Saturday Roughie Tips –August 1, 2026
Chasing the best value Saturday roughies with genuine winning hopes this weekend? Ladbrokes have your back with our top long-shot contenders to get behind!
Welcome to the new racing season punters! It’s the horses’ birthday on Saturday, and what better way to celebrate that and the fast-approaching spring carnivals than with some value racing tips?
We managed to find Recommendation at a good price in our Bletchingly Stakes exotics last weekend, but let’s see if we can’t do better than that as we welcome the first of the lead-up spring features this weekend.
Flemington is host to a cracking Aurie’s Star Handicap Day card in Melbourne, and we’ve got the top Group 3 value picks for the meeting’s feature.
That, plus some good money on offer in Sydney at Rosehill.
Lucy Henderson, Ladbrokes’ Value Whisperer herself, rolls out her sharpest roughie bets for the key Saturday metro cards below.
What are the Best Value Racing Tips for August 1?
- Flemington Race 1 – No. 8 Shultzy
- Rosehill Race 4 – No. 9 Sphere
- Rosehill Race 5 – No. 2 Captain Fenkel
- Flemington Race 6 – No. 8 Hurry Curry
- Flemington Race 7 – No. 8 Royal Insignia
- Rosehill Race 10 – No. 7 Huon
Best Saturday Roughie Selections
Flemington Race 1 – Spice in the First
No. 8 Shultzy
SHULTZY (5) is in flying form and can absolutely run in the money in the first at HQ on Saturday.
The Pat Cannon-trained Helmet gelding may be a veteran having his 64th start but he’s still showing plenty of zest for racing and is in arguably in career best form.
He comes off a string of top three runs including a lead-up win at Sandown over the 2400m carting 60kg to a narrow but gutsy victory having come from right back the closing stages and can go on with the job now.
Should relish the huge weight drop back to 54kg (expected to carry 54.5kg), Adam McCabe knows him well and sticks with from a favourable gate.
Airborne in the midweeks and time to bring that energy to the weekend.
He’s so good at making up the ground. Watch for him late.
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8. Shultzy (5)
J: Adam Mccabe 54kg
21321T: Pat Cannon
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| Recent form sound. At the latest run was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a neck at Sandown-Hillside 0 – 66 July 22 over 2400m in soft going defeating Furtherest Point with 60kg at $3.90. The race before that came from the tail of the field 2nd of 10 at Sandown-Hillside Bm74 on July 15 over 2400m, on a wet track; 1.3 len behind Nearco Frod carrying 56kg at $8. Flying, have to include again. | |||
Rosehill Race 4 – All Rounded Outsider
No. 9 Sphere
SPHERE (4) is a super consistent Waller-trained Bivouac filly who is going from strength to strength at the right time.
The bonny young bay broke a frustrating run of minor placings to finally get that all-important maiden win on the board at her latest when putting nearly a length on Savoonga over 1250m at Newcastle on July 14 as the odds-on fancy.
She heads to a tougher race at Rosehill now and looks great value right back weight wise from 58kg to just 53kg and she’ll love that.
Proven at the distance, Tyler Schiller comes aboard, improves again second-up – don’t discount.
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9. Sphere (4)
J: Tyler Schiller 53kg
333×1T: Chris Waller
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| Second run back. First-up after four months favourite; won by 0.9 len at Newcastle 3yo+ F&M Mdn-Sw July 14 over 1250m on a rain affected track defeating Savoonga with 58kg at $1.55. Previously second-up 2nd of 8 at Warwick Farm 3yo F Mdn-Sw on January 26 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Oz Princess with 56kg at $7.50. Back in good shape and stays in the mix. | |||
Rosehill Race 5 – Salute the Value
No. 2 Captain Fenkel
CAPTAIN FENKEL (4) is paying close to $20 for the fifth at Rosehill and that looks way overs for mine for a last start winner hitting his straps at the right time.
The Kermadec gelding improved off an unplaced Randwick run last month to return to winning form in style posting a huge two length upset when carting 60kg to an emphatic BM72 win in the wet at Canterbury over 1900m on July 8.
He gives some weight away to his rivals again here even though he drops to 58kg but proved he could handle the kilos, get through all going and I don’t see the 2000m as any issue.
Back up in grade but gets the services of Tyler Schiller who’ll likely settle him off pace before charging late.
Can finish in the money and outrun his quote once again.
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2. Captain Fenkel (4)
J: Tyler Schiller 58kg
3×801T: Mitchell Beer & George Carpenter
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| At the latest run won by 2 len at Canterbury Bm72 July 8 over 1900m in the wet defeating War Ribbon carrying 60kg at $14. The race before that 11th of 14 at Randwick Midway Bm72 on June 20 over 1600m, on a slow track; 10 len behind The Mona Lisa with 57kg at $16. Last-start winner with place claims. | |||
Flemington Race 6 – Roughie to Run To
No. 8 Hurry Curry
HURRY CURRY (9) is one of the longest priced of my roughie tips this week paying 50/1 at time of publish but don’t let that scare you off this returning Ocean Park mare.
Prepared by Danny O’Brien she resumes on Saturday and, while she’ll need the run and only improve on what she does fresh when getting up in trip, I’m not ruling out a Top 4 performance to kick off her potential Cups-bound spring.
Runs for the first time since a brave third behind American Wolf over the two miles in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup and has had two Melbourne trials to bring her on.
Has placed first-up in the past when carrying plenty of weight at Moonee Valley in her last campaign kickoff for a third back in October, is proven at the track, has previous winning form over the mile and was a VRC Oaks placegetter at any old place as a three-year-old back in 2024 behind the mighty Treasurethe Moment.
Right in this weight wise thanks to Logan Bates’ claim, drawn well midfield, and can measure up in the exotics.
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8. Hurry Curry (9)
J: Logan Bates 57kg
4613xT: Danny O’brien
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| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 18 at Morphettville in the G2 Adl Cup March 9 over 3200m, 6 len behind American Wolf with 53kg at $9. Previously first up; third of 9 at Moonee Valley F&M Bm70 October 24 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Coco Jen with 61kg at $15. See this one. | |||
Flemington Race 7 – Royal Value Tip
No. 8 Royal Insignia
ROYAL INSIGNIA (5) is the best of the double-figure hopes in the Aurie’s Star Handicap field for mine with the Grahame Begg-trained gelding looking to shake his Flemington hoodoo.
The son of Written Tycoon has had eight runs at the track for just the one placing, but that did come at his latest when narrow runner-up behind Piastri here in a BM88 on July 18.
Sixth the run before at Black-Type level behind Ndola but that was a run that was better than it reads seeing him only 1.6 lengths beaten when sticking on well off an on pace run.
It’s been a long time between drinks with his last victory back in January of 2025 but that was at Group 3 level in the Manfred Stakes over Tropicus.
Hitting better form now, drops from 57.5kg to 54kg so is in it weight wise and did catch the eye last start.
Don’t think he’ll be testing them for the trophy, but he does add value to exotics.
Check out my complete 2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap Tips, Predictions & Best Bets available now!
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8. Royal Insignia (5)
J: Luke Cartwright 54kg
x7562T: Grahame Begg
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| Most recently 2nd of 14 at this track Bm88 on July 18 over 1200m, slow going long-neck behind Piastri carrying 57.5kg at $8. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 at this track in the LR Santaanalane on July 4 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Ndola carrying 54kg at $9.50. Impressed last start. Trending the right way and should take some holding out. | |||
Rosehill Race 10 – Late Roughie Selection
No. 7 Huon
HUON (9) looks a definite hope to run better than the odds in the last in Sydney suggest with Richard Litt’s last start winner at $27 at time of publish.
A consistent son of Kermadec, Rosehill hasn’t been his happiest hunting ground with just the one placing from seven starts at the track but he’s at the right distance to shrug off that hoodoo.
Resumed at Kensington on July 1 racing out of his skin over the sharp 1000m on a rain-affected track to cart 58kg to an impressive two-length winning return over Sunday Tycoon.
He’s one that usually does his best fresh and doesn’t map the best here, but the 1100m and some relief weight-wise keeps him in the mix.
Can surprise with a touch of luck.
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7. Huon (9)
J: Mollie Fitzgerald 59kg
453×1T: Richard Litt
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| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2 len at Randwick Kensington 5yo+ Bm72 July 1 over 1000m in heavy going defeating Sunday Tycoon carrying 58kg at $2.80. Previously second-up 6th of 8 at Canterbury Cg&E Bm72 on September 17 over 1100m, 3 len behind Shalaa Gold with 60kg at $13. Awkward map today but don’t dismiss. | |||
That’s a wrap for our Saturday roughie predictions for the opening features of the new season – Hendo’s Hopefuls ready to (hopefully!) deliver! Boost your Same Race Multis or go bold and lock in some double-figure chances to salute in an upset and bring on the spring!
Happy punting!
Saturday Racing Previews
Saturday Roughies – FAQs
A roughie becomes genuinely backable when its map, tempo profile, track pattern, or late‑sectional data suggests it can outperform its market price in high‑pressure Saturday metro conditions.
Hidden form often shows up in forgive runs, wide‑gate efforts, unsuitable tempos, or quiet trials that the market overlooks but punters can use to identify value.
Many roughies peak deeper into their prep, especially when fitness catches up with their preferred racing pattern, making them prime second‑up or third‑up value plays.
Fast tempos can collapse the race shape and bring backmarkers and off‑speed runners into play — often the exact profile of Saturday roughies. Ladbrokes provide speed map data on every race so you can find the runs of the race.
Strong closing sectionals, adaptability to traffic, and proven form at the track/distance are key traits that help roughies navigate big metro fields.
Wet tracks, drying tracks, or bias‑affected rails can flip the script and elevate horses whose action or pattern thrives in conditions the market hasn’t priced.
Roughies can supercharge exotics, especially when they’re mapped to run on late or have a consistent top‑five profile that boosts trifecta and quaddie payouts.
A profile roughie is a horse whose form cycle, setup, map, and conditions align perfectly for an above‑market performance — the exact type Hendo targets weekly.
Yes — senior jockey upgrades, apprentices with a claim, or riders with strong track records can dramatically lift a roughie’s winning or placing prospects.
Late firmers often reveal stable confidence or favourable conditions, and monitoring these shifts can help punters refine their roughie plays before jump. Ladbrokes have the option to view the betting Flucs on every race so you can see where the money is landing on your roughie tips.