5 stars
Race 8:
Best: Osborne Bulls WIN ($6.00) – 4.5 stars
Exotic: Box Trifecta (1, 10, 9, 6) $20 for 83.33%
Race 9, No. 11 Zebulon – each-way – 3.5 stars
Race 3: Back Mystyko (5.00) and Chauffeur (8.00) to win.
Race 5: Back Fundamentalist (3.30) to win.
Race 8:
Tips:
1. In Her Time
2. Osborne Bulls
3. Sunlight
Suggested Bet:
Back In Her Time (5.00) to win.
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 5:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #9 Shamwow
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #10 Scottish Rogue
Race 8:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #4 In Her Time
Race 5: Fundamentalist
Race 7: Adana (each-way)
Race 8: Osborne Bulls (each-way)
Race 5:
5. My Pendant (5 stars)
4. Fundamentalist (4 stars)
3. The Closer (2 stars)
1. Amphitrite (2 stars)
Race 7:
2. Extra Brut (5 stars)
1. Ringerdingding (4 stars)
4. Ranier (2 stars)
3. Stars Of Carrum (2 stars)
Race 8:
7. Written By (3 stars)
1. Osborne Bulls (3 stars)
2. Battle Hero (3 stars)
4. In Her Time (3 stars)
Unibet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
AMPHITRITE(1) First-up. Won in Mdn company at Sale first-up last campaign. Down in class. Races well on this track. THE CLOSER(3) First-up. Good chance here and is a winner first up previously. FUNDAMENTALIST(4) Just behind the placegetters at Caulfield first-up. Will only be fitter. Rates highly.
Selections: 1 Amphitrite, 3 The Closer, 4 Fundamentalist, 2 Verry Elleegant
Race 7:
ADANA(13) Right in the thick of it at Rosehill first-up. Fitter. Should be competitive. AGE OF CHIVALRY(14) Strong on-pace victory at Sandown-Lakeside at latest. THE INEVITABLE(8) Freshened. Shooting for 5 wins in a row. Quickened smartly to score at short odds at Hobart at latest.
Selections: 13 Adana, 14 Chivalry, 8 The Inevitable, 2 Extra Brut
Race 8:
GRAFF(8) First-up. Worth noting won G3 last time in. Decent alley. LEAN MEAN MACHINE(9) Resuming. Won in G2 company at Rosehill first-up last campaign. Worth some thought. SUNLIGHT(10) First-up. Honest competitor. Placed in Listed company at Morphettville first-up last campaign. One of the major players.
Selections: 8 Graff, 9 Lean Mean Machine, 10 Sunlight, 11 Jedastar
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
Not sure speed, maybe 4 leads 3, 6. Some promising fillies engaged here but the (proven) class is at the top with AMPHITRITE, who was a brilliant winner fresh last prep and whose recent jumpout win in the fastest time of the morning says she has come back well. VERRY ELLEEGANT has some serious talent but, equally, her share of issues with regards to her racing manners! FUNDAMENTALIST went well in fast time against males fresh and has a one-one record with Amphitrite. There is merit on clock (and formlines) with SHAMWOW, AMANIKAN and ALEXANDRIA.
Selections: 1. Amphitrite, 2. Verry Elleegant, 4. Fundamentalist, 9. Shamwow
Race 7:
SPEED: 14 can lead 12, 10 with 4, 8, 15, 17 up there. RINGERDINGDING backs up from a sound return at Caulfield. EXTRA BRUT has trialled well. He measured up to G1/WFA class at end of his first prep after winning a brutal VRC Derby. Good horse! RANIER was wide fresh in that (fast) Tin Hat race. He is better suited here/1400m. ADANA was very good behind him in Carbine Club given the leaders crawled: the overs? PERFORMER’s late splits were very good fresh against older horses. Yes 1400m. CHAPADA could be anything. AGE OF CHIVALRY comes off two high-rating wins.
Selections: 13. Adana, 2. Extra Brut, 5. Performer, 14. Age Of Chivalry
Race 8:
Always a great race. There is little doubt the 3YOs measure up based on what we saw in the spring. I am on record as saying GRAFF was the best run in The Everest and SUNLIGHT arguably should have won the G1 Mankato. Both races, obviously, were against older horses. IN HER TIME flies fresh and was bloused in track-record time first up last prep. Graff’s sole dry-track defeat was an excellent third in a Golden Rose. OSBORNE BULLS is unbeaten fresh. These three have never raced at 1000m though. LEAN MEAN MACHINE beat Graff fresh last prep. Sunlight beat him, and WRITTEN BY, in the Coolmore here.
Selections: 4. In Her Time, 8. Graff, 1. Osborne Bulls, 10. Sunlight
Race 5:
FUNDAMENTALIST came of age toward the end of her last prep with three straight placings at Group level and picked up where she left off first up when fourth in the Manfred Stakes. Has a fitness edge over the other two market elects. Ran second to Amphitrite in the Thousand Guineas last spring. Now meets her 2.5kg better at the weights for just a slender defeat. THE CLOSER resumes. Gives a lot of these a bit in terms of experience having just had the three starts however has made a big impression through those outings. Her Eureka Stockade success at Bendigo in November was top shelf. Can pick up where she left off. AMPHITRITE won the Edward Manifold/Thousand Guineas double last spring before two forgettable outings during the Flemington Carnival. One of the proven fillies of this field along with VERRY ELLEEGANT.
Race 7:
ADANA ventures down to Melbourne after finding the line well first up at Rosehill behind the promising Vegadaze. Has always promised plenty. Resumed like he is ready to deliver on it this prep. O’TAUTO is the new kid on the scene coming here off winning his fourth career start at this course and distance last month. Will settle back and be charging late. RINGERDINGDING will be better suited around the more spacious Flemington after placing in the Autumn Stakes behind Hawkshot last Saturday. PERFORMER was making good late ground against the older horses at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Will be fitter for the run and appeals back to his own age. EXTRA BRUT will be better suited over further. That said, class alone should see him a long way here. RANIER rounds out an event which has some good depth to it.
Race 8:
OSBORNE BULLS resumes. Had a superb spring campaign which returned two stakes successes, including one down the Flemington straight and a closing third in The Everest. Is unbeaten from three prior first up runs. SUNLIGHT resumes. Won eight races through 2018 which culminated with a success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Returns to the scene of the crime and is yet to run out of the money in three prior first up outings. IN HER TIME boasts strong open weight-for-age form from 2018. First up record strong. WRITTEN BY has a fitness edge over his above mentioned rivals having run second in the W.J Adams Stakes a fortnight ago.
Race 5:
FUNDAMENTALIST Looked in need of the run when fourth in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield resuming last start. Was placed in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last preparation and this looks a suitable assignment with the first-up run under her belt. THE CLOSER Has won two from three and resumes with the benefit of a Cranbourne trial. Would only need to be close to right to be in the finish. AMPHITRITE Resumes without a trial and having her first run for new stable. Won four on the trot at the start of her last preparation culminating in a win in the Group I Thousand Guineas. Only has to have settled into the new surroundings to be right in the finish. SHAMWOW Had plenty on a maiden field at Sale resuming last start. Looks to have some upside and I wouldn’t be under estimating her stepping up to Stakes grade.
Race 7:
EXTRA BRUT Has only missed a place once in seven starts and four times a winner including the Victoria Derby. Resumes and has had the benefit of a trial and has the race form to win this if anywhere near right. RINGERDINGDING Finished his race off nicely when third in the Autumn Stakes last week. The barrier hasn’t helped but with any sort of luck will be in the finish fitter second-up. THE INEVITABLE Crosses Bass Straight on the back of four straight wins including the Tasmanian Guineas last start. This is his toughest test to date but it is hard to knock the winning form. O’TAUTO Hasn’t finished worse than second in his four starts to date including a win this track and distance last start. Has to take the step up to Stakes company but looks up to the task.
Race 8:
SUNLIGHT Has a magnificent record winning on eight occasions and finishing in the placings three time from her 12 starts and won the Group I Coolmore before spelling. Hasn’t trialled but Tony McEvoy will have her ready to go and she is the one to beat. LEAN MEAN MACHINE Won the Run To The Rose at Rosehill first up last preparation and was placed in the Group I Coolmore before spelling. Has had the benefit of a couple of trials and looks primed for a first-up win. IN HER TIME Resumes and was placed in the Group II Premiere Stakes at Randwick first-up last preparation and finished a close second in the Group I VRC Sprint before spelling. Would only need to be close to right to be in the finish. OSBORNE BULLS Has an impressive record with nine wins and four placings from 14 starts. Resumes but is unbeaten first-up and will be charging home late.
Randwick
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: ROTATOR
Race 2: FUI SAN
Race 3: OUR GRAVANO
Race 4: PARET
Race 5: DOTHRAKI
Race 6: WINX
Race 7: EL DORADO DREAMING
Race 8: I AM EXCITED
Race 9: PENSKE
Race 4, No. 10 Diplomatico – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 8, No. 1 I Am Excited – 4 stars
Race 3: Back Gayatri (2.05) to win.
Race 6: Back Aloisia (7.50) in the Winx-out market.
Race 5: Brutal
Race 6: Winx
Race 7: Sylvia’s Mother
Race 8: Invincible Gem
Race 5:
9. Brutal (3 stars)
2. Dreamforce (3 stars)
1. Dothraki (3 stars)
3. Kaepernick (3 stars)
Race 6:
5. Winx (5 stars)
3. Brimham Rocks (4 stars)
6. Unforgotten (2 stars)
2. Patrick Erin (2 stars)
Race 7:
1. Oohood (5 stars)
8. Sylvia’s Mother (3 stars)
4. Terminology (2 stars)
5. Melt (2 stars)
Race 8:
9. Sweet Scandal (3 stars)
7. Manicure (3 stars)
1. I Am Excited (3 stars)
10. Alassio (3 stars)
Unibet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
BRUTAL(9) First-up. Undefeated galloper. Won in Open company at Caulfield first-up last campaign. Suited over this distance. Include among the better chances. DREAMFORCE(2) Resuming. Performs well fresh. Has had success at this track. Worth some thought. DOTHRAKI(1) Veteran who retains zest for racing. Handy and boxed on fairly to fill the minors at Rosehill last start. Drawn favourably.
Selections: 9 Brutal, 2 Dreamforce, 1 Dothraki, 3 Kaepernick
Race 6:
WINX(5) First-up. Shooting for 30 wins in a row. Saluted at Randwick first-up last time in. Has had success around this circuit. The one to beat. HAPPY CLAPPER(1) Resuming. Generally competitive fresh. Loves this track/distance. Drawn well. Can figure. UNFORGOTTEN(6) Resuming. Could sneak a place at odds.
Selections: 5 Winx, 1 Happy Clapper, 6 Unforgotten, 7 Egg Tart
Race 7:
SYLVIA’S MOTHER(8) Shooting for 5 wins in a row. Impressive win at short odds here last time out. Right in this. MISS FABULASS(6) Resuming. Worth noting won Mdn last time in. Looks one of the main chances. OOHOOD(1) Resuming. Worth including.
Selections: 8 Sylvia’s Mother, 6 Miss Fabulass, 1 Oohood, 2 El Dorado Dreaming
Race 8:
SWEET SCANDAL(9)Freshened. Shooting for hat-trick. Won in easy fashion at Rosehill last start. Expect will be prominent from the decent draw. Rates highly. ALASSIO(10) On pace and boxed on to fill the minors at Warwick Farm last outing. Nice gate. Can play a role. MANICURE(7) Freshened. Consistent mare. On pace and fought on bravely to place at short odds at Gold Coast at latest. Proven performer over this trip. Keep in mind.
Selections: 9 Sweet Scandal, 10 Alassio, 7 Manicure, 5 Resin
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
The first of today’s Group races is a ripper sprint with 7 of the 10 resuming. 2 might lead from 9, 8 and 1. 3YO colt BRUTAL decided to bypass a wet track out west last weekend and instead trialed at Rosehill on Monday. He coasted to victory in clearly the fastest time of the morning. Should cross quite comfortably from an outside draw and be somewhere in top four. Tipping him fairly confidently despite being very drawn to some backmarkers here. KAEPERNICK likes racing at Randwick and will close off strong. LANICATO started last prep flashing at the line to be beaten 1.5L at this track/trip behind Pierata/Kementari. That translates well here.
Selections: 9. Brutal, 3. Kaepernick, 4. Lanciato, 5. Noire
Race 6:
Alright now, here we have it, the return of the great champion WINX. TOM MELBOURNE (off a glorious win!) is the only one with race fitness and for mine should get out front and use that advantage. Regrettably for him the make-up of this field will mean he returns to the minor placings but there will be no disgrace in that. It has been a long time since WINX settled front half in a race but she will probably have to here and that’s just fine. Recent trials indicate she is going as well as ever and if she can return anywhere near her best then it’s curtains for her opposition. Only hard-line contrarians want her beaten at this stage of her career, the rest of us will sit back and smile when she notches her thirtieth straight victory.
Selections: 5. Winx, 1. Happy Clapper, 4. Tom Melbourne, 6. Unforgotten
Race 7:
A very appealing collection of fillies this. Speed supplied by 4 (mainly) with 3 and 11 possibly handy. SYLVIA’S MOTHER is hard-fit and putting together a picket fence. Big winning chance but my guess is the market will have her a touch shorter than I can get her. There are others here like POHUTAKAWA, MISS FABULASS and NAKEETA JANE that will surely want further (the latter two head Oaks markets) but may rise to a new level this prep. I fancy MADAM ROUGE might be able to find her way into the finish from a spot just off the pace. I doubt she rises to a level as some of her opposition but her trials have pleased and she has won her latest two fresh.
Selections: 9. Madam Rouge, 8. Sylvia’s Mother, 6. Miss Fabulass, 2. El Dorado Dreaming
Race 8:
7, 9, 10 and 11 ensure a genuine speed. That will help I AM EXCITED who is good fresh and I think likes things when she can settle well back and launch late. She will have the chance to be doing that here. ALASSIO comes back to us after racing in good company last weekend. Drawn sweetly to have some good on-speed options. MANICURE still lightly raced and can cross up from her wide draw. She has been in arrears of I AM EXCITED on a couple of occasions (including on on debut) but didn’t have much luck either time. Not sure 1200m fresh is ideally suitable for PRINCESS POSH but she is an admirable mare that will win her fair share of races this prep.
Selections: 1. I Am Excited, 10. Alassio, 7. Manicure, 3. Princess Posh
Race 5:
BRUTAL creates plenty of interest in his return, unbeaten in three starts during his maiden preparation. Trialled very well at Rosehill during the week and appears very well placed down in the weights. Drawn a touch awkwardly, but can press forward and shapes as one of the hardest to beat. DREAMFORCE went into the paddock in winning form and while he will be better over further, he should be able to sprint well fresh with Bowman booked. ALBUMIN has trialled up well and cannot be taken lightly down in the weights.
Race 6:
Scary to think WINX is back better than ever, but her recent trials suggest she is going as good as ever. No doubt 1400m is short of her best, but this simply should be a case of how far Bowman wants to win by. If there is a danger it is HAPPY CLAPPER, happy to put a pen right through his last preparation as his most recent trial suggests he is certainly back on track. Flies fresh and loves Randwick. Just needs his even share of luck to run second. ALOISIA was back on track prior to a break and cannot be taken lightly (for a place).
Race 7:
SYLVIA’S MOTHER faces his stiffest test to date, but has race fitness on her side and if they do press forward from the wide draw, she has the race shape on her side as well. No question this is a big step up, but she is clearly progressive and shapes as one of the hardest to beat. MISS FABULASS is the obvious, however feel she will be better over further this time in and may find them a touch sharp. Nonetheless you have to respect her class. POHUTUKAWA cannot be taken lightly in her return.
Race 8:
NVINCIBLE GEM generally runs very well fresh and she appears well placed back against her own sex. Races well at this C&D and has drawn to receive all the favours for Bowman. Well placed on best form and shapes as one of the hardest to beat. SIREN’S FURY is likely to be big odds, but is more than capable on best form and cannot be taken lightly in her return. SWEET SCANDAL is flying and obviously has to be respected, along with talented mare I AM EXCITED.
Race 5:
BRUTAL first-up after 22 week spell and won at Caulfield in first outing, leading hope. DON’T GIVE A DAMN back from 15 week spell and strong in winning last start at Rosehill, don’t dismiss. DREAMFORCE resumes after a spell of 14 weeks and placed when trialling at this track, place chance. NOIRE back from 15 week spell and fitter for multiple trial runs, place hope.
Race 6:
Only one real pick to be made. WINX resumes from a 16 week spell and proven first-up runner winning in seven of seven attempts including a win at Randwick last try, looks a sure thing. ALOISIA back from let-up and trialled at Randwick, place only. HAPPY CLAPPER first-up after 22 week spell and doesn’t take many to get going winning three when fresh, place claims. BRIMHAM ROCKS back after 15 week break and placed in all races to date, include in exotics.
Race 7:
SYLVIA’S MOTHER winner of four in a row after last start win at Randwick and capable of closing gamely, will take the power of beating. MISS FABULASS resumes after a spell of 20 weeks and has shown potential in trials, don’t treat lightly. OOHOOD back from 15 week spell and generally strong first-up, each-way claims. NAKEETA JANE resumes after a spell of 20 weeks and won or placed in three races to start career, place hope.
Race 8:
One of the toughest races of the meeting. MANICURE narrowly beaten when heavily backed last start at Gold Coast and a winner at first outing this prep, well placed. INVINCIBLE GEM resumes from a 15 week spell and proven first-up winning two from five when fresh, could upset. BELLA MARTINI first-up after 15 week spell and will come to hand quickly, could threaten. ALASSIO short back-up of seven days. Winner at Rosehill and placed twice this campaign, cannot be ruled out.