The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, February 27. The focus is on the racecards at Flemington and Randwick. The highlights of the day are the G1 Australian Guineas (Race 7) at Flemington along with the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (Race 6) and G1 Surround Stakes (Race 7) at Randwick. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
These may change leading up to the race day as more tips come in.
Flemington Race 1: 1. Kallos and 5. Tycoon Humma (also consider them for a quinella)
Flemington Race 5: 2. Fabergino, saving on 10. Muntaseera (also consider them for a quinella)
Flemington Race 6: 11. Buffalo River and 7. Star of the Seas (also consider them for a quinella)
Flemington Race 7: 2. Tagaloa
Randwick Race 8: 10. Great House
Randwick Race 9: 5. Zakat
Flemington
Race 1:
TYCOON HUMMA (5) Did enough to win last start at Bendigo and was a debutant last start. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Should go well. KALLOS (1) Crept into 4th last run at Caulfield and going down in class. Should be very competitive and is a genuine threat. DECENT RAINE (4) Finished strongly when 2nd two runs back at Gawler and goes down in grade. Worth a bet. WANAROO (8) Got going late when 4th last run at Moonee Valley and was on debut last time. One of the major players.
Race 2:
SKYMAX (3) Really dug deep when winning last time at Warwick Farm and should muster plenty of early toe. Very tidy this preparation winning 2 from 4 attempts. This suits. MOSH MUSIC (2) Won narrowly two runs back at Sandown. Keep in mind. STARS OF CARRUM (5) Hit the line well when 2nd last run at Moonee Valley. Well placed and has solid claims. NELSON (1) Second up. Came on strongly to finish 5th last time at Moonee Valley. Chance for exotics punters.
Race 3:
BAM’S ON FIRE (5) Made considerable ground when 3rd three runs back at Morphettville and second up from a spell. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Hard to dismiss. THE HARROVIAN (2) First up specialist with 4 wins from 7 starts. Game effort to win last start at Eagle Farm and strong form at the distance. Flying this preparation with 5 wins from as many runs. Warrants a bet. I AM SUPERMAN (1) Back after a spell. Handy enough when winning three runs back at Rosehill but will have to carry more weight. Leading chance. SIERRA SUE (6) Won narrowly three runs back here and expected to be flashing home. Follow market leads.
Race 4:
SUBEDAR (6) Kept running on late when 2nd last time at Randwick and displays good closing speed. Should be in the finish. LAVERROD (3) Hit the line well when 3rd last start at the track and should race on the speed. Better claims. GROUNDSWELL (2) Racing fresh today after a break. Was all too good winning two runs back at Moonee Valley. Each way prospects. DEFIANT DANCER (4) Let up. Spaced the field to win two runs back here and looks well graded. Chance in this field so include in exotics.
Race 5:
FABERGINO (2) Showed promise when winning two runs back here but rising in weight. Should muster plenty of early toe. Winnable race. ALL BANTER (8) Got the upper hand late when winning last time at Caulfield and displays good tactical speed. Flawless this preparation with 3 wins from 3 starts. Winning hope. INDIAN PACIFIC (4) Landed the spoils when winning two runs back at Ascot and expecting to settle positively. Tracking very well this preparation. Worth strong consideration. MUNTASEERA (10) Resumes from a spell. Fought on gamely when winning three runs back at Caulfield. Has the ability to figure.
Race 6:
BUFFALO RIVER (11) Goes well second up with 2 wins from 4 runs. Looked good when 2nd last start at this track and displays good tactical speed. Won’t be far away. FUNSTAR (8) Proven record second up with 3 wins from 4 attempts. Snuck in a place when 2nd three runs back at Randwick and shows good early pace. Deserves consideration. BEST OF DAYS (5) Solid effort when winning last start at Caulfield. Expecting to settle positively. Contender. MYSTIC JOURNEY (6) Rattled home nicely into 2nd last start at Hobart and races well third up. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Can feature.
Race 7:
TAGALOA (2) Third up. Finished on top last start here but facing a stronger class. Key hope. ZOU DANCER (16) Won with a leg in the air last start at this venue but up in class. Tracking very well this campaign. Keep in mind. OLE KIRK (1) Really dug deep when winning three runs back at Caulfield and will be trying to topple them late. Stays under notice. AYSAR (3) Charged home into 2nd last run at this venue and should muster plenty of early toe. Minor claims.
Race 8:
ROCKETING BY (3) Really dug deep when winning last start at Randwick and going down in class. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Ultra competitive this preparation with 3 wins from as many starts. Sure to be thereabouts again. THE BOPPER (2) Did a good job when winning three runs back at Randwick and should come to hand quickly. Contender. CELESTINE (13) Good win three runs back at the track and shows good finishing speed. Races well in these conditions so do not discard. BELLA NIPOTINA (6) Second up from a break. Nice effort to run into 2nd three runs back at Moonee Valley but going up in weight. Each way.
Race 9:
SNAPDANCER (8) Winner three runs back at Randwick. Likely to race off the speed. Has the ability to figure. PAUL’S REGRET (10) Got the cash when winning two runs back here and will try to take advantage of the alley. Exotics chance. SHOUT THE BAR (1) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Was fighting out the finish when winning two runs back here and displays good tactical speed. Worth an investment. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR (2) Fought on well to win two runs back at Randwick and should jump out and bowl along. Keep it safe and include in any exotic bets.
Race 1: Kallos
Race 2: Sin To Win
Race 3: The Harrovian
Race 4: Defiant Dancer
Race 5: Fabergino
Race 6: Star of the Seas
Race 7: Tagaloa
Race 8: Clestine
Race 9: Snapdancer
Race 2: 3. Skymax and 2. Mosh Music
Race 4: 3. Laverrod, 12. Legionnaire, 4. Defiant Dancer, 2. Groundswell
Race 5: 2. Fabergino
Race 6: 7. Star of the Seas
Race 7: 2. Tagaloa
Race 9: 11. Chaillot, 2. Greysful Glamour
Race 1:
5. Tycoon Humma, 1. Kallos, 8. Wanaroo, 6. To The Moon Alice
Race 2:
2. Mosh Music, 1. Nelson, 5. Stars Of Carrum, 4. Sin to Win
Race 3:
3. Platoon, 5. Bam’s On Fire, 1. I Am Superman, 6. Sierra Sue
Race 4:
3. Laverrod, 6. Subedar, 4. Defiant Dancer, 5. Hi Stranger
Race 5:
2. Fabergino, 10. Muntaseera, 4. Indian Pacific, 3. Prezado
Race 6:
11. Buffalo River, 7. Star of the Seas, 1. Fifty Stars, 5. Best Of Days
Race 7:
2. Tagaloa, 3. Aysar, 1. Ole Kirk, 5. Dom To Shoot
Race 8:
13. Celestine, 3. Rocketing By, 6. Bella Nipotina, 10. Written Miss
Race 9:
11. Chaillot, 2. Greysful Glamour, 1. Shout The Bar, 8. Snapdancer
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
NOTE: Rail is out 2m. Was true here Feb 13 with no bias evident. Both debutants jumped out well, EXTASSY the pick of them. KALLOS wasn’t far off them in a Diamond Prelude run in slick time, the quinella there then ran well in that hot G1 feature last week. TYCOON HUMMA looked very good on debut, her last 200m of that race was complete dominance! She ran 11.88 home, .54 faster than anything else in the race and the day’s fastest final 200m. DECENT RAINE’s debut was good, forget her Prelude miss. ZANZIBAR GEM’s debut was sound. TO THE MOON ALICE and WANAROO come through a slow race at MV.
Selections: 1. Kallos (top tip), 5. Tycoon Humma, 7. Zanzibar Gem, 9. Extassy
Race 2:
No natural leader. 3, 5, 6 roll forward? NELSON battled well first up off a long break, crossing the line with STARS OF CARRUM. MOSH MUSIC was the $2.90 favourite that race but had plenty against her. SKYMAX made an early move in the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm yet showed a great will to win. He comes up in the weights today. SIN TO WIN was thrashed last time but the winner then walked in again, in a Group 3 in Adelaide. GOOD IDEA looks ready to improve third up.
Selections: 3. Skymax (top tip), 2. Mosh Music, 5. Stars Of Carrum, 1. Nelson
Race 3:
Key runners 1 & 5 are dual acceptors. I AM SUPERMAN is trialling well for the return, he beat a handy field Caulfield/ 1400m fresh last prep. THE HARROVIAN is a ripper! His will to win is phenomenal. PLATOON won well Ascot off freshened is up to these. There was little between SANSOM and MORVADA when they clashed here Cup week. BAM’S ON FIRE made a very good (and luckless) return behind Probabeel and that was off a nice jumpout, she has come back super it seems! SIERRA SUE had excuses fresh, her 2nd-up win here in Spring was outstanding!
Selections: 5. Bam’s On Fire (top tip), 6. Sierra Sue, 2. The Harrovian, 7. Morvada
Race 4:
MYSTYKO comes back to BM90 class here with a claim. GROUNDSWELL has jumped out well, he had 60kg when 2L off Ancestry fresh last prep in a fast race. LAVERROD was good here fresh and draws wide this time, his last 2nd-up run he beat Celebrity Queen. DEFIANT DANCER thrashed a handy one here then measured up well in a Standish Handicap. SUBEDAR can certainly win if he’s here and 1200m isn’t too sharp, he is a good horse. I’M TELLING YA ran by Laverrod last time and must have a case. LEGIONNAIRE is good fresh and did beat Groundswell home early last prep. He meets him 6kg better today!
Selections: 3. Laverrod (top tip), 12. Legionnaire, 4. Defiant Dancer, 2. Groundswell
Race 5:
FABERGINO just crossed the line with Bivouac in a G1/WFA Lightning Stakes. She had the measure of PREZADO prior. HEY DOC was wide when beaten 2.8L in a G1 Moir Stakes fresh last prep. INDIAN PACIFIC has been freshened, is unbeaten fresh and has Celebrity Queen form. ALL BANTER is winning and running time! HUMMA HUMMA will be flying home. MUNTASEERA is jumping out well and was closer to Swats That than Fabergino was (in Lightning) if that is any guide …?
Selections: 2. Fabergino (top tip), 10. Muntaseera, 4. Indian Pacific, 8. All Banter
Race 6:
FUNSTAR has accepted for most of the races around Australia. FIFTY STARS won this last year but was off a much better fresh run. NEUFBOSC and MAHAMEDEIS ran last and second-last fresh but only September Run had a faster last 200m than them. BUFFALO RIVER was up on the (slow) speed there fresh and has a relative weights advantage this scale. VASSILATOR gets back to Flemington, he made good ground on leader/winner BEST OF DAYS against slow tempo last time. MYSTIC JOURNEY gets to her best trip. STAR OF THE SEAS is a good 2nd-up horse. He nearly won a G1 George Main when 2nd-up last prep.
Selections: 7. Star Of The Seas (top tip), 6. Mystic Journey, 11. Buffalo River, 10. Vassilator
Race 7:
SPEED: 15, 16 went quick up front in separate races last time. 2, 8, 11 & 3 go forward. TAGALOA was outstanding winning the Hayes Stakes giving them all weight, he absorbed a hot (47.22 1st-800m) tempo yet ran home faster than anything else that last 200m! ZOU DANCER won brilliantly that same day, she absorbed a 47.59 1st-800m yet raced away. Yes, Tagaloa’s time/closing speed was much better but who’s to say she couldn’t have run home faster with better athletes around her? AYSAR needs a win but chased Tagaloa latest. DOM TO SHOOT was home hard against the race shape. CHERRY TORTONI was good also. OLE KIRK can hit back! POLAND won well fresh.
Selections: 2. Tagaloa (Best of the Day), 16. Zou Dancer, 1. Ole Kirk, 4. Cherry Tortoni
Race 8:
ROCKETING BY was not weighted to win that Inglis Sprint at Randwick but that didn’t stop him running by THE BOPPER, JAPERY and BELLA NIPOTINA running significantly quicker time then Peltzer that same day. He comes back to 1100m and draws gate 1 so there are queries. WRITTEN MISS is unbeaten and her form can be tied in here through Zoushine et al. CELESTINE has beaten La Mexicana, she beat home Bella Nipotina here at the end of her last prep and jumped out well. LORD OLYMPUS resumes, trialled well and there is strong winning form behind him.
Selections: 3. Rocketing By (top tip), 13. Celestine, 8. Lord Olympus, 6. Bella Nipotina
Race 9:
SPEED: 2 looks the leader with 1, 8 taking trails. A number of these resume so it’s tricky. SHOUT THE BAR and GREYSFUL GLAMOUR trialled together and both went well. GG then had a 1200m trial, which she won. AFFAIR TO REMEMBER and CHAILLOT both jumped out well. PAUL’S REGRET ran by SNAPDANCER last start but they were both no match for subsequent G1 winner Probabeel and the race rated highly (no shock!). STARLA ran well behind Snapdancer in Sydney, overs? YAMAZAKI a possible sharp improver here, overs? Filly LOVE SENSATION can measure up!
Selections: 11. Chaillot (value bet), 2. Greysful Glamour, 10. Paul’s Regret, 1. Shout The Bar
Race 1: 1. Kallos
Race 2: 1. Nelson
Race 7:
Best bet: Poland each-way
Box Trifecta: 1,2,3,4,8,16
TOP 5:
1. Poland
2. Cherry Tortoni
3. Tagaloa
4. Aysar
5. Zou Dancer
Race 9: 10. Paul’s Regret
Quaddie: 4,5,7,9/1,2,3,4,8,16/2,3,8,10,11/1,8,10
Unibet – Fletch, Junior & Jack:
Race 7:
Junior’s Tip: Tagaloa (3.80)
Jack’s Tip: Tagaloa (3.80)
Race 1:
5. Tycoon Humma, 2. Gummy Bear, 1. Kallos, 8. Wanaro
Race 2:
1. Nelson, 3. Skymax, 2. Mosh Music, 4. Sin to Win
Race 3:
3. Platoon, 1. I Am Superman, 7. Morvad, 6. Sierra Sue
Race 4:
2. Groundswel, 13. Leiter,3. Laverrod, 1. Mystyko
Race 5:
10. Muntaseera, 2. Fabergino, 4. Indian Pacific, 1. Hey Doc
Race 6:
11. Buffalo River, 9. Mahamedeis, 7. Star of the Seas, 1. Fifty Stars
Race 7:
2. Tagaloa, 5. Dom To Shoot, 8. Poland, 1. Ole Kirk
Race 8:
3. Rocketing By, 1. Larimer Street, 8. Lord Olympus, 13. Celestine
Race 9:
4. Affair to Remember, 2. Greysful Glamour, 11. Chaillot, 10. Paul’s Regret
Race 1:
1. Kallos, 5. Tycoon Humma, 9. Extassy, 6. To The Moon Alice
Race 2:
3. Skymax, 2. Mosh Music, 4. Sin to Win, 1. Nelson
Race 3:
1. I Am Superman 5. Bam’s On Fire (scratched), 3. Platoon, 4. Sansom
Race 4:
3. Laverrod, 10. Street Icon, 4. Defiant Dancer, 6. Subedar
Race 5:
2. Fabergino, 10. Muntaseera, 8. All Banter, 4. Indian Pacific
Race 6:
11. Buffalo Rive, 5. Best Of Days, 7. Star of the Seas, 1. Fifty Stars
Race 7:
2. Tagaloa, 5. Dom To Shoot, 16. Zou Dancer, 3. Aysar
Race 8:
6. Bella Nipotina, 3. Rocketing By, 13. Celestine, 11. Diamonds Inthe Sky
Race 9:
2. Greysful Glamour, 11. Chaillot, 8. Snapdancer, 4. Affair to Remember
Race 1:
5. Tycoon Humma, 8. Wanaroo, 1. Kallos, 4. Decent Raine
Race 2:
4. Sin to Win, 2. Mosh Music, 3. Skymax, 1. Nelson
Race 3:
3. Platoon,1. I Am Superman, 2. The Harrovian, 6. Sierra Sue
Race 4:
4. Defiant Dancer, 7. I’m Telling Ya, 3. Laverrod, 6. Subedar
Race 5:
10. Muntaseera, 2. Fabergino, 8. All Banter, 4. Indian Pacific
Race 6:
7. Star of the Seas, 11. Buffalo River, 1. Fifty Stars, 5. Best Of Days
Race 7:
2. Tagaloa, 1. Ole Kirk, 4. Cherry Tortoni, 3. Aysar
Race 8:
13. Celestine, 6. Bella Nipotina, 3. Rocketing By, 10. Written Miss
Race 9:
11. Chaillot, 2. Greysful Glamour, 3. Mamzelle Tess, 1. Shout The Bar
Race 1:
8. Wanaroo, 6. To The Moon Alice, 1. Kallos, 5. Tycoon Humma
Race 2:
3. Skymax, 2. Mosh Music, 5. Stars Of Carrum, 4. Sin to Win
Race 3:
2. The Harrovian, 3. Platoon, 6. Sierra Sue, 1. I Am Superman
Race 4:
7. I’m Telling Ya, 1. Mystyko, 6. Subedar, 12. Legionnaire
Race 5:
2. Fabergino, 10. Muntaseera, 8. All Banter, 1. Hey Doc
Race 6:
11. Buffalo River, 7. Star of the Seas, 10. Vassilator, 1. Fifty Stars
Race 7:
2. Tagaloa, 3. Aysar, 16. Zou Dancer, 5. Dom To Shoot
Race 8:
13. Celestine, 6. Bella Nipotina, 3. Rocketing By, 8. Lord Olympus
Race 9:
4. Affair to Remember, 1. Shout The Bar, 10. Paul’s Regret, 11. Chaillot
Race 1 – Kallos (4.60) – NEXT BEST
Race 2 – Nelson (8.00) – VALUE BET
Race 6: Buffalo River (2.70) (win), Vassilator (31.00, 6.00) (Win, Place 1×3)
Race 7: Tagaloa (3.80), Aysar (7.50) (win)
Race 8 – Rocketing By (4.00) – BEST BET
Randwick
Race 6: 1 – Colette (3.20), 2 – Verry Elleegant (2.60), 3 – Funstar (11.00)
Race 7: Forbidden Love (13.00, 4.00) (each way)
Race 1:
WATER DOVE (6) Displayed potential when winning two runs back at Wellington and displays good tactical speed. Should prove hard to beat. MR MAGICAL (2) Second up. Good run when placing 2nd last run at Sapphire Coast but racing in stronger company. Better hope. TANGO STEPZ (9) Having third run back from a break. Made considerable ground when 2nd last time at Gosford. Looks a good chance of finishing in the money. LEO (1) Couldn’t shake them off when 2nd last time at Scone but resumes after a break. Should just about get the run of the race. Could run into the money.
Race 2:
SHAQUERO (1) Let up. Nice effort when winning last start at Gold Coast and drawn the rails. Looks the goods. CAPTIVANT (2) Was first to greet the judge when winning two runs back here but resuming after a spell. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Respect in this company. HILAL (6) Fought on well to win last run at this course and fitter for debut run. Has to be included. O’PRESIDENT (5) Having second run back from a spell. Made a mess of them when winning last run at Canterbury and likely to race off the speed. Each way hope.
Race 3:
FOUR MOVES AHEAD (5) Let up. Did enough to win last start at this venue and was on debut last time. Good enough for this and worth a bet. SHE’S ALL CLASS (1) Was dominant when winning two runs back at Wyong and back from a freshen up. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Worth a ticket. MALLORY (3) Having second run back from a spell. Showed promise when winning last time at Rosehill but up in class. Among better hopes. NICE FOR WHAT (2) Having second run back from a break. Stormed home when 2nd two runs back at Flemington but rising in class. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Quite a few boxes are ticked and looks value at generous odds.
Race 4:
GREYWORM (1) Good show to run 2nd three runs back at this track and shows good early pace. Contender. DISCHARGED (11) Was strong on the speed before fading to finish 3rd last start at Gold Coast and displays good tactical speed. Warrants a bet. CRIADERAS (10) Did its best work late when 3rd last start at this track and always seems to find the line well. This field suits. TRUMBULL (2) Strong record when resuming. Fought on well to win two runs back at this course. Worth an each way bet in this.
Race 5:
FUNSTAR (1) Proven record when second up with 3 wins from 4 runs. Ran on strongly when 2nd three runs back at the track and won’t be far away during the run. Go close. ICEBATH (7) Was very impressive when winning three runs back at the track and second up from a spell. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Will give a big sight. TRICKY GAL (9) Having second run back from a break. Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd last run at this track. Will be looking to sit just behind the leaders. Has the ability to figure. SWEET DEAL (4) Resumes after a spell. Bold effort to win last time at Newcastle. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value.
Race 6:
VERRY ELLEEGANT (6) Got the upper hand late when winning three runs back at Caulfield and can go through the gears. Should go well. COLETTE (7) Was first to greet the judge when winning last time at this course and second up. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Respect in this company. KOLDING (1) Ran 2nd last start at this course and displays good tactical speed. Keep in mind. MASTER OF WINE (4) Folded up in the straight when 8th last time at Moonee Valley and fresh today after a break. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Marginal chance.
Race 7:
DAME GISELLE (3) Races well second up winning 3 from 3 runs. Really dug deep when winning three runs back at this track but facing a stronger grade. Key player. LA MEXICANA (9) Won narrowly last run at Caulfield and expecting to settle positively. Flying this campaign with 2 wins from 2 runs. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. AWAY GAME (2) Good run when finishing 3rd last run at this venue. Watch market moves. NEVER TALK (7) Nice effort when winning three runs back at this course and very competitive this campaign. Possesses very good finishing speed. Should be around the mark.
Race 8:
GREAT HOUSE (10) Bold effort to win last run at Rosehill and third up from a spell. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Strong win bet. SKY LAB (13) Got the upper hand late when winning last time here and third up today. Ultra competitive this preparation with 2 wins from 2 starts. One of the major players. REALM OF FLOWERS (8) Having second run back from a spell. Rocketed home into 2nd two runs back at Sandown and gets some weight relief. Multiples chance. KAAPFEVER (7) Got the prize when winning last time at the track and goes down in weight. Can’t be left out of exotics.
Race 9:
ZAKAT (5) Generally strong second up with 2 wins from 4 starts. Made considerable ground when 2nd last run at Flemington and should muster plenty of early toe. Respect in this company. SUBEDAR (4) Nice show when placing 2nd last time at this course and finishes off strongly. Fights on bravely so consider. POETIC CHARMER (1) Got the upper hand late when winning last run here. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Some place claims. LINA’S HERO (3) Ended up 3l behind the winner at Happy Valley last time on a good surface but possesses good closing speed. Worth entertaining from a place and exotics perspective.
Race 1: Water Dove
Race 2: Shaquero
Race 3: Mallory
Race 4: Criaderas
Race 5: Icebath
Race 6: Verry Elleegant
Race 7: Never Talk each-way
Race 8: Great House saving on Sky Lab
Race 9: Zakat
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Randwick copped 24mm of rain into Wednesday to have it rated Soft 6 as acceptances were taken. More could arrive overnight into Thursday but hopefully from there it can stay away and we will be no worse than Soft come the weekend. Rail back to the true position. We begin with this week’s Highway and this one looks a highly competitive 1000m dash. I’ll have LEO, a galloper that has proven himself at this track, this distance and this level. WATER DOVE bound to have a heap of fans and is clearly a winning hope. Only beaten by ART CADEAU, a galloper on his way to the Country Champs Final.
Selections: 1. Leo (top tip), 6. Water Dove, 7. Superior Witness, 2. Mr Magical
Race 2:
1 to lead 5, 2 and 3? SHAQUERO hasn’t met any of these horses before but did hold off (just!) Remarque in a recent trial and might jump and run. CAPTIVANT has won two trials leading in and was up settling 2nd in the latest so perhaps he can use this gate to be handier today? HEAD OF STATE won as expected first-up and should have more to give. SING A LOVE SONG has placed behind Remarque and Home Affairs so is no slouch but he might again have to give key rivals a head start.
Selections: 1. Shaquero (top tip), 2. Captivant, 3. Head Of State, 4. Sing A Love Song
Race 3:
Now the young fillies have their go and we should see speed from 13 crossing over. 4, 8 (if she jumps) and 5 handy. NICE FOR WHAT yet to prove she has any settling speed but giver her a break, she has drawn way out wide both times and has ended up closing in nicely down the straight on debut and to Profiteer 3 weeks ago. Perhaps she can stalk much closer from this barrier? SHE’S ALL CLASS draws deep but so she did in the Magic Millions Classic and she does appear to be appropriately named. FOUR MOVES AHEAD was dominant on debut and now takes on a bigger challenge. She might be up to it.
Selections: 2. Nice For What (top tip), 1. She’s All Class, 5. Four Moves Ahead, 3. Mallory
Race 4:
Only 1 and 11 have shown regular speed and therefore they could turn out to largely control the race. GREYWORM not beaten far at Caulfield and switching back here makes sense given his record here. 1100 to 1300m probably fine as well. DISCHARGED ventured to longer trips last year and maybe he’s waiting to get to the mile again. Map says he’s in the mix though. That said, CRIADERAS has the class to notch his first stakes win off the break. Liked his latest trial where (hurrah!) he was able to settle just a tad forward of midfield rather than right out the back. If he can do that here he will be able to pounce.
Selections: 10. Criaderas (Best of the Day), 1. Greyworm, 2. Trumbull, 11. Discharged
Race 5:
FUNSTAR accepts for the Chipping Norton as well (and also the Blamey at Flemington?) but maybe she’s the third-stringer for the stable in that. Clearly a huge winning chance if she shows up to this race. 2nd-up form is uniformly excellent and I don’t think she’s unreasonably weighted here. ICEBATH an up-and-comer and she made a positive return as well (albeit in a lesser race). She will barrack for more rain not less but she’s no straight-up mudlark. SWEET DEAL was beaten a lip in this last year (after winning the Triscay) and it is never wise to let her under your guard. EMERALDS excellent 1st-up but will be settling well back again.
Selections: 1. Funstar (top tip – SCRATCHED), 7. Icebath, 4. Sweet Deal, 6. Emeralds
Race 6:
Pace an issue in the big G1 of the day. KOLDING certain to be handy and PRINCE FAWAZ can be relied upon to stand in as a tempo horse when there is a shortfall. COLETTE was behind horses like KOLDING and VERRY ELLEEGANT in the spring equivalent but came back with a dashing victory in the Apollo. Has she improved a few lengths or is she in fact an even more superior wet tracker than VERRY ELLEEGANT?? (That would take some doing.) Track conditions can be crucial therefore. Clearly COLETTE’s four career highlights have come on Soft 7 or worse. A Soft 6 or better could keep KOLDING well and truly in the game.
Selections: 1. Kolding (top tip), 6. Verry Elleegant, 7. Colette, 2. Avilius
Race 7:
A good big field and a very enticing collection of fillies for the second G1 of the day. EVERY ROSE expected to repeat the tactics that won her the Light Fingers. 10 of these come through that race, including the fast finisher NEVER TALK who (along with the winner) really put her hand up to say she is worthy at this level. And there was nothing really that was disastrously unlucky in the race. But of course an extra furlong can change things a bit. DAME GISELLE comes though a hot trial and a high grade race to this. I like where she settles here. LA MEXICANA has combined with Jamie Kah to start favourite in all eight starts. This a bit of a deeper pool but a win should surprise nobody.
Selections: 3. Dame Giselle (value bet), 9. La Mexicana, 6. Forbidden Love, 2. Away Game
Race 8:
CALIFORNIA LONGBOW was back to midweek level leading the way last start. Maybe he’s our frontrunner here as well. 1 handy with 6 and 4. GREAT HOUSE lived up to expectations 4 weeks ago and he has been back to have a standard quiet trial since. Might need a few things to pan out from the barrier but I’m happy to stay with him. SKY LAB similarly lightly raced and in winning form. Extra trip should be fine. MOHICAN HEIGHTS was disappointing fresh but not prepared to pan him on that outing alone. SCARLET DREAM would surprise if winning but her fresh record is actually consistently good (though never at 2000m).
Selections: 10. Great House (top tip), 13. Sky Lab, 5. Mohican Heights, 3. Scarlet Dream
Race 9:
This is a great little BM88 contest to finish up on. LIBERTY SUN provides some obvious speed but LINA’S HERO was a 6L trial winner early in Feb after leading so I expect him to cross up as well. The Godolphin pair look hard to beat if they are here and all is well. ZAKAT beaten down the straight on resumption and accepts there again this Saturday. Respect if he’s returned to a track he has raced well at. SUBEDAR has been scratched from the last two Saturdays and has now had 7 weeks since an undeniably pleasing return from a long break. Won’t want it too wet? POETIC CHARMER happy on all going it seems and can stalk nicely.
Selections: 5. Zakat (top tip), 1. Poetic Charmer, 4. Subedar (SCRATCHED), 6. Lucicello
Race 2: 6. Hilal
Race 3: 5. Four Moves Ahead – BEST BET
Race 6:
Best bet:
Kolding and Funstar as long as the going is no worse than a soft 6
Verry Elleegant and Colette if it is heavy
EXOTIC: Boxed First 4: 1,5,6,7,8
TOP 5:
1. Kolding
2. Funstar
3. Verry Elleegant
4. Colette
5. Prince Fawaz
Race 7: 8. Vangelic
Race 8: 10. Great House
Unibet – Fletch, Junior & Jack:
Race 6:
Jack’s Tip: Verry Elleegant (2.60) (win)
Junior’s Tip: Verry Elleegant (2.60) (win)
Race 7:
Jack’s Tip: Away Game (8.50)
Junior’s Tip: Montefilia (11.00, 3.50) (each way)
Quaddie: 1,8/1,2,3,6,7,8,9/10/1,2,5
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 2 #1 Shaquero (2.50) – LAY BET
Race 5 #4 Sweet Deal (3.90) – BEST BET
Race 7 #1 Montefilia (11.00)
Race 8 #8 Realm Of Flowers (10.00) – VALUE BET