The Bart Cummings Tips & Predictions: Best Bets

Ciaron Maher lines up Juja Kibo, who is nearing a win after two good runs this preparation. He ran second at Randwick last start behind a talented import, and that should be a good form guide for The Bart Cummings.

He is a four-time winner from 18 starts, and although rising from 2000m to 2520m is a stretch, punters shouldn’t forget that he ran over 3200m in the Sydney Cup last autumn, which is a good form guide.

Carrying 55.5kg with Ben Melham riding is a good thing, and although anything can happen in staying races, he’s always around the mark. His consistency is to be admired, and there has been good betting interest for him at each-way odds.

If the current favourite doesn’t run, punters should expect his odds to firm into around $3.40. He’s the one to beat if Aethelwulf heads to the Metropolitan in Sydney. The winner earns a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup and usually firms in Melbourne Cup odds straight after the race.

Our Bart Cummings predictions include LITZDEEL (10), who has been backed and beaten three times this season, but she shouldn’t be overlooked at double-figure odds.

The 5YO mare ran second at Caulfield behind Saint George two starts ago, and Saint George runs at Group 1 level on the same card in the Turnbull Stakes. The form checks out well, and she will have no problems with the rise in distance.

The daughter of Dundeel is bred to stay all day, and with her tactical speed advantage, she should settle close to the pace and battle strongly over the concluding stages. Her form at Flemington reads well, so there aren’t many downsides to including her in picks.

A stayer who is slipping under the radar is MR MONACO (13), who should run much better than what he showed at Randwick last start.

The open track of Flemington should help his chances, and his fourth at Hawkesbury fresh-up was a much better effort. If he’s anywhere near his best, he should give most of these runners a run for their money.

He showed his best form in the autumn, and dropping to 54kg with young gun Jabez Johnstone in the saddle helps. He’s a value bet at the current odds, which are too good to turn down.

Punters get value odds with our The Bart Cummings SRM, which includes our three selected runners.

We have Juja Kibo Top 3, Litzdeel Top 3, and Mr Monaco Top 8, which pays $14.00 for our three-runner SRM.

The massive field means punters get value odds, and our three runners should be right around the mark. Mr Monaco pays $1.70 for a Top 8 finish, and those odds are good to boost payouts with Bart Cummings tips.