Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s meetings, with horse racing tips and analysis for the five best bets of the weekend. Good luck, punters!

 

Ascot Race 8 – Winterbottom Stakes (Group 1) 1200m

16:45 (local time)

ROTHFIRE looms as the one to beat in this WA feature Group 1 event. He is drawn to perfection in 3 and with Oliver aboard, he should be able to give him the gun run just off the pace.

He seems to run his best races around the bend and the trainer has stated that Rothfire has settled in perfectly well which is always an issue for horses travelling west. He is the horse they will all have to get past in order to win this Group 1.

Tip: ROTHFIRE

Ascot Race 6 – Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic 1400m

15:25 (local time)

SAINTORIO, coming off a gallant run last start 3rd in the WA Guineas against Amelia’s Jewel, is the one to toss in this listed race. Although coming back from the 1600 to 1400, he should be able to find the lead early and dictate the pace.

Brad Parnham knows this horse well and I would expect him to let him down rounding the home turn and give them something to catch. Looks like a nice horse in the making.

Tip: SAINTORIO

Caulfield Race 7 – Zipping Classic (Group 2) 2400m

16:20 (local time)
The old champ VOW AND DECLARE deserves to add another big race to his bank. He has raced extremely well this time in and was not  disgraced in either of his efforts in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
He looks to have a fair bit of class on his competitors here and meets them all at the same weight of 59 kgs.  Ticks a lot of boxes so get on him at the nice each way odds currently.

Tip: VOW AND DECLARE

Caulfield Race 8 – Sandown Guineas 1600m

17:00 (local time)

Looking for some value in the Guineas. It’s a race where interstate raiders have flourished over the years and especially horses from NSW, so have come up with SANDPAPER.

This guy got way too far back last start at Flemington from the wide draw and 60kgs but he was doing his best work over the concluding stages. Mark Zahra jumps on board, so look for him to try to sit midfield and be the one running over them approaching the line.

Tip: SANDPAPER

Gold Coast Race 7 – Tattersall’s Classic 1200m

15:48 (local time)

A wide open race, the main race of the day here at Gold Coast. I’m going with SALATEEN with Jim Byrne & Tony Gollan combining again. This mare loves the journey and has placed 3 out of 4 starts second up from a spell.

She looks to be dropping slightly in grade for this race and at nice double figure odds, she could easily be the one storming over them as a hot pace looks very likely with some speedsters drawn inside.

Tip: SALATEEN