The Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off tomorrow and I’ve got four to follow across two states. We’ve had a bit of luck in recent weeks with the blackbook runners and I’m confident we can get a return again this week. We’ll kick off in Melbourne where it’s Derby Day and I’ve two that I’m keen to follow – There was a lot to like about the last start run of LIVE ($7 at time of publish) and she looks to have plenty of upside. Slow away from the inside draw in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes, she settled a clear last…

Bendigo will be the centre of focus this Wednesday as the time-honoured Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup gives runners one last chance to earn their place in the race that stops the nation. Fourteen runners will line up for the $500k Group 3 staying feature that may see the winner secure his or her place in the 2025 Melbourne Cup. A further eight races will be run on the day, and I’ve provided my detailed selections for each event below in my Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup Day Preview. Race 1 (12:50pm AEDT) BIG AL’S WATER 3YO MAIDEN PLATE SW 1000M No. 10 THANKS…

The 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is almost upon us and what better way to launch the festivities than with an exciting eight-race card under lights at The Valley. Run at Group 2 level, the Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup will headline the Cox Plate Eve program, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of racing. I’ve delved deep into the form and have provided my thoughts and selections below in my Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Night preview. Race 1: (6:15pm AEDT) CHEF’S HAT HANDICAP BM70 F&M 1600M No. 5 A DIVA A DIVA comes off a commanding 2.5 length…

The Spring Carnival rolls on, and we’ve got Group 1 action across two states this Saturday. If you followed the blackbook tips last week, you would have been on Ceolwulf at double figure odds, as the addition of blinkers saw him produce his best to take out the King Charles III Stakes. I’ve just got the three runners that I’m keen on this week, all of which are due for a change of luck. We’ll kick off in Melbourne where it’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day – PINSTRIPED ($8 at time of publish) will step out in the Crystal Mile and he’s…

A mammoth day of racing bestows us tomorrow and I’ve got six runners for this week’s edition of the Blackbook. We’ll kick off in Melbourne where it’s Caulfield Cup Day – ICARIAN DREAM ($11 at time of publish) will step out in the opener at Caulfield and it just looks an ideal race for her. The Blue Point filly finished off well from the tail when resuming over 1100m down the Flemington straight in the Listed Cat D’antibes. Second up in the Champagne Stakes, she again got back but hit the line strongly in restricted room to get within 1.5 lengths…

We’re in for a real treat this Wednesday as Caulfield plays host to a quality eight race card, headlined by the Coongy Cup. The Group 3 feature is the last piece of the puzzle for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, with the winner securing his or her place in the time-honoured event. A full field will assemble and with the current favourite, She’s A Hustler sweating on a run as the fourth emergency, the $240k contest looks wide open. The Listed Debutant stakes is the second of two back type races to be run and won on the day, as the juveniles…

Royal Randwick takes centre stage the Saturday with a triple-header of Group 1 racing. The Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan, and Flight Stakes are poised to headline what promises to be a mammoth day on the track. The Premiere Stakes will also be run and won with the Group 2 feature, a crucial lead up to the $20M The Everest to be run on October 18th. I’ve delved deep into the form for all ten races and you can find all my detailed selections below in my Epsom Handicap Day Preview. Don’t forget to also check out our The Punters’ Playbook:…

Group 1 racing across two states this Saturday, Spring really is the best time of year! I’ve got a handful of runners to follow and we’ll kick off at Royal Randwick where it’s Epsom Handicap Day. WITHOUT PEER ($4.20 at time of publish) comes off a brave run in the Ming Dynasty and he looks ideally placed stepping out to the mile in the Dulcify Stakes. Off a wide gate, he tried to slot in but was caught deep in the early part but still finished off strongly to claim third in the 1400m Group 3 feature. The Ciaron Maher trained…

Sandown will play host to this week’s Melbourne metropolitan meeting with seven races to be run and won on the Hillside. I’ve had a good look at each event on the card and have provided all of my detailed selections below in my full Sandown preview. Race 1: (2:00pm AEST) RACE PREVIEWS PLATE MAIDEN SW 1000M No. 1 ACT NATURAL ACT NATURAL has been placed in all five of his raceday appearances and looks well placed to finally break through. When resuming over 1100m on the Pakenham synthetic, the Phillip Stokes trained gelding took up the running and was only…