Royal Randwick and Flemington host the feature programs this Saturday. The Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes is the main event in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, while the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes will attract Melbourne locals to headquarters. Join our experts as they outline their best bets on a Super Saturday of racing!
Randwick Race 6
#1 Tiz Invincible
Randwick RACE 7
#8 Pericles
Pericles is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The Street Boss gelding has been ultra-impressive this preparation, recording two back-to-back wins, and I suspect he is in for a career-defining preparation. The mile is advantageous, and he deserves his shot against our best-performed weight-for-age gallopers. The car park draw is the biggest deterrent.
Fangirl stepped out of Anamoe’s shadow and claimed a well-deserved Group 1 victory in the Winx Stakes first-up. The five-year-old Sebring mare has been a model of consistency, and she usually excels second-up over the mile. The firm track plays in her favour, and if she gets a clear crack at the field late, she can fight out the finish.
Suggested Bet: Pericles @ $7.50
Randwick Race 8
#5 In Secret
In Secret was enormous first-up over an unsuitable distance. The I Am Invincible mare strips fitter after her recent outing, and she finds her pet distance. Her second-up record is near perfect, and she looks the class runner of the field. From barrier four, she will sit in the box seat, and if the talented commodity sees daylight before the famous Randwick rise, the fat lady could be singing a long way from home. She has the world at her feet!
Buenos Noches showed a devastating turn of foot to destroy his rivals first-up. The Supido entire has plenty of upside and natural improvement to come, and he deserves his shot at this level. His record at the track and distance must be respected, and he has been well-supported since markets opened. His second-up record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: In Secret @ $3.00
Flemington Race 7
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside is getting better with each preparation. He was an arrogant winner fresh in the Group 2 P B Lawrence, while his second-up win in the Group 1 Memsie was breathtaking and brilliant. From barrier two, he will stalk the likely leader, Alligator Blood, and if the gaps appear as they run for the judge, he will prove too strong over the mile. His record at the journey is exceptional, and I expect him to be nearing a peak performance for the spell on Saturday. If there is a chinch in his armour, it is the Flemington track itself. His record at headquarters is slightly below par for his lofty standards.
Alligator Blood is the likely danger to the favourite. His second-up record is sensational, and he was brave in a hot-form race fresh. He only got nabbed in the shadows by the late I’m Thunderstruck in the 2022 edition, and if he can pinch some cheap sectionals in transit, he can be the 2023 winner.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $1.85
Flemington Race 8
#1 Amelia's Jewel
Amelia’s Jewel comes to Melbourne with an air of expectation. The WA boom mare is having her first crack at Victorian racing, and the punters haven’t missed her in the market! The talented four-year-old is building an impressive career record and should be undefeated. Her recent barrier trials turned heads, and I expect her to be cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt. From barrier fifteen, she will sit, drift back and watch the race unfold, and if Damian Lane presses the ‘go’ button at the right time, she will blouse her rivals late.
Caste resumes after an undefeated autumn preparation. The Sir Prancealot mare deserves her shot at this level, and a string of recent jumpouts indicate a forward showing on Saturday. Her fresh record is exceptional, and the 1400m is in her wheelhouse. From barrier eleven, she will sit midfield with cover, and if she is presented with her run before the clock tower, she can figure in the finish.
Suggested Bet: Amelia’s Jewel @ $1.70
Flemington Race 9
#8 Benedetta
Benedetta is flying! She was an arrogant winner fresh at the track over 1100m, and her second-up victory at Caulfield over 1200m was breathtaking. She strips fitter after her recent outings, and I expect a peak performance for the preparation on Saturday. From barrier eight, she will camp on the leader’s back, and if Daniel Stackhouse presents her to the middle of the track at the 300m, she will put the race to bed in a matter of strides. A victory here could take her to the base of Mount Everest.
It’sourtime is too consistent to pot. The Time For War gelding has only missed the quinella once from seven attempts at the track and distance, and he looks to have the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. His best form reads exceptionally well for this event and looks well-suited in this class. He can figure in the finish if he is ridden cold and saved for one long swooping run. Over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Benedetta @ $2.25
