Super Saturday is here with a bang! With a smorgasbord of Group 1 racing front and centre at both Flemington and Royal Randwick, this is one weekend punters cannot afford to miss! At headquarters, our best middle-distance warriors battle it out in the Turnbull Stakes. At the same time, in Sydney town, the time-honoured Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan will answer several questions as we edge towards the two cups and a plate.
Flemington Race 7
#6 Point King
Point King is racing well at present. The Zoffany gelding is chasing a hatrick of victories and meets a similar field. His gutsy last-start heroics raised eyebrows, and he booked a date with the first Tuesday in November. His record at the distance must be respected, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. Hard to toss.
Post Impressionist was disappointing second-up. The Teofilo gelding never went a yard on the heavy track, and I suspect it will pay dividends to forget he went around. The talented six-year-old strips fitter after his latest outing, and I am confident he is ready to produce an improved performance on Saturday. Too classy to dismiss.
Suggested Bet: Point King @ $6.00
Flemington Race 8
#4 Via Sistina
Via Sistina is coming off a forgive run in the Group 1 Makybediva Stakes behind Mr Brightside. The Fastnet Rock mare didn’t appreciate the heavy conditions, and she never looked likely to trouble the judge throughout. She finds her pet distance on Saturday, and I suspect the firmer surface will play into her favour. She traditionally performs well third-up from a spell, and if she can produce her best performance, her rivals could be competing for the minor end of the prize. She is world-class, and a victory here could catapult her to outright Cox Plate favourite. Hard to toss!
Atishu is ready to peak. Her first-up performance got the tick of approval, and her latest effort was okay without threatening in a hot form race. The Savabeel mare has tasted Group 1 success at the track, and her record at the distance speaks volumes. The key appointment of Mark Zahra will attract market support, and I suspect her quote will diminish further if the predicated rain lobs before the barriers open. Super honest!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $4.50
#1 Autumn Glow
Autumn Glow has one hoof on the till. The undefeated filly oozes class, and her versatility is well beyond her age and experience. She meets a similar field, and the step out to a mile looks ideal at this stage of her preparation. James McDonald has a winning association with the Autumn Sun filly, and if she produces her customary turn of foot late, Group 1 glory awaits. She is a star!
Snow In May can win if the favourite has an off day. Her form reads extremely well for this event, and the step out in trip is advantageous. The firmer track plays into her favour, and she has been well supported since markets opened. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Glow @ $1.60
Randwick Race 7
#1 Giga Kick
Giga Kick looks poised to strike second-up from a spell. His fresh performance was good after a long lay-off, and an impressive trial since should have him cherry ripe for Saturday’s assignment. The Everest winner will be handy in the run from the middle gate, and if he is sound and back to his best, I expect him to prove too strong late. Take on trust!
Bella Nipotina is a marvel. The Pride Of Dubai mare doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and the form around her is elite. The seven-year-old has already earnt her slot for the world’s richest race on turf, and I suspect this will be the perfect tune up before she climbs the mountain and chases racing immortality. She will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Giga Kick @ $2.70
Randwick Race 8
#10 Zardozi
Zardozi looks well suited under the handicap conditions. The enigmatic four-year-old has been good without winning this preparation, and she finds her right distance range on Saturday. The VRC Oaks winner will appreciate the current track conditions, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the mighty Godolphin camp. She offers great each way value.
Future History is ready to explode. Both performances this campaign have been rock-solid in strong lead-up races, and the step out in trip puts him into all winning conversations. The Showcasing gelding won’t know himself with a luxurious 51.5kg on his back, and his camp are training winners for fun at present. With a perfect inside draw, and even luck in-transit, I expect him to give a good sight.
Suggested Bet: Zardozi @ $12.00
Randwick Race 9
#13 Chrysaor
Chrysaor was a brilliant last-start winner at Flemington. The Better Than Ready gelding traditionally performs well second-up from a spell, and he deserves his shot at this level. He has a stack of residual fitness from a solid Brisbane winter campaign, and the 51.5kg could prove the winning difference. The Chris Waller trained four-year-old has plenty of upside, and the appointment of Craig Williams should give his supporters plenty of confidence. Acid test!
Berkshire Shadow is over the odds. The Dark Angel gelding was luckless fresh at Rosehill, and he covered more ground than the early settlers second-up at Newcastle. The 1600m is in his wheelhouse, and the 53kg makes him a serious betting prospect. The Ciaron Maher stable have an opinion on the unpredictable six-year-old, and he has been specked at a price since acceptances. He is racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Chrysaor @ $15.00
