The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, February 22. The highlight of the day is the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (Race 7) at Caulfield. The two other Group 1’s on the day are the Futurity Stakes (Race 6) and the Oakleigh Plate (Race 8). Other group races at Caulfield and Rosehill are also covered, along with selected races at Eagle Farm and Morphettville. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Caulfield Race 6, No. 1 Kolding and No. 8 Super Seth
Caulfield Race 8, No. 3 Bivouac
Caulfield Race 9, No. 5 Regal Power
Rosehill Race 7, No. 2 Microphone
Caulfield
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 2, No.3 Adelaide Ace – 4.5 stars
Race 6:
1. Kolding – 3.5 stars
2. Super Seth
3. Melody Belle
4. Cape Of Good Hope
5.Streets Of Avalon
Best Bet: Kolding ($3.20)
Best Value: Cape Of Good Hope ($26.00)
Exotic: Trifecta: 1/8, 1/7/8, 1/7/8/6
Race 7:
1. Letzbeglam – 3.5 stars
2. Hanseatic
3. Aryaaf
4. Away Game
5. Rulership
Best Bet: Letzbeglam ($7.50)
Best Value: Aryaaf ($26)
Exotic: Boxed Exacta: 2,6,8,10,11
Race 8:
1. Bivouac – BEST BET – 5 stars
2. Anaheed
3. Bold Star
4. Zoutori
5. Trope
Best Bet: Bivouac ($2.90)
Best Value: Zoutori ($18.00)
Exotic: Trifecta: 3/16, 3/16/10/7/2, 3/16/10/7/2/1
Quaddie: 1,8/2,11/3/4,5,7,9
Race 7:
1. Hanseatic
2. Letzbeglam
3. Aryaaf
4. Personal
Race 6:
1. Kolding
2. Super Seth
3. Melody Belle
Race 8:
Bold Star (15.00, 4.00) (each way)
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 2:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #9 Miami Bound
Race 5:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #1 Acting; #7 Score
Race 6:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #3 Streets Of Avalon; #1 Kolding
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #11 Letzbeglam; #2 Hanseatic
Race 8:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #3 Bivouac
Race 9:
Betting Confidence: High
Back – #4 Kings Will Dream
Race 2: Miami Bound
Race 3: Express Pass
Race 4: Spanish Reef
Race 5: Acting
Race 6: Super Seth
Race 7: Rulership
Race 8: Bivouac
Race 9: Regal Power
Race 2:
MIAMI BOUND (9) kicks off over 1800m and that looks a positive lead to her being back and ready to go after her successful Oaks campaign in the spring. She was terrific right through the preparation and her stable are still humming along nicely. Thought ADELAIDE ACE (3) was terrific in the 1400m lead up given that this trip looked sure to be what he was after. Talented and looks certain to be well fancied in this. LEGION OF MERIT (8) was okay behind him and can be a knockout chance up to 1800m. NONCONFORMIST (2) and THINK ‘N’ FLY (4) are obviously coming right up in grade now but they are winning and doing it well and either could take the step up without surprising.
Race 3:
EXPRESS PASS (6) is interesting here. Ran a cracker when placed in the Danehill second up last prep and thought he ran really well when resuming after making a mess of the start. Rates to measure right up to these on what he did there and think he can go around over the odds. PANDEMIC (2) is sure to get plenty of attention and much of it will be well deserved. Nice win first up from a break and looked a good talent in the making back in the spring. SPEND (3) and GROUNDSWELL (4) will improve in better conditions after failing to give their running first up here in the rain. HE’LL HAUNT US (1) has a hope, though the form around his Gold Coast win hasn’t lit the world in fire.
Race 4:
SPANISH REEF (1) can hold a handy spot from her low draw. That is a big plus for her. She typically takes a couple of runs before hitting her form but thought she ran really well fresh this time around and she strikes a fairly thin line up here. ARISTIA (2) hasn’t won fresh but she typically runs really well at 1400m off a break and she too can look at this as a thinner line up than she might have expected and a chance for her to notch up a valuable win. Empire Rose run rates through the roof against this lot. BAM’S ON FIRE (5) was ordinary last time but she was good prior and can run well here up to 1400m. MY PENDANT (4) can peak third up through the same race while NEWS GIRL (6) must have a great hope if that form is in the game – just has to get the 1400m.
Race 5:
ACTING (1) was very solid first up and now gets to her trip. Back to the scene of her peak win in the spring when she impressed winning the Prelude to the 1000 Guineas and nothing in her fresh run said that she couldn’t return to that form here. From the same race SOUTHBANK (4) also looks sure to improve up in trip and in blinkers now. Not so convincing fresh but she has plenty of talent. MRS BECKHAM (5) is off easier races but think that she measures up. Has been rating well above average in those lesser handicaps. LADY LUPINO (6) showed some signs of a return to form last time and SCORE (7) is one to keep on side from a cheap draw.
Race 6:
SUPER SETH (8) showed fresh that he can lay up handy to a soft tempo and he might just get that ideal scenario here. Three-year-olds have been winning most of what has been put in front of them so far and he can continue the trend by knocking off the older horses here. MELODY BELLE (7) is a star and along with KOLDING (1) is an established top liner around the mile. 1400m around Caulfield might just be on the sharp side for both of them but they remain terrific chances. Giving STREETS OF AVALON (3) a little hope given the likelihood of a cheap lead and he is fit and firing. Really good around the 1400m. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (6) ideally wants further but blinkers on and no doubt trying to show he has speed to the stallion market so ready to go fresh.
Race 7:
HANSEATIC (2) draws one and that makes things interesting. He was awesome in the Prelude, getting himself out of the inside to round them up deepest on the track, but getting out there won’t be so easy this time around you wouldn’t think. Deeper field also means he won’t want to be conceding so much to get away from the inside. If the runs come he is clearly a sensational horse who is the one they have to stop. RULERSHIP (6) had all the favours last time and still couldn’t fend him off but he should get a great run again here and is not without a chance given that. LETZBEGLAM (11) is in similar boat. Slick time in her Prelude and gets a great run here. MUNTASEERA (12) is an improver from that Fillies heat where she was never in the right spot and TAGALOA (5) will relish 1200m now. Nice horse in the making.
Race 8:
BIVOUAC (3) is a star and while he pays for that somewhat under handicap conditions he still appeals as being really well placed as one of the best colts in a stellar group. Drawn to stalk a hot speed and that sounds just perfect. ANAHEED (16) is tough as nails and can relish the high-pressure scenario after winning the lead up in good style. Rated really well. Think the pace scenario can suit TROPE (7) who will be steaming at them late. Doubt we have seen the best of him as yet. PIPPIE (15) can run time. No shock to see her fly along and still be there close to home. HALVORSEN (12) is another swooper that could have things put right on for him. Keeps fronting up.
Race 9:
REGAL POWER (5) can measure right up in the east. Has a booming finish on him and importantly has showed it off steady tempos which is what he is likely to face here. Group One winner back home, but with form that ties in here, and we are still nowhere near the bottom of him. Lightly raced and best days still to come. KINGS WILL DREAM (4) was fantastic fresh and must be a terrific chance on the back of that. 1800m is perfect for him second up. CONSTANTINOPLE (8) may find the trip slick but he is a top talent and very wary of him first up. MISS SISKA (9) will find this much tougher but she won really well resuming and gets a cheap run on the map here. From the same race HARLEM (2) ran really well fresh and has a little hope on the back of that.
Race 2:
4. Think ‘N’ Fly (3 stars)
2. Nonconformist (3 stars)
9. Miami Bound (3 stars)
1. Hi Stranger (3 stars)
Race 3:
5. Sansom (4 stars)
2. Pandemic (3 stars)
4. Groundswell (2 stars)
1. He’ll Haunt Us (2 stars)
Race 4:
8. Power Dream (3 stars)
6. News Girl (3 stars)
5. Bam’s On Fire (3 stars)
10. The Stylist (3 stars)
Race 5:
8. Lunar Light (3 stars)
1. Acting (3 stars)
5. Mrs Beckham (3 stars)
7. Score (3 stars)
Race 6:
1. Kolding (5 stars)
8. Super Seth (4 stars)
2. Black Heart Bart (3 stars)
6. Cape Of Good Hope (2 stars)
Race 7:
8. Away Game (5 stars)
2. Hanseatic (4 stars)
9. A Beautiful Night (2 stars)
12. Muntaseera (2 stars)
Race 8:
3. Bivouac (3 stars)
16. Anaheed (3 stars)
10. Bold Star (3 stars)
1. Ball Of Muscle (3 stars)
Race 9:
5. Regal Power (5 stars)
7. Odeon (4 stars)
9. Miss Siska (2 stars)
3. Levendi (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 2:
No natural leader here. 2, 6 likely take it up with 4, 5, 1 right up there. ADELAIDE ACE was a terrific return winner then I was happy to risk him staying at 1400m second up, he matched motors with Group 1 3YO Microphone there and now gets up in trip. NONCONFORMIST has been to 1600m twice, for two dominant wins. In the latter he beat Brazen Song, who had form around Swing And Boom, who wasn’t disgraced last week in a Group 2 behind Bonvicini. That ties in the filly MIAMI BOUND, who did win first up last prep and has real quality. REBEL RACER has upside.
Selections: 3. Adelaide Ace (top tip), 9. Miami Bound, 2. Nonconformist, 6. Rebel Racer
Race 3:
SPEED: 3, 5 can lead. 6 can sit closer if they jump clean. PANDEMIC has won three of five and been on the heels of Funstar and Standout (who recently beat Alizee and Kolding). He has run fast times throughout his career. First go Caulfield and the Melbourne way. GROUNDSWELL looked all at sea in the ground here fresh, expecting much better on drier! SPEND also failed in that Manfred and the rider said he didn’t handle it. He did win on heavy on debut and beat True Detective, who recently chased Pandemic, so fancy he is a danger here. EXPRESS PASS was good fresh against the pattern of the day.
Selections: 2. Pandemic (top tip), 3. Spend, 4. Groundswell, 6. Express Pass
Race 4:
SPEED: 1, 3 can lead 6. 7, 10 can be right up there. 5 next? Loved the return of SPANISH REEF here in a fast Bellmaine Stakes. She has never won at 1200m so that trip was always going to be a bit sharp, her last 200m was race-fastest and she went by MY PENDANT late there. My Pendant is also suited at 1400m here though and a danger. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR is good on her day but yet to win fresh. ARISTIA was good late fresh last prep at 1200m. The 1400m suits her much better. NEWS GIRL is flying, she was close up in a Group 2 race here her one go at 1400m, and ran very well.
Selections: 1. Spanish Reef (top tip), 6. News Girl, 4. My Pendant, 2. Aristia
Race 5:
SPEED: 6,10 and 1 go forward. 2, 5, 8 handy. ACTING was close up fresh in a fast, on-pace-dominated race and beat home SCORE (back and wide, ran very well) and SOUTHBANK (pleasing return). Acting beat Southbank her one go at 1400m in spring. SNAPDANCER resumes and has been trailing nicely, same story LA TENE. Snapdancer did beat La Tene when they clashed in spring. Liked CHASSIS’s will to win latest and she ran time. MRS BECKHAM is on the up. SELICA has a future also.
Selections: 7. Score (top tip), 1. Acting, 4. Southbank, 9. Snapdancer
Race 6:
SPEED: 3, 4 look leaders from 5, 8. KOLDING made a pleasing return in the Expressway in Sydney. He beat Fierce Impact second up last prep (that horse nearly won the C.F. Orr here) then beat Te Akau Shark. MELODY BELLE is high-class, she was beaten fresh last prep (and Te Akau Shark ran by her, so there’s a neat formline) then won four straight including a brilliant Empire Rose win at Flemington. At this stage I’d say SUPER SETH is a better 3YO than Orr Stakes winner Alabama Express. He is still the only horse to beat Alligator Blood. WILD PLANET my best roughie with STREETS OF AVALON.
Selections: 8. Super Seth (top tip), 1. Kolding, 7. Melody Belle, 4. Wild Planet
Race 7:
SPEED: 9, 7, 11 with 6 taking sit? Any/all of 3, 5, 8, 10 handy. HANSEATIC is the one to beat. Doubt he’s a 1000m horse yet he won the Preview. Then doubt he was suited by a steady mid-race speed in the Prelude yet he stormed home. He’ll relish 1200m. MUNTASEERA is the overs for mine. Tardy, hunted up then luckless at a key stage in Prelude and built speed nicely on/over the line. That Rosehill win prior was exceptional. LETZBEGLAM was wide on speed yet raced clear in the Prelude at just start two. RULERSHIP made Hanseatic dig to beat him. AWAY GAME keeps winning!
Selections: 12. Muntaseera (value bet), 2. Hanseatic, 6. Rulership, 11. Letzbeglam
Race 8:
SPEED: 1, 15, 17, 18 mainly? BIVOUAC is a star 3YO and was a brilliant winner here fresh last time in, in fast time. ANAHEED crossed the line with him when she was second up last prep and has 2.5kg swing today. she comes off an exceptional (and fast) return win! The other two 3YOs aren’t out of this: FREE OF DEBT and I AM IMMORTAL. Some of these older horses are very well weighted against Bivouac relative to WFA. TROPE can fly fresh. CRYSTAL DREAMER beat Gytrash and BALL OF MUSCLE here last prep. HALVORSEN has the Gytrash form also. PIPPIE, BOLD STAR, HUMMA HUMMA, ALL TOO ROYAL are hopes.
Selections: 3. Bivouac (best bet of the day), 16. Anaheed, 7. Trope, 6. Crystal Dreamer
Race 9:
SPEED: 7, 9, 3. All honours MISS SISKA fresh in the Carlyon Cup: sat three wide and still beat them. ODEON hit line nicely behind her and 1800m helps. HARLEM was held up badly behind them both, he was only fully clear 100m out then went over line beautifully. KINGS WILL DREAM just missed them in a Group 1 Orr fresh. He was less dynamic second up last prep but chased a hot speed in the Makybe Diva that day. REGAL POWER is a good horse, he thrashed that same Makybe Diva winner (Gatting) when we last saw him. CONSTANTINOPLE was very good at his Oz debut in the Caul Cup. MIRAGE DANCER improves.
Selections: 5. Regal Power (top tip), 4. Kings Will Dream, 2. Harlem, 9. Miss Siska
Race 2:
Miami Bound (5 stars)
Adelaide Ace (5 stars)
Legion Of Merit (4 stars)
Race 3:
Express Pass (5 stars)
Pandemic (5 stars)
Spend (4 stars)
Race 4:
Spanish Reef (2 stars)
Aristia (5 stars)
Bam’s On Fire (4 stars)
Race 5:
Acting (5 stars)
Southbank (5 stars)
Mrs Beckham (3 stars)
Race 6:
Super Seth (5 stars)
Melody Belle (5 stars)
Kolding (4 stars)
Race 8:
Bivouac (5 stars)
Anaheed (5 stars)
Trope (3 stars)
Race 9:
Regal Power (5 stars)
Kings Will Dream (5 stars)
Constantinople (4 stars)
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 7:
1. LETZBEGLAM, 2. Hanseatic, 3. Away Game, 4. Rulership
Race 8:
1. BIVOUAC, 2. Bold Star, 3. Anaheed, 4. Bons Away
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 7 #11 Letzbeglam
Race 6:
BACK – Super Seth – Bet to WIN (stake 1.5% of your bank)
Race 7:
BACK – LETZBEGLAM – Bet to WIN (stake 0.7% of your bank)
Eagle Farm
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 2, No.1 Breakdance – 3.5 stars
Morphettville
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 1, No.7 Beauty – 4 stars
Rosehill
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 4, No.1 White Moss – 4 stars
Quaddie: 8,9,10/1,2,4/2,3,4/4,5,9,10,11,13
Race 7: Microphone
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 3:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #2 Global Quest
Race 4:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #3 Invincible Gem
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #5 Kubrick
Race 3: North Pacific
Race 4: Savatiano
Race 7: Microphone
Race 3:
CELLSABEEL (6) went like an absolute bomb at this C&D last start, prompting her to be installed the Golden Slipper favourite. Comes here fresh (35 days) having elected to miss the Inglis Millennium, but does sport Glue on Shoes (front first time)? No doubt the one to beat on her last start effort, but hard to dive in at the short odds if they are having issues with her feet. NORTH PACIFIC (4) creates plenty of interest fresh on debut for Team Hawkes. Was well-supported in the All-In markets ($15 > $5) and they have obviously saved him for this. Big market watch. GLOBAL QUEST (2) wasn’t disgraced last start, but still took a while to pick up and get the feeling he will be better over further, still has to be respected though. BLAZE A TRAIL (3) the next in line in his return.
Race 4:
SAVATIANO (2) went out a winner at Newcastle and appears very well placed in her return. Has trialled well in the lead up and while yet to really fire at this track, she’s drawn to get into a lovely spot and her class should carry her a long way. WHITE MOSS (1) stuck on well behind Standout in the Expressway last start and did win this race last year. Has won 3/4 second up and should take some catching. INVINCIBLE GEM (3) could be the sleeper in this race having performed well prior to a break. The booking of Bowman another push. IRITHEA (5) is fit and appears the next in line.
Race 7:
MICROPHONE (2) bounced back to winning form at Caulfield last start when doing just enough to wear down Banquo. Still not overly enthused by him this preparation, but he sets up so well third up getting onto a wet track, whereas his main rivals are all first up. If they roll from the wide draw, he should be too good. CASTELVECCHIO (1) is on a Derby path and is likely to find this too short, but the wet track is an interesting dynamic, it could bring them back to him. SHADOW HERO (4) is in a similar boat, though confident he is better on top of the ground. KUBRICK (5) went out a winner and appears the next in line.
Race 3:
5. Every Rose (3 stars)
1. Farnan (3 stars)
2. Global Quest (3 stars)
6. Cellsabeel (2 stars)
Race 4:
2. Savatiano (5 stars)
3. Invincible Gem (4 stars)
4. Miss Fabulass (2 stars)
5. Irithea (2 stars)
Race 7:
1. Castelvecchio (3 stars)
2. Microphone (3 stars)
4. Shadow Hero (3 stars)
7. Pancho (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 3:
Golden Slipper favourite CELLSABEEL has readjusted her approach to the big race on March 21 and finds herself here instead of the postponed Inglis Millennium for which she was a short-priced favourite. Now 5 weeks between runs and with her main aim 4 weeks away her readiness will be short of 100% but her figures suggest she is a cut above and I am comfortable to say she deserves to be well into the red. BLAZE A TRAIL met her in the Golden Gift, started a quarter her price and beat her home. Clearly she had problems in the run there though and was within 1L in the end. Newcomer NORTH PACIFIC looked good coasting home in a trial and should be kept safe.
Selections: 6. Cellsabeel (top tip), 3. Blaze A Trail, 4. North Pacific, 8. Fayerra
Race 4:
Kris Lees with half the small field in the 2020 edition of the Millie Fox but I have this as a tough race to win as WHITE MOSS is here to defend her title and SAVATIANO (who was 3rd last year, beaten only half a length) comes with her formidable 1300m record. I have WHITE MOSS as hardest to beat, now with the Expressway run under her belt. IRITHEA faded in the same race but is well suited back against all mares.
Selections: 1. White Moss (top tip), 2. Savatiano, 5. Irithea, 3. Invincible Gem
Race 7:
CASTELVECCHIO went winless last prep but enhanced his reputation without question. Going to the break with a Cox Plate 2nd to Lys Gracieux – with Te Akau Shark 2L back in 3rd – he can certainly stare down all his opposition here and know he has climbed higher mountains than they have. The other hand says that fresh at 1400m is not his perfect setup. MICROPHONE has met him twice and won both those races (with CASTEL 3rd). Two starts worth of race fitness, and likely more positive positioning, give him a clear edge here.
Selections: 2. Microphone (best bet of the day), 1. Castelvecchio, 12. Spend, 4. Shadow Hero
Race 3:
Cellsabeel (5 stars)
North Pacific (4 stars)
Global Quest (4 stars)
Race 4:
Savatiano (5 stars)
White Moss (4 stars)
Invincible Gem (4 stars)
Race 7:
Microphone (5 stars)
Castelvecchio (4 stars)
Shadow Hero (3 stars)
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 2 #1 Mr Wong – LAY BET
Race 5 #5 Black Magnum – BEST BET
Race 6 #3 Wu Gok – VALUE BET