Two salivating cards of racing at Flemington and Rosehill headline a massive day of racing across Australia on Saturday.
A brilliant edition of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap will be the feature at Flemington where a crack field of sprinters will burn the turf down the famous Flemington straight.
Meanwhile at Rosehill, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic is an open and interesting event as always.
The babies will also stake their claims for a last minute spot in the Golden Slipper, with the running of the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes and Group 3 Magic Night Stakes.
Check out our best bets for Flemington and Rosehill this Saturday.
Flemington.
Rail: Out 4m Entire Circuit.
Track Conditions: Good 4.
Best Bet.
Race Three Number One.
Revolutionary Miss.
Revolutionary Miss has been great without luck this campaign and rises to the mile for the first time since running second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last spring. Her trials leading into this campaign suggested she had returned in great order and she has replicated those trials on the track, closing nicely on both occasions. Revolutionary Miss also finds dry ground, which holds the key to her chances. Expect a positive ride by Mark Zahra from the inside draw.
Next Best.
Race Five Number Four.
Excelida.
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained mare was heavily backed to beat Annavisto last start, but her chances were gone as soon as the gates opened. Excelida stepped slowly and was forced to settle last. The blinkers went on that day and her work was sensational through the line, suggesting she is ready to win third-up. The last time she contested a race over the mile was when running third in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day. Connections have opted to scratch from the Group 1 Coolmore Classic in favour for this race with Mark Zahra to ride.
Rosehill.
Rail: True
Track Conditions: Good 4.
Best Bet.
Race Nine Number Twelve.
Waterford.
As we mentioned in our ‘Crystal Ball’ piece on Friday, this Saturday looks D-Day for Waterford. He stamped himself as a leading Doncaster Mile contender last spring with a host of dominant wins over this track and trip, but failed first-up in a Benchmark 88. Although he was caught in the inferior ground at Randwick that day, he finds a dry ground at Rosehill on Saturday and his trial between runs
suggests he is ready to run a massive race. Interesting to note Brett Prebble rides instead of James McDonald, but Waterford has the most upside in the race and his best will see him winning.
Best Value.
Race Ten Number Three.
Caboche.
Genuine stayer who I think the market has missed. He was good running third behind Melbourne Cup contender White Marlin at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and tackles the 1900m third-up. Although I do attest he would be suited better over further, the two-kilogram of Zac Lloyd certainly comes in handy and will be strong late. He enjoyed no luck behind Glory Daze at Randwick last start and will be very strong late.
