If you’re chasing Saturday roughies, sniffing out a few cheeky roughie bets, or just want Hendo’s best Saturday racing tips, you’re in the right spot — this week’s roughie selections are juicy, wide‑open, and primed to run big at overs.
This weekend we mark the farewell of Stradbroke Season in Brisbane with the last of the Group 1s for the winter, and we’ve found the value across the Tattersall’s Tiara card and Saturday racing markets at Eagle Farm.
There’s also plenty of overlooked contenders further south at Rosehill and Caulfield that we’ve highlighted to run in the money behind their better fancied rivals to give punters something outside of the World Cup to cheer for!
The Value Whisperer is at it again — Lucy Henderson has dug deep into the markets, and her best big‑price chances are locked in below.
What Are Today’s Saturday Roughies?
- Neotropical — Caulfield Race 1
- Gilette — Rosehill Race 3
- Konsa — Rosehill Race 4
- Fawkner Park — Eagle Farm Race 6 (Tatts Cup)
- I’m Foxing — Caulfield Race 6
- Touristic — Rosehill Race 8 (McKell Cup)
- Within The Law — Eagle Farm Race 8 (Tattersall’s Tiara)
- Brudenell — Eagle Farm Race 9 (Healy Stakes)
Each of these long‑priced runners ticks the right boxes for a Saturday roughie — map, set‑up, price, and upside — and all are live chances to outrun their quote.
Hendo’s Best Roughie Bets for Saturday:
Caulfield Race 1 – $150,000 Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap (1000m)
No. 8 Neotropical
NEOTROPICAL (6) at 25/1 at time of publish looks massively overs for mine in the opener at Caulfield for John Mcardle.
The nicely bred Captivant filly has the makings of a classy chestnut and comes in confident having broken her maiden status at her fourth start on June 12 producing a barnstorming run at Bairnsdale to put 3.25 lengths on Canny Miss on Heavy going.
She gets another rain-affected track for her first Caulfield assignment and, despite looking like she’ll be even more effective over further, there’s every chance she can capitalise and go back-to-back over the 1000m.
Toughest test to date but she looks a nice type, should find the lead and can hold on.
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8. Neotropical (6)
J: Ryan Houston 56kg
45×31T: John Mcardle
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| Third-up today. First-up rolled along in front before being edged out 3rd of 8 at Mornington Mdn-Sw on May 25 over 1000m, slow going 3 len behind Tassorting carrying 55.5kg at $2.05. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 3.5 len at Bairnsdale Mdn-Sw June 12 over 1000m on a heavy track defeating Canny Miss with 54kg at $2.50. Promising but this is another test. | |||
Rosehill Race 3 – $160,000 Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1100m)
No. 10 Gilette
GILETTE (7) resumes at Rosehill on the weekend off a 13-month break and Terry Croft’s untapped Exceedance filly looks a forgotten runner not to discount.
She’s had three starts for a win and two seconds and improved each time out over the winter last year before the year-long layoff.
Runner-up to shock 50/1 winner Tom Vegas on debut at Bathurst in the Gold Nugget on ANZAC Day 2025, she was good again in the Inglis Challenge at Scone in mid-May before getting that all-important maiden win on the board at Canterbury later that month.
Only had a nostril flare to spare on the line in a fillies’ maiden on a Heavy (9) denying Long Legs at a big price, but that filly went on to well equip herself in elite company including crossing only a length back sixth to Belle Cheval in the Group 1 Vinery Stud this autumn gone.
Punters are wary to take her after so long on the sidelines, but she’s been rock solid in her recent trials including a win at Hawkesbury over Polyglot on June 1 so I think she’s back in fine order.
Gets some weight relief from the apprentice claim of Mollie Fitzgerald, who has a good strike rate for the stable, and she should be flying under the low kilos on speed.
Could lack a bit of fitness but can hang on.
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10. Gilette (7)
J: Mollie Fitzgerald 54.5kg
221xT: Terry Croft
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| Resuming after a 13 months break. Finished off last preparation winning by nose Canterbury 2yo F Mdn May 28 2025 over 1100m in the wet defeating Long Legs carrying 58kg at $41. On debut second of 9 at Bathurst Gold Nugg April 25 2025 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Tom Vegas carrying 56kg at $2.90. One for the exotics first-up. | |||
Rosehill Race 4 – $160,000 Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap (1400m)
No. 10 Konsa
KONSA (9) is a Waller-trained son of Ocean Park who has delivered for me in past exotics and who I’m keen to stick with for this.
The Kiwi-bred gelding has his seventh start on Saturday and looks overs considering he broke into the winner’s stall for the first time over this distance at Kensington last start on June 10.
Had over a length to spare on the line carrying 57.5kg that day, comes back in weight and Kerrin McEvoy comes aboard.
Would prefer the sting out of the track but at this distance and with these kilos I think he’ll be able to make up late ground and challenge.
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10. Konsa (9)
J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56kg
3×321T: Chris Waller
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| At the latest run favourite; won by 1.2 len at Randwick Kensington Super 3yo Mdn-Sw June 10 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Agraffe Rocket with 57.5kg at $1.80. Before that 2nd of 9 at Newcastle Super3y+ Mdn-Sw on May 23 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 0.7 len behind Spiv with 59kg at $2. Form okay but prepared to risk. | |||
Eagle Farm Race 6 – Group 3 $200,000 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m)
No. 3 Fawkner Park
Just six in the Tatt’s Cup field at time of publish but FAWKNER PARK (4) at double-figures appeals.
This old warhorse has faced much stiffer competition in his time and, despite the rising eight-year-old having tailed off form wise of late, I believe he’s still up to this class.
Moved from Maher to Declan Maher and has had two unplaced runs for his latest trainer – both over the mile at Listed level.
Didn’t do much in either but 1600m is short of his preferred I think and looking back he’s got some really nice form lines from earlier.
Price is explained by the fact he’s been winless since the 2024 Rosehill Gold Cup, but he’s been around a long time at elite level and held his own including a 2nd in last year’s Doomben Cup and third in The Q22 that winter.
Proven at the 2400m so I think a return to the staying trip could see him improve out of sight so long as he’s still got a zest for racing.
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3. Fawkner Park (4)
J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg
00×69T: Declan Maher
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| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 6th of 13 at Doomben in the LR Bernborough on May 16 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind War Eternal with 61kg at $81. Last start 9th of 11 at this track in the LR W Wilson on June 13 over 1600m, on heavy track; 8 len behind War Eternal with 59kg at $16. Fitter now and is good enough on his day. | |||
Caulfield Race 6 – $150,000 MRC Membership Made of Moments Handicap (1000m)
No. 9 I’m Foxing
Really hard to ignore a filly coming in hot off a hat-trick of wins and I’m keen to give I’M FOXING (4) a go at $20 to make it four on the trot.
Alexander Rae’s daughter of I Am Immortal has been rising through the grades and was last seen at the Heath track narrowly saluting in a BM64 against her own age lumping 59kg to victory.
Keeps answering when called for and has been left alone in the markets here despite the good draw and her notable weight drop.
Genine 1000m specialist yet to be beaten at the distance, gets conditions to suit proven on Soft going and has the ability along with the fitness to stick on pace and hold them off.
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9. I’m Foxing (4)
J: Luke Cartwright 56kg
3111T: Alexander Rae
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| On a three run winning streak. Returns from a 38-day let-up. At the latest run won by a nose at Caulfield Heath 3yo Bm64 May 20 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Amping Lass carrying 59kg at $14. Before that won by 0.8 len at Pakenham 0 – 62 April 9 over 1000m in soft going defeating Doc’s Nipper with 57.5kg at $3. Tougher again but can’t discount entirely. | |||
Rosehill Race 8 – Listed $200,000 WJ McKell Cup (2000m)
No. 5 Touristic
Peter Snowden saddles-up TOURISTIC (2) in the WJ McKell Cup field and, while there’s rivals going far better on the form guide, I sniff a return to form from this seven-year-old son of Frankel.
Having his 50th start on the weekend, his form at Rosehill has been solid (15:2-3-1) and the 2000m is right within his wheelhouse.
Hasn’t been an age between wins either as he saluted over this distance in the Listed Canberra Cup back in March and did catch the eye at a huge 40/1 starting price to run third to Asterix in the Gosford Gold Cup in May.
Last start 10th six lengths off Portland in the Lord Mayor’s Cup can be forgiven.
While he’s been effective in the wet before, I think he’ll actually enjoy things a bit firmer this time round, Andrew Adkins sticks with and faces a small field.
Can surprise.
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5. Touristic (2)
J: Andrew Adkins 55kg
15030T: Peter Snowden
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| Last start 10th of 18 at this track in the LR Mayors Cup on May 30 over 2000m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Portland with 54.5kg at $14. The race before that 3rd of 13 at Gosford in the LR Gosfordcup on May 9 over 2100m, 1.5 len behind Asterix carrying 54.5kg at $31. Chances enhanced on a heavy surface. | |||
Eagle Farm Race 8 – Group 1 $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m)
No. 17 Within The Law
I’m giving WITHIN THE LAW (10) a real look at a price in this year’s Tiara.
She’s the lone filly taking on the older mares, and while that might scare a few off, it didn’t stop Startantes from knocking them over in 2022.
This Bjorn Baker‑trained daughter of Lucky Vega has been building nicely at Eagle Farm, stringing together a pair of Group 3 placings, the latest behind Skyhook in the Gunsynd when she started favourite but just couldn’t quicken late over the mile.
I’m happy to forgive that run.
The drop back to 1400m looks spot‑on, the blinkers go on to spark her up, and she’s already shown she handles this track.
If she gets the right cart into it, she’s more than capable of giving the older girls a fright at overs making her a great selection for the Same Race Multi selections on the Tiara.
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17. Within The Law (10)
J: Tommy Berry 55.5kg
x5x32T: Bjorn Baker
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| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 18 at this track in the G3 Fred Best 3yo on May 30 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Regal Award with 55kg at $13. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 13 at this track in the G3 Gunsynd on June 13 over 1600m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Skyhook with 55kg at $2.45. Rates highly. Progressing nicely this prep and can go on with it. | |||
Eagle Farm Race 9 – Group 3 $200,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m)
No. 5 Brudenell
A line-up featuring some pretty smart sprinters in the last on Tatt’s Tiara Day but one who has been building and might have been overlooked is BRUDENELL (6) for Kris Lees.
Rock hard-fit fourth-up from a midfield gate with options for hoop Dylan Gibbons, this Russian Revolution six-year-old has really found his stride of late.
Two back he was a shock runner-up beaten a pimple at 60/1 behind Bev’s Nine in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m), which he proved was no fluke up in weight at Randwick on June 6 to finish a length third in another Black-Type over the same distance.
I love him up to the six furlongs now, which he’s been very good over in the past (15:4-2-2), and he’ll handle any conditions ground-wise so no need to be wary of the weather.
He consistently outruns his price including at Newcastle when third under a length off the warhorse Coal Crusher at blowout odds in the million-dollar The Hunter, and I expect him to do it again here.
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5. Brudenell (6)
J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg
9×923T: Kris Lees
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| Form hard to fault. Last start ran on from midfield; 3rd of 11 at Randwick in the LR Bob Charley Ao on June 6 over 1100m, slow going 1.2 len behind Wanaruah carrying 58kg at $10. The run before that 2nd of 16 at Scone in the LR Ortensia on May 16 over 1100m, nose behind Bev’s Nine with 56.5kg at $71. Honest sprinter who can measure up again. | |||
That’s Hendo’s best Saturday roughies, roughie bets, and value plays for this weekend’s racing. Plenty at overs, plenty with upside, and plenty for punters chasing a cheeky Saturday fill‑up.
Happy punting!
How to Play Roughies
When you’re playing roughie bets, you’re not chasing miracles — you’re looking for the runners the market’s snoozing on. The best roughie tips come from spotting little edges: a horse finally back to its right trip, a gear tweak that sharpens it up, a sneaky good run the public ignored, or a map that suddenly looks perfect. Find those value setups where everything quietly lines up, and that’s when a genuine Saturday roughie can jump out of the ground at overs.
Here’s what I look for when hunting Saturday roughies:
- Map advantages — a horse landing in the perfect spot can turn a $26 chance into a live threat.
- Gear changes — blinkers on, tongue tie on, visors off… tiny tweaks can spark big improvement.
- Right trip, right day — a drop back in distance or a return to a preferred journey can flip a horse’s form on its head.
- Sneaky good last runs — wide runs, bad maps, heavy tracks… forgive runs are gold mines for roughies.
- Track & conditions — some horses grow a leg on Soft 6, others only fire on top of the ground.
- Market drift doesn’t equal no chance — sometimes the best value comes when the public jumps off for no real reason.
- Stable intent — placement tells a story; when a trainer throws a horse into a tougher race, it’s rarely by accident.
Find a runner ticking two or three of those boxes, and you’ve got yourself a genuine Saturday roughie worth a cheeky play at overs.