With spring fast approaching, and our stars returning to the track, join our experts as they outline their best bets for a super Saturday of racing!
Randwick Race 8
#2 Zaaki
Zaaki can resume a winner after a stunning winter preparation. The forever young campaigner is showing no signs of slowing down, and he finds his pet distance and conditions fresh. Jamie ‘Fast’ Kah takes the ride, and their winning record together is exceptional. From barrier eight, the nine-year-old can roll forward and control the tempo, and if he is left to his own devices on top of the speed, he will look the winner as the field enter the final furlong.
The new kid on the block King Colorado, can threaten after producing a sensational debut preparation. The J J Atkins winner has plenty of natural improvement to come, and he looks to have the spring at his mercy. The talented Kingman colt has been smashed in betting, and I suspect the money will continue until the barriers open. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Zaaki @ $4.40
Randwick RACE 7
#1 Zougotcha
Zougotcha should prove too classy in her first-up assignment. The Zoustar mare has trialled extremely well leading into this event, and her best form reads incredibly well. From barrier eleven, the talented four-year-old can sit midfield with cover, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to prove too strong late. Her distance at the record is the primary concern.
Parisal has plenty of upside. The Astern mare resumes after a sensational autumn campaign, and she looks ominous stepping up in grade. She possesses a huge turn of foot, and I suspect there is a huge engine under the hood. The 53kg brings her into all winning conversations, and she has been well-supported since markets opened. This is her acid test!
Suggested Bet: Zougotcha @ $4.00
Randwick Race 9
#12 Summer Loving
Summer Loving can run well at cricket-score odds. The Exceed And Excel filly has been knocking on the door her whole career, and she caught the eyes of punters first-up over 1100m. The step out in distance is ideal, and the Gai Waterhouse polish must be respected. I expect her to figure in the finish if she can find some cover from the horror barrier draw. The sharp class rise and her winning record are among the primary concerns.
The classy and enigmatic Platinum Jubilee will start favourite. The Zoustar filly was competitive in some serious races during the autumn, and it may pay to forgive her performance in the Golden Slipper. Her barrier trials leading into this event have been mouthwatering, and she has been heavily supported in early betting. She can gobble up her rivals late if she is within striking distance at the furlong.
Suggested Bet: Summer Loving @ $61.00
Caulfield Race 9
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside resumes after producing a breathtaking autumn preparation. He put his rivals to the sword in the All-Star Mile, and his victory in the Doncaster was a win for the ages! The Bullbars gelding won this event last year, and a recent jumpout indicates he will be prominent in this year’s edition. Too classy to dismiss.
Attrition has been heavily supported since markets opened. The Churchill gelding turned heads during the autumn, and his run in the Australian Guineas is still fresh in the memory bank. From barrier twelve, he will drift back and let the race unfold, and if the peloton spends their pennies too early, he can capitalise late. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $2.00
Caulfield Race 7
#1 Ulanova
Ulanova makes her Australian debut for the Freedman camp on Saturday. The Santos filly has produced a number of impressive jumpouts, and her best New Zealand form would win this event under hands and heels. From barrier three, the talented three-year-old will roll forward and take luck out of the equation, and if she is fully wound up, she may prove hard to run down.
Charm Stone will have supporters after putting the runs on the board during the early stages of her career. Her recent barrier trial was scintillating, and I suspect she has some serious spring targets ahead of her. If she can cross the field from the carpark draw and stack the field up before they run for the judge, she will look the winner at the furlong. The early speed battle is a concern.
Suggested Bet: Ulanova @ $9.00
Caulfield Race 6
#3 It'sourtime
It’sourtime is ultra-consistent. The Time For War gelding swooped over the top of his rivals late in the Aurie’s Star at Flemington, and he can win again on Saturday, meeting similar opposition. The genuine sprinter should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, and he ticks all the boxes for favourite punters. His winning record at Caulfield is the biggest deterrent.
Thunder Beauty is the intriguing runner of the field. The Night Of Thunder mare is making her Australian debut for the Maher and Eustace camp, and her international form is mouthwatering. Her recent barrier trial will have her cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and she should get the run of the race from barrier one. The 54kg is luxurious, and there has been a flood of money for the talented six-year-old in early betting—the 1200m may be too sharp first-up.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $3.90
