The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, March 28. The highlights of the day are the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (Race 6) and Vinery Stud Stakes (Race 7) at Rosehill. The other group races at Rosehill are also covered, along with selected races at Bendigo. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Bendigo Race 1, No. 2 Grand Promenade
Rosehill Race 3: No. 1 Quick Thinker
Rosehill Race 5: No. 12 Handle The Truth – each-way
Rosehill Race 7: No. 1 Funstar
Rosehill Race 8: No. 8 Sweet Deal
Bendigo
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 1, No.2 Grand Promenade – 4 stars
Race 3, No.6 Redcore – 3.5 stars
Race 5, No.2 Don’t Doubt Dory – 4 stars
Race 7, No.16 – Debt’n’deficit – 3.5 stars
Quaddie: 1,2,3,4/5,7,11,16/4,5,6,15,18/12,14
Race 7:
BACK – Riddle Me That – Bet to WIN (stake 0.8% of your bank)
BACK – Star Surprise – Bet to WIN (stake 0.5% of your bank)
BACK – Debtndeficit – Bet to WIN (stake 0.4% of your bank)
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: GRAND PROMENADE
Race 2: I GOT YOU
Race 3: CORUSCATE
Race 4: BELLA NIPOTINA
Race 5: DIASONIC
Race 6: TWITCHY FRANK
Race 7: SPEND
Race 8: SO SI BON
Race 9: EF TROOP
Rosehill
BetEasy – The Wolf’s Racing Tips:
Race 2, No.7 I Am Swerving – 3.5 stars
Race 6:
1. Avilius – 3.5 stars
2. Verry Elleegant
3. Mustajeer
4. Mugatoo
5. Southern France
Best Bet: Avilius ($4.80)
Exotic: Boxed Exacta: 1,2,6,9
Race 7:
1. Funstar – BEST BET – 5 stars
2. Probabeel
3. Subpoenaed
4. Shout The Bar
5. Contrition
Best Bet Funstar ($1.75)
Best Roughie Contrition ($101)
Exotic Trifecta: 1/2/6,9,10
Race 8, No.14 Positive Peace – 3.5 stars
Quaddie: 1,9/1/4,5,6,9,14/2,3,4,5,10,14,15
Race 6:
1. Avilius
2. Verry Elleegant
3. Southern France
Race 7: Funstar
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: SAUSEDGE
Race 2: RETURN WITH HONOUR
Race 3: ZEBROWSKI
Race 4: LIFE LESS ORDINARY
Race 5: VILLAMI
Race 6: 1. VERRY ELLEEGANT, 2. Avilius, 3. Mirage Dancer, 4. Mugatoo
Race 7: 1. FUNSTAR, 2. Probabeel, 3. Asiago, Subpoenaed
Race 8: NOIRE
Race 9: CASCADIAN
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 3:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #1 Quick Thinker
Race 6:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #9 Verry Elleegant
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: High
Back – #1 Funstar
Race 8:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #14 Positive Peace; #8 Sweet Deal
Race 2: Return With Honour
Race 3: Quick Thinker
Race 4: Life Less Ordinary
Race 5: Handle The Truth – each-way
Race 6: Verry Elleegant
Race 7: Funstar
Race 8: Sweet Deal
Race 9: Cascadian
Race 2:
RETURN WITH HONOUR (5) arguably should have won the Black Opal Stakes last start, when blocked for a run late. Rates well off the back of that effort and gives the impression he’ll relish the step up in trip. No favours with the draw, but still should prove hard to beat. I AM SWERVING (7) closed off well behind Prague last start and has drawn to receive all the favours. Trending the right way and looms as a major threat. TIME IS PRECIOUS (6) proved game in defeat last start and is another trending the right way, while NOT AN OPTION (1) also holds claims.
Race 3:
QUICK THINKER (1) bumped into two very talented fillies last start (Funstar/Probabeel) and appears very well placed back against this company. Drawn to receive all the favours and a big tick with JMac going aboard. Rates clear and should prove very hard to beat. ZEBROWSKI (5) is unbeaten this time in and is bred to relish the step up in trip. This is a lot harder, but he’s trending the right way. PRIDE OF ADELAIDE (6) has spaced them at his last two starts and is another on an upward curve. DIASONIC (4) the next in line.
Race 4:
LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1) was forced to make a long sustained run last start and just peaked on his run late. Bumped into a very talented type in Master Of Wine and appears well placed back against this company. Flying of late and should prove hard to beat with Nash aboard. NIGHT’S WATCH (2) has often proved his own worst enemy, but certainly has the engine to be winning a race of this level. SCARLET DREAM (9) was very good in her stable debut for Team Hawkes last start and has to be kept safe second up, while ALIFEROUS (8) also has to be kept safe on the quick back up.
Race 5:
HANDLE THE TRUTH (12) did a very good job first up when too strong late with the big weight at Canberra. Returned a new career peak and while stepping up sharply in grade, he appears well placed down in the weights. Handles all conditions and should prove hard to beat. VILLAMI (9) went enormous first up when leading throughout in the Fireball. Back better than ever and can take that next step. KEMENTARI (1) a big watch in his return now gelded. Never easy off such an unusual break (failed at stud), but has the engine and has trialled very well. MANICURE (6) the next in line.
Race 6:
VERRY ELLEEGANT (9) is back better than ever and has certainly appreciated the earmuffs coming off. On the quick back up and steps up to 2400m, the first time since winning last year’s Australian Oaks. Rates clear and should prove very hard to beat. AVILIUS (1) has been off his game at his last two, but won this race off the same preparation last year and is more than capable. MUSTAJEER (2) is back in good order and while he steps up to WFA, he should relish the step up in trip and has to be respected, along with his stablemate MUGATOO (6).
Race 7:
FUNSTAR (1) went down narrowly first up in the Surround Stakes before turning the tables in the Phar Lap Stakes last start. This has always been her first grand final and she should be right at her peak third up. Wide draw gives McDonald options and she should prove very hard to beat. PROBABEEL (2) is 1/3 against Funstar, but was very good late last start and no reason to think she can’t turn the tables. FASCINO (4) is tracking well this time in, while SUBPOENAED (6) appears the next in line.
Race 8:
SWEET DEAL (8) missed the Coolmore off a slight set back last start, but is reportedly back on track and appears very well placed off her two very good performances this time in. Nash legs back aboard and she should prove very hard to beat. POHUTUKAWA (9) simply didn’t handle the wet track last start, her form prior was very good and expecting her to bounce right back. POSITIVE PEACE (14) is the definition of airborne and while up in grade, she appears more than capable of taking that next step. AMANGIRI (10) next best in her return.
Race 9:
CASCADIAN (3) has only won once in Australia, but is rarely far away and is more than capable in this company. No favours with the draw, but the booking of JMac is a good push and if close to his peak, he should prove hard to beat. STAR OF THE SEAS (2) won well fresh and suspect he can only improve off that performance. Flies on his home track and he looms as a major threat. I AM SUPERMAN (7) disappointed last start, but is better than that and remains under strong notice, while DESERT LORD (9) also holds claims.
Race 2:
1. Not An Option (5 stars)
6. Time Is Precious (3 stars)
3. Holyfield (3 stars)
5. Return With Honour (3 stars)
Race 3:
3. Relucent (3 stars)
6. Pride Of Adelaide (3 stars)
1. Quick Thinker (3 stars)
5. Zebrowski (3 stars)
Race 4:
6. Mount Tabora (3 stars)
5. Ilwendo (3 stars)
10. Maid Of Ore (3 stars)
12. Gemmahra (3 stars)
Race 5:
12. Handle The Truth (5 stars)
2. Tactical Advantage (3 stars)
7. Vegadaze (3 stars)
8. God Of Thunder (3 stars)
Race 6:
6. Mugatoo (5 stars)
9. Verry Elleegant (5 stars)
2. Mustajeer (2 stars)
1. Avilius (2 stars)
Race 7:
2. Probabeel (5 stars)
1. Funstar (4 stars)
5. Asiago (2 stars)
12. Love Me Quietly (2 stars)
Race 8:
14. Positive Peace (5 stars)
8. Sweet Deal (3 stars)
7. Oceanex (2 stars)
4. Dawn Dawn (2 stars)
Race 9:
15. Something Fast (3 stars)
10. Rainbow Thief (3 stars)
4. Gaulois (3 stars)
2. Star Of The Seas (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 2:
This is the 2YO race of the day, and it is definitely more low-key than the one last week. All but four (3, 11, 17, 19) rise to 1400m for the first time. 3 and 4 could end up leading from 8 and 13. HOLYFIELD might fight for the front or else take a cosy trail. Put down two solid wins in two states before being luckless this journey at Flemington a few weeks back. Drawn to see every chance here and could bounce back in a hurry. I AM SWERVING has had support at double figures in both starts to date and should see some favours in running as well. AFTERMATH draws deep after jumping from the rails draw in both runs to date. Not ruling out at all though.
Selections: 3. Holyfield (Top Tip), 7. I Am Swerving, 2. Aftermath, 6. Time Is Precious
Race 3:
3YOs here in their last lead-up to next week’s Derby. And sure, after Castelvecchio’s Guineas win last Saturday, it is tempting to call this lot the ‘B set’ but if you do that keep in mind that the quinella in this race last year (Angel of Truth/Madison County) then went out and ran 1-2 in the Derby 7 days later. Look for 9 and 6 to lead the way this year. QUICK THINKER draws ideally to sit neatly just in behind the speed and he does not have fillies like Funstar and Probabeel to worry about here. Is he crying out for 2000? I’ll know more on Saturday at 2pm. ZEBROWSKI is right on the up as he ventures to the trip for the first time.
Selections: 1. Quick Thinker (Top Tip), 5. Zebrowski, 4. Diasonic, 3. Relucent
Race 4:
10 and 6 to lead 12 and 5. I backed LIFE LESS ORDINARY (each-way) last start and felt in with a chance 300m out. Even at the 100m I was pretty comfortable the place dividend would come in but a couple ran past late. It feels a bit fraught with misplaced loyalty but I can’t get away from him. He does fall into an easier race again after being competitive in two ‘hot’ races 1st- and 2nd-up. 1 win from his last 20 starts tempers real enthusiasm but I’m here to throw a bit more of the hard-earned his way. Mares like ALIFEROUS, SCARLET DREAM and MAID OF ORE could be his main dangers.
Selections: 1. Life Less Ordinary (Value Bet), 8. Aliferous, 9. Scarlet Dream, 10. Maid Of Ore
Race 5:
VILLAMI draws wide but she can scoot over and lead as she did first-up. After a winless preparation last time around, it was good to see her lodge a stakes win and now here’s a real chance to go back-to-back. Pressure crucial of course and SPANISH DREAM and VEGADAZE could provide it. The now gelded KEMENTARI has contested 12 of his 19 starts at G1 level, and 10 of his last 11! His return adds so much interest to the race – and he has trialled very encouragingly – but the inside gate means he will need some luck. From this opposition, only BRAVE SONG has shaped up against him in the past.
Selections: 9. Villami (Top Tip), 6. Manicure, 7. Vegadaze, 1. Kementari
Race 6:
Here’s the first of our G1 features. 7 the likely leader. 5, 8, 9 next in line? My top two selections are here on a fast turnaround looking to make amends after being outfought by a couple of Haggas trained imports last Saturday. There was no disgrace in either horse going under and it’s all about how they have recovered. VERRY ELLEEGANT’s only previous quick backup was in the Wakeful/VRC Oaks of 2018. Unplaced in both but the second run was OK. MUGATOO hasn’t been asked to do it at this point. He took the ‘easier’ option last week but can hold his head high. AVILIUS clearly held at bay in the Ranvet before he won this the next week. He’s a few lengths below that mark at the moment though.
Selections: 9. Verry Elleegant (Top Tip), 6. Mugatoo, 1. Avilius, 2. Mustajeer
Race 7:
9 to set the speed. 13 crosses up? 8 handy with 1. FUNSTAR and PROBABEEL meet again and the score currently rests at 3-1 the way of the Waller filly. Out to 2000m is a new frontier for them both but they have class all over the fillies below them and they would have to really struggle with the trip to not be fighting the finish out again. Both are bred to have no problems. MISSILE MANTRA appears well poised 4th-up through the Kembla race and I wouldn’t sell SHOUT THE BAR too far short if she can find an easy lead. I might even have a small quaddie with her in it.
Selections: 1. Funstar (Top Tip), 2. Probabeel, 9. Shout The Bar, 3. Missile Mantra
Race 8:
SWEET DEAL was terrific first-up and only just beaten in the Guy Walter. She then skipped the Coolmore a fortnight ago (courtesy of a stone bruise) but could bounce back in a big way here against some familiar rivals. Rawiller back aboard and of course he created a great association with her at the back end of last prep (and first-up as well). Pressure from POSITIVE PEACE could be very important in the final result. NOIRE could need luck from the inside but she placed in this last year (INVINCIBLE GEM won it). AMANGIRI might just find a cosy run fresh and she romped in her latest trial.
Selections: 8. Sweet Deal (Best of the Day), 6. Noire, 10. Amangiri, 13. Sweet Scanda
Race 9:
9 and 8 to lead 15 and 4 I think. Doubt they really race a long but the Prelude to the big mile race is always a competitive race of course. STAR OF THE SEAS beat a lesser field first-up and leaps from 1100 to 1500m here (which looks challenging) but now that he’s back to winning ways I’m inclined to respect. Handles all conditions and loves it here. SOMETHING FAST really struggled on the wet off a long break. The market said no and so did he. I remain a fan and on a 5 or better I’m prepared to hang in there with him. CASCADIAN is going well but where does he get to from that outside barrier? And DEALMAKER is here again to do my head in. Nope, I’m sorry, he won’t get me just yet.
Selections: 2. Star Of The Seas (Top Tip), 15. Something Fast, 4. Gaulois, 3. Cascadian
Race 2:
Return With Honour (5 stars)
I Am Swerving (4 stars)
Time Is Precious (4 stars)
Race 3:
Quick Thinker (5 stars)
Zebrowski (4 stars)
Pride Of Adelaide (4 stars)
Race 4:
Life Less Ordinary (5 stars)
Night’s Watch (4 stars)
Scarlet Dream (4 stars)
Race 5:
Handle The Truth (5 stars)
Villami (4 stars)
Kementari (4 stars)
Race 6:
Verry Elleegant (5 stars)
Avilius (4 stars)
Mustajeer (4 stars)
Race 7:
Funstar (5 stars)
Probabeel (4 stars)
Fascino (4 stars)
Race 8:
Sweet Deal (5 stars)
Pohutukawa (4 stars)
Positive Peace (4 stars)
Race 9:
Cascadian (5 stars)
Star Of The Seas (4 stars)
I Am Superman (4 stars)
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 4 #1 Life Less Ordinary – LAY BET
Race 5 # 9 Villami
Race 9 #14 Dealmaker – VALUE BET