Saturday Roughie Tips –August 29, 2026
Chasing Saturday’s best roughie tips as the Group 1s in Melbourne kick off? Ladbrokes have your back with our expert value predictions across the nation.
Last weekend the spring majors got underway in Sydney and now the attention turns to Caulfield with a star-studded Memsie Stakes field featuring a host of resuming weight-for-age champions.
We’re looking past the favourites in betting on the Group races in both Melbourne and at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday and have the double-figure contenders you need to consider for your exotic racing selections.
From the value in the Memsie to the three-year-olds forgotten in the markets in the support acts, get ready for some serious spring form lines to emerge.
Read on as Ladbrokes Value Whisperer, Lucy Henderson, shares her best roughie selections and tips for Saturday!
What are the Best Value Racing Tips for August 29?
- Caulfield Race 5 – No. 2 Salty Pearl
- Caulfield Race 6 – No. 5 Harry’s Yacht
- Rosehill Race 7 – No. 1 Diameter
- Caulfield Race 7 – No. 3 Rich On Bubbles
- Rosehill Race 8 – No. 3 Music Time
- Caulfield Race 8 – No. 1 Mr Brightside
Caulfield Race 5 – Pearl of a Roughie
No. 2 Salty Pearl
SALTY PEARL (8) resumes for Ciaron Maher in the Courtza Stakes to kick off Group racing on Memsie Stakes Day, and this talented grey has been well overlooked for her return in my opinion.
The now four-year-old daughter of Tagaloa is yet to win fresh, but she’s a three-time placegetter from her four previous first-up assignments and I feel another Top 3 finish isn’t out of the question.
She’s got a solid Caulfield strike rate (6:2-1-1), the 1200m to get things underway looks spot on and she’s got the class element over a few of these as a proven Group 2 winner.
Her form from the autumn was excellent including a Group 2 second here behind Moody & Coleman’s star filly Sheza Alibi whose run for second to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes bodes well for this mare now.
Claimed the VOBIS Platinum Guineas over the mile here by a runaway margin in March before her devastatingly close third in the Group 1 Vinery over 2000m when sent to Sydney in a run full of merit that had her under a half-length beaten.
Runs for the first time since ANZAC Day when fifth in the Australasian Oaks and caught the eye in a recent Cranbourne jump out suggesting she’s come back in good order.
Will settle back but watch for her late.
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2. Salty Pearl (8)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
3135xT: Ciaron Maher
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| Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign fifth of 16 at Morphettville in the G1 A’asian Oaks April 25 over 2000m, 4 len behind Panova carrying 56kg at $4.60. First up last campaign third of 9 at this track in the G3 Manfred January 24 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Space Rider carrying 57kg at $5. Good mare, watch betting. | |||
Caulfield Race 6 – Get on Board the Value
No. 5 Harry’s Yacht
HARRY’S YACHT (9) returns in a compact but class The Heath 1100 field and I think he’s been overlooked by the markets presenting as a lovely each way chance at $14 (at time of publish).
The Corstens / Larkin-trained Harry Angel five-year-old arrives fresh at his pet track boasting a very good Caulfield strike rate (4:3-0-1) and he’s two-from three over the short distance.
Has raced first-up four times for two wins in the past and has been trialling well at HQ ahead of his spring campaign kickoff.
Runs for the first time since a game fourth with 58.5kg behind War Eternal at Eagle Farm in the Listed Spear Chief in early June over 1500m, which I think had him stretched distance wise coming to the end of a solid prep.
Run prior he was narrowly beaten for third only 0.36 lengths off Abounding in the Group 3 BRC Sprint when doing plenty of work from a nasty gate.
Coming back to this course is the big tick and he’s well weighted with 57kg for Ben Allen who rode him to victory here on 60.5kg over 1400m in a BM84 back in the autumn.
He’ll need to stay in touch with them and not get too far back, but if he can land a good spot I believe he can surprise a few at odds.
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5. Harry’s Yacht (9)
J: Ben Allen 57kg
1234xT: L & T Corstens & W Larkin
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| First-up. Finished off last preparation fourth of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Spear Chief June 6 over 1500m, 2.25 len behind War Eternal carrying 58.5kg at $4.40. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.75 len Bendigo Bm78 October 29 over 1100m defeating Yaldi with 59kg at $8. Has ability but may find these on the sharper side. | |||
Rosehill Race 7 – Circle This One
No. 1 Diameter
Master trainer Chris Waller saddles-up the Up And Coming Stakes topweight, DIAMETER (2), in Sydney and even under the hefty 61kg impost this nicely bred Brazen Beau colt has definite place claims at a price.
He’s won one from six to date when improving over the mile at Randwick in April’s Listed Fernhill Handicap but went on to impress at 30/1 to round out the Group 1 Champagne Stakes trifecta behind Fireball.
Two lead-up Sydney trials have been strong, his Fernhill winning hoop Berry is back in the saddle and is drawn a dream in gate two.
Looks forward enough for a good showing ahead of tougher targets.
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1. Diameter (2)
J: Tommy Berry 61kg
4813xT: Chris Waller
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| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign third of 12 at Randwick in the G1 Champagne April 18 over 1600m, a long neck behind Fireball carrying 56.5kg at $26. Previously first up; third of 7 at Flemington in the LR Talindert February 14 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Hard Kick carrying 57kg at $13. Fitter for three trials and is right in the mix. | |||
Caulfield Race 7 – Rich Odds on Offer
No. 3 Rich On Bubbles
RICH ON BUBBLES (10) is drawn the outside alley in this year’s quality McNeil Stakes field, but the Hayes boys’ Capitalist gelding shouldn’t be discounted completely.
Boasting a 50% winning strike rate from six starts, he enjoyed three wins on the trot over the autumn in Victoria before being found out when sent to Sydney and things went amiss for him in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’.
He faded badly on the straight, dropping back sharply once the pressure was on to finish a distant last having struggled over the 1400m on Soft going.
That was in complete contrast to his run prior when winning the Listed Valley Pearl over 1200m at Caulfield – the track and trip he runs over this weekend.
Don’t love the conditions for him again as he’s obviously better on top of the ground, but he was okay at The Heath track first-up on a Soft (6) under a length fifth to Stakes on August 8.
Natural improvement fitter now second-up, love that Nash Rawiller comes aboard and sticking to the six furlongs is key.
Can surprise.
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3. Rich On Bubbles (10)
J: Nash Rawiller 58kg
110×5T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes
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| Second-up. First-up after four months 5th of 9 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1200m, slow going 0.9 len behind Stakes carrying 58kg at $18. Previously second-up scored a big 4 len win at Murray Bridge on March 7 over 1100m defeating Cliff Runner with 57kg at $4.40. Risking. | |||
Rosehill Race 8 – Time to Chime In
No. 3 Music Time
I’m on the favourite BLUE DOOR (1) for the win in the San Domenico, but for value MUSIC TIME (5) looks way overs for a resuming Golden Slipper placegetter.
Gratz Vella’s Canberra-trained All Too Hard gelding was an autumn revelation from the nation’s capital winning a trio of races at his home track including the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) when putting 1.72 lengths on Pearl Of Dubai after doing plenty of work from a wide gate.
That earned him a shot at the world’s richest race for two-year-olds and as a 40/1 outsider he ran out of his skin to cross under two lengths third to Guest House who also resumes in this race on Saturday.
Trialled very well at Randwick on August 14 when second to Revengeance showing he’s not gone backwards.
The booking of Kerrin McEvoy further instills confidence, and he’ll like be settled off pace before unleashing late.
Continues to answer when asked for, has plenty of ability and if the Slipper form holds this guy can run in the money again.
Price too good to ignore.
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3. Music Time (5)
J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57kg
1113xT: Gratz Vella
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| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 16 at this track in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 2 len behind Guest House with 56.5kg at $41. On debut second of 7 at Canberra 2yo Hcp December 28 over 1000m, 1.5 len behind Bar Jester carrying 58kg at $3.20. Kept stepping up to the mark in debut prep – would be rude to dismiss him. | |||
Caulfield Race 8 – Mr B is Back Baby
No. 1 Mr Brightside
MR BRIGHTSIDE (9) is the old marvel who I cannot wait to see return.
The veteran nine-year-old has his 49th start on Saturday and is out to add to his strong first-up record (10:3-4-1).
Loves Caulfield (12:6-5-0) and the 1400m fresh is ideal for this nearly $19 million earner.
He’s a 10-time Group 1 hero including his own Memsie trophy from back in 2023 and an All-Star Mile which has been upgraded since he took it out.
Has been second past the past in the last two editions of this race and continues to defy father time.
His spring last year was typically excellent for a horse of his age, and it’s really exciting to see him come back.
Hasn’t raced since a fifth in the Champions Mile when found out by a Heavy track, but he was strong in a recent Heath trial finishing second over Giga Kick.
Craig Williams reunites and is another old boy in flying form.
Let’s go Mr B!
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1. Mr Brightside (9)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
2125xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes
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| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign fifth of 9 at Flemington in the G1 Champ Mile November 8 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 10 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 59kg at $2.90. When resuming last campaign second of 9 at this track in the G1 Memsie August 30 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 59kg at $7. Champion gelding but off the long break and some query on how he’s going. | |||
Saturday Racing Previews
- Memsie Stakes Day Preview (Caulfield)
- San Domenico Stakes Day Preview (Rosehill)
- Eagle Farm Preview
Good luck punters!