Royal Randwick and Caulfield host the feature programs this Saturday on a stunning weekend of racing around the country. The Group 1 Memsie Stakes is the main event at ‘The Heath’, while the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes will attract punters to the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Join our experts as they outline their best bets for a Super Saturday of racing!
Caulfield Race 9
#3 Alligator Blood
Caulfield RACE 7
#7 Benedetta
Benedetta has been heavily supported in early betting. The Hellbent mare is coming off a very soft first-up victory at Flemington, and she strips fitter. Her debut campaign was near faultless, and I expect her to dominate the spring. From barrier nine, she will sit midfield with cover, and if Daniel Stackhouse presses the go button at the right time, she will blow her rivals away. Big watch!
Parisal is an owner’s dream. The Astern mare has never missed the quinella, and her first-up win at Randwick was tough and brave. She covered more ground than the early settlers, and her class got her over the line late. From barrier eleven, Jamie ‘Fast’ Kah can roll her forward, and if she finds the pole position during the race’s early stages, she will be hard to run down. A flat second-up run is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Benedetta @ $2.70
Caulfield Race 5
#3 Veight
Veight turned heads during the autumn. The Grunt colt was an impressive winner on debut, and he broke rivals’ hearts in VRC Sires’ second-up. He was game in defeat at Randwick third-up in a time-honoured Group 1, and he looks to have a big future. His recent barrier trial will have him cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and he has been well supported in future markets for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, over the odds.
Barber is a serious colt. All runs during his career have been super honest, and he has taken on the best of his age group in the majority of his outings. Three recent barrier trials will have him ready to rock ‘n’ roll fresh, and I suspect 1200m is his best distance. The Blake Shinn and James Cummings combination will attract plenty of market support, and with even luck in transit, he can make his presence felt during the concluding stages.
Suggested Bet: Veight @ $7.00
Randwick Race 8
#12 Hinged
Hinged produced an eye-catching run fresh in the Group 1 Winx Stakes. The Worthy Cause mare was no match for the winner late. However, she put the writing on the wall for a big spring. The 1600m is in her wheelhouse, and her record second-up is exceptional. From barrier eleven, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she is within striking distance as the field goes over the famous Randwick Rise, I expect her to prove too strong late. Great value!
Think It Over will start favourite after racing well without threatening first-up. The So You Think gelding strips fitter after his recent outing, and he arguably should have finished closer to the winner fresh. From barrier four, Nash Rawiller can have the veteran galloper sit in the box seat, and if the peloton over race during the early stages, he can capitalise in the shadows. Father time and the possibility of a flat second-up performance are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Hinged @ $4.60
Randwick Race 9
#12 Hope In Your Heart
Hope In Your Heart is one serious customer! The Dundeel mare resumes after a career-defining campaign, and I expect her to reach dizzy heights during the spring. Her first-up record is sensational, and 1400m is her pet distance. Two recent barrier trials will have her ready for Saturday’s assignment, and she looks over the odds. From the middle gate, she will drift back and find her hooves, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, she will loom large during the final furlong.
Olentia is building an impressive career record. The Zoustar mare has only tasted defeat once and deserves her shot at this level. The talented four-year-old has a serious turn of foot, and I suspect there is a huge engine under the bonnet. She will go back From the tricky gate and give her opponents a head start; if the leaders spend their pennies early, she will blouse them late. This is her acid test!
Suggested Bet: Hope In Your Heart @ $9.00
Randwick Race 6
#3 Tiz Invincible
Tiz Invincible was a brilliant first-up winner against the boys. The I Am Invincible filly is an exciting prospect, and she can continue on her winning ways on Saturday. The 1200m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation, and I expect her to get the run of the race from a middle draw. The Maher and Eustace polish must be respected, and James McDonald is now riding winners for fun. Hard to toss!
There has been an avalanche of money for Kimochi in early betting. The Brave Smash filly broke hearts and clocks in the Silver Shadow fresh, and she looks to have the spring at her mercy. Jason Collett has options from a middle draw, and if she can produce her customary sizzling late sectionals, I expect her to figure in the finish. It may pay dividends to follow her throughout the spring over longer trips.
Suggested Bet: Tiz Invincible @ $4.40
