STAR BET - DUBLIN LASS (Rosehill - Race 5 No 3): Often barrier draws make all the difference and that looks the case with Dublin Lass in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill. Peter and Paul Snowden's mare drew barrier one whereas the stablemate and main danger That's A Good Idea drew the outside alley in a field of eight. With two on pace runners drawn to the inside of That's A Good Idea, a natural leader, there should be fireworks up front which will set the race up for Dublin Lass. Snowdens' five-year-old mare returned with a terrific runner-up performance down the Flemington straight and had won four of her previous seven starts. Ideally placed on 54kg she is our Star Bet of the weekend.
VALUE BET - KING'S OFFICER (Rosehill - Race 4 No 5): South Coast trainer Terry Robinson has taken his time with this five-year-old gelding and could be rewarded for his patience in the Highway Handicap (1500m). Bookmakers have posted $26 which appears extremely generous. Has finished out of the placings only twice from his past seven starts and charged home when resuming over 1200m at Goulburn to miss by a nose. Gets out to 1500m second-up in a big field with solid pressure expected up front. Blake Shinn takes the mount so has plenty in his favour. Worth a decent each-way ticket.
GEORGE MOORE BET - FONTELINA (Doomben - Race 7 No. 2): It's been a long time between drinks for Fontelina but the Group III George Moore Stakes (1200m) looks ideal for getting him back into the winner's circle. Has been transferred to Tony Gollan this campaign and resumed with an eye-catching fifth at Randwick in Listed company over 1100m before venturing to Flemington on Victoria Derby day when struck a biased track and was exposed without cover for the entire trip. His ninth place finish in a strong Group II affair was much better than it reads on paper hence the generous odds of $9 on offer. Jim Byrne, barrier one and the prospect of a solid tempo all support the chances of Fontelina returning to the winner's stall.
HOT HOOP BET - FRESPANOL (Rosehill - Race 8 No. 9): Former French jockey Thomas Huet has struck a hot patch of form recently booting home seven winners from his past 18 rides. His statistics aboard consistent gelding Frespanol reads four rides for two wins and two second placings - never outside of the quinella. A Listed winner last campaign, Frespanol is rock hard fit after four runs this time in whereas most of his main rivals are either first or second-up. The other key factor is that from barrier seven in a 15-horse field, Huet should find some cover in the run which is when Gai Waterhouse's charge produces his best form. Betting has Frespanol at around the $4.60 mark and that looks a fair price for a horse which is likely to be fighting out the finish.
TRIP SUITS BET - FAATINAH (Moonee Valley - Race 2 No. 4): The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Faatinah was sent out favourite in Listed grade at Flemington two starts back when a solid third over 1400m. He then dropped back to 1000m but found them too sharp down the straight. Comes right back to Benchmark 70 grade, gets to 1200m and has drawn ideally in barrier four. Maps to get all the favours in the run and looks a great bet.
PACE SUITS BET - BELORIUM (Moonee Valley - Race 6 No. 9): There are plenty of reasons to get keen about the Darren Weir-trained Belorium. He's twice raced at Moonee Valley for a win and an unlucky fourth which was his last start when unsuited by a slow getaway and leader dominated affair. There are six on pace runners around the mile on Saturday which should ensure a fast pace with the pressure on from the outset - the perfect race for a backmarker to blouse them late. With better than each-way odds available punters can play it safe of simply bet straight out.
TRACK BIAS BET - CHURCHILL DANCER (Moonee Valley - Race 7 No. 1): This is a big drop back in class for Churchill Dancer after contesting the Group II Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) down the straight on Victoria Derby day. The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained five-year-old finished seventh beaten four lengths but was at a similar disadvantage to our earlier tip Fontelina in that he raced four and five wide on a dynamite inside-biased track. Kept fresh since, drawn perfectly and with a 3kg claim for Dylan Dunn, Churchill Dancer should be winning.
$50 QUADDIE STRATEGY - ROSEHILL: A $50 investment will return 17.36 percent if successful.
1st leg: 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
2nd leg: 2, 8
3rd leg: 2, 3, 9, 10
4th leg: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14
$50 QUADDIE STRATEGY - MOONEE VALLEY: A $50 investment will return 13.02 percent of the dividend if successful.
1st leg: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11
2nd leg: 1, 2, 4, 6
3rd leg: 3, 5, 6, 7
4th leg: 2, 4, 5, 10