Group 1 racing continues this Saturday with the All-Star Mile and the Newmarket Handicap headlining the Melbourne Saturday race card at Flemington, and the Randwick Guineas taking place at Sydney’s Royal Randwick.
Three of our Ladbrokes form analysts have run the rule over all the key meetings across the country in the hope of finding a few winners.
See below for Saturday’s Best Bets & Racing Tips for the majors!
Rebecca Hill
- Saturday’s Best Bet – Randwick Race 7 No. 1 Broadsiding
Broadsiding returned to the races in top order a fortnight ago, taking out the Hobartville in fine style. He has continued to rise to the occasion and his effort to finish third in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate really stamped him as one of the most exciting gallopers in the country. He’s unbeaten in two starts over the Randwick mile, he gets in beautifully under the set weight conditions and James McDonald stays aboard in the Randwick Guineas 2025.
- Lay Of The Day – Flemington Race 9 No. 5 Joliestar
Whilst she’s not super short in the betting, Joliestar is the current favourite for the Newmarket Handicap 2025. A high-class mare and she has won over the 1200m on three occasions, but those wins have all been when she’s fresh. I feel she’ll be looking for further now and I’m happy to go against her here.
- Best Roughie – Flemington Race 6 No. 5 Post Impressionist
Post Impressionist returns to the races and his performance in a recent trial suggests he’s ready to fire. The former European galloper was transferred to the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable during the winter and after he failed to figure in two runs in the Spring was subsequently spelled. He didn’t beat much in the 1550m Cranbourne trial, but he rounded them up with ease and the team look to have him in top order. He does race well fresh and the 2000m kick off looks ideal.
- Newmarket Best Bet – No. 7 Growing Empire
I’ve been with Growing Empire from day one and I’m more than happy to stick with him. He looked to have the Black Caviar Lighting within his grasp 200m from home but seemed to get lost when he hit the front. The Zoustar colt still has to iron out a few kinks but there’s no doubting his immense talent. Mark Zahra knows him well and with the rise to 1200m and the blinkers coming off, he’ll be strong to the line.
SRM – Randwick Race 8
- Top 3 – Switzerland
- Top 4 – Sunshine In Paris
- Top 4 – Ceowulf
Craig Sheppard
- Saturday’s Best Bet – Randwick Race 7 No. 1 Broadsiding
I couldn’t agree more with what Bec Hill said about Broadsiding and I suspect the two of us will be counting our cash after this race. It’s hard to see Broadsiding being beaten in the Randwick Guineas following his impressive first-up win in the Hobartville Stakes. The 3x G1 winner is undefeated in two starts over this course and distance. J Mac will give him every chance from the low draw, and he gets in beautifully under the set weight conditions of the race.
- Lay of the Day – Bunbury Race 5 No. 1 Love Talking
Unlike ‘Big Dog’ Bec, I’m not going to pussy foot around with my lay of the day. I’m happy to take Loves Talking ($2.30 at time of publish) on in race 5 at Bunbury. She won in good fashion when debuting over 1100m at Ascot last start. While she got the favours there from the kind draw, she now faces the outside barrier. That’s never a likeable scenario for a two-year-old. Also, others were taking ground off her late so she may be suspect in the closing stages stepping out to six furlongs.
- Best Roughie – Flemington Race 9 No. 3 Arkansaw Kid
This year’s Newmarket Handicap is a throwback to the past where any of the entrants could claim the prize without surprising. I think Arkansaw Kid, who is currently around the $20 mark offers tremendous value. He resumes here on the back of two jump outs with the most recent producing a very pleasing piece of work to win. He races well fresh with two wins from five resumptions including last preparation in the Regal Roller Stakes. The Flemington straight poses no fears given he won the Bobbie Lewis over this course and distance. He should give his backers a tremendous sight at a huge price.
- Newmarket Best Bet
See Best Roughie.
- Omen of the Day – Flemington Race 8 No. 1 Treasurethe Moment
With people in South East Queensland, including myself, currently waiting for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to cross the coast and not knowing what to expect, it’s important to always treasure the moments as you never know what’s ahead.
SRM – Flemington Race 4
- Top 3 – No. 10 Is It Me
- Top 4 – No. 1 Ayrton
- Top 4 – No. 6 Fancify
Ryan Cook
- Saturday’s Best Bet – Flemington Race 8 No. 1 Treasurethe Moment
With Craig and Bec covering Randwick, I’ll shift the focus to Flemington where Treasurethe Moment lines up at short odds in the Kewney Stakes 2025. Her first-up win was breathtaking, largely thanks to Damian Lane, who settled handy to the speed before pushing the button upon straightening. With some weight off now, the pair just need luck from out wide to go on with it.
- Lay of the Day – Flemington Race 4 No. 10 Is It Me
His last two wins at BM84 level has been special, but this is still a big rise in grade for a horse that has failed to come close to running a place in a couple of Stakes races earlier in his career.
- Best Roughie – Randwick Race 2 No. 7 Catch The Glory
A lightly raced daughter of Zousain, this smart filly has been super impressive since resuming a winner at Warwick Farm in late January. She went around at similar odds last week in a Midway at Randwick where she picked up nicely off a wide run to win narrowly on the line. This is tougher again, but the decision to race on a quick backup suggests the stable think she’s up to it.
- Newmarket Best Bet – No. 7 Growing Empire
I tend to agree with Bec here. I’ve had a huge opinion of this colt for the last 12 months, and I think the blinkers coming off is key to his chances.
- Omen of the Day – Gloucester Park Race 6 No. 4 Cyclone Jordy
As Shep said, we’re bracing for Cyclone Alfred this weekend in South East Queensland, and while we’re certainly not here to make light of such a serious situation, Cyclone Jordy looks incredibly hard to beat in Race 6 at Gloucester Park on Saturday night.
SRM – Flemington Race 10
- Top 3 – Miraval Rose
- Top 4 – Jennilala
- Top 4 – Wrote To Arataki