Another cracking Saturday of racing has almost arrived, and although there’s a momentary lull in terms of quality with only one Group 1 offering, that hasn’t stopped our Ladbrokes form analysts from providing their best plays.
From the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill to Jewel Day on the Gold Coast, Craig Sheppard and Ryan Cook give you an around the grounds look at a few of their favourite bets below!
Craig Sheppard
Saturday’s Best Bet – Eagle Farm Race 8 No. 1 Prince Levi
Prince Levi looks hard to beat in this small field of three-year-olds.
The William Kropp-trained gelding returned this preparation in dominant fashion with a three-length maiden win over 1400m at Gatton before coming to town two starts ago where he powered to the line from well back to finish a half-length second.
Last start the son of Casino Prince charged home in the fastest final 600m and 200m splits of the race to impressively win over 1650m at Doomben.
There looks to be more to come from the Toowoomba galloper and I’m keen to see what he can do on the bigger Eagle Farm circuit.
Lay of the Day – Ascot Race 1 No. 2 Schmoov Moova
We’ve had some success with our lays of the day targeting Western Australian races and I’m going back to the well and potting the $1.65 favourite in the opening event at Ascot.
In fact, I potted this guy two starts back in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy successfully.
He’s a nice type but he meets Kay Tee Why who I believe is going places and has more upside.
Kay Tee Why was devastating coming from the back last start to win easily over 1000m here.
Best Roughie – Eagle Farm Race 2 No. 9 Sunlight Majesty
While I don’t have Sunlight Majesty on top, I do think he is well over the odds at $19 and is certainly worth a nibble.
The Peter & Will Hulbert-trained gelding looked a class above when letting down powerfully to easily win his maiden first-up at the Sunshine Coast.
Mark Du Plessis sticks and the rise in distance suits.
Coolmore Classic Best Bet – No. 4 Lady Shenandoah
Lady Shenandoah doesn’t have history on her side with the last three-year-old filly to win the Coolmore Classic being Typhoon Tracy 16 years ago.
However, Chris Waller’s talented daughter of Snitzel could be one for the history books based on what we’ve seen in her young career.
She’s come back this preparation in fine style with wins in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes and the G1 Surround Stakes.
She was pressured by Lady Of Camelot in the Surround Stakes but found plenty to salute, now she’ll strip fitter third-up and the rise in distance suits.
The fact that James McDonald is getting down to 54.5kg to ride her says everything about her chances in this race.
Omen of the Day – Gold Coast Race 10 No. 2 Piastri
With the Australian Grand Prix on this Sunday and Aussie driver Oscar Piastri competing, Piastri in the final race at the Gold Coast is a standout for omen bet of the day.
SRM – Gold Coast Race 1
Wowee what a tough way to open the Gold Coast meeting with a race where it’s $8 the field (at time of publish). While it’s tough to find the winner, it makes a perfect target for a Same Race Multi.
- Top 4 – No. 2 Master Copy
- Top 4 – No. 3 My Pins
- Top 4 – No. 12 Jovita
Ryan Cook
Saturday’s Best Bet – Caulfield Race 2 No. 2 Brazen Lady
There are a few key chances in this race, I will admit.
But I think Brazen Lady is ready to run a huge race in just her third start for Dom Sutton.
There were excuses on offer when we last saw her at Flemington in late January where she was held up badly on her way to finishing outside the placings.
That said, she was only two lengths off the talented I Am Me, while she typically does some of her best racing fresh.
Lay of the Day – Caulfield Race 4 No. 11 Documentary
Trainer Nick Ryan appears to have a serious talent on his hands in the form of this unbeaten gelding.
But I do have question marks on him out to a bigger track after winning his two starts at The Valley earlier in the year.
Tough to knock his recent jump out, but there are a few others who can trouble him here.
Best Roughie – Caulfield Race 8 No. 10 Rohesia
This daughter of Group 3 winner Hanseatic has gone up double figures ahead of her return to the track.
She debuted in fine style in the Inglis Banner on Champions Day last year, showing a real kick to run third after looking a little one-paced approaching the final furlong.
There’s every chance she’s in need of the run, but her recent trials suggest she’s at least a place hope.
Coolmore Classic Best Bet – No. 4 Lady Shenandoah
I tend to agree with Shep here, J-Mac dropping down to 54.5kg to take the ride tells you all you need to know about this filly.
I’m fascinated to see where the pair wind up from the wide gate, but off two brilliant runs in the Light Fingers and the Surround Stakes, I can’t back against her.
Omen of the Day – Morphettville Race 2 No. 2 Grid Girl
Craig’s set me up beautifully here for some more F1 chat.
Grid Girl is fourth-up now for Team Hayes and sure to be racing with confidence following a barnstorming two-length win at Ballarat three weeks ago.
She had a bit left to give through the line that day, which explains the short price on offer here out over further.
SRM – Caulfield Race 9
- Top 3 – Bossy Nic
- Top 4 – Regal Zeus
- Top 4 – Quickster