Welcome to Weekend Winners, your one-stop tipping sheet for Saturday's big meetings.
STAR BET – ALWARD (Rosehill - Race 4 No. 4) – We don’t mind betting-up on the Bowman/Waller combination and this former European franked his good track statistics when towelling rivals around the Flemington 2000m last start. Showed a stunning turn of foot at the end of a genuine mid-distance event and looks to have plenty of upside coming to Sydney for the first time. A soft gate should present Bowman with a smother and confident we are backing the best horse in the race – with the best jockey aboard.
VALUE TIP – LORD TENNYSON (Moonee Valley – Race 4 No. 11) – The soft draw will give jockey Damian Lane a few options aboard this five-year-old. Sectionals were strong when flashing home at Flemington last time after being ridden quietly off a wide gate. Previous form which included two wins this campaign had him settling handily so Lane can take his pick this time. A capacity field with speed drawn across the track should ensure a solid tempo and in an even affair – whichever horse gets the best run should go close.
CHANGE OF LUCK TIP – ALLEZ CHIVAL (Gold Coast Race 1 No. 7) – After winning five of her first eight starts, this handy sprinter has gone 623 days without a win but it hasn’t been from a want of trying. She’s going better than the formguide reads having finished ninth in her past two runs where luck has deserted her in unsuitable races. That’s not the case here, she’s drawn a soft gate and this is going to be easier than her recent runs. They are betting around $20 and that’s over the odds. We’ve said it before but we’ll tell you again, always respect Sydney-based form when heading interstate.
THE COPYCAT TIP - PARIAH (Rosehill - Race 7 No. 1) – The point was made in the Weekend Winners ‘meeting’ that the wide gate surely made Pariah vulnerable around the Rosehill 1100m on a good track. But that point of view was quickly shut down when watching the lead-up trials of this Peter and Paul Snowden-trained three-year-old colt. A look the speedmap also provided enough confidence for team to reach a unanimous decision. Madeenaty, Speed Street, Perast, Another Sin and Condor Heroes put the pace on – we are expected a Menari-like finish.
ONE FOR GREGGY TIP – SPY DECODER (Morphettville Race 7 No. 3) – Regular Racenet forum contributor Greggy has had an ongoing love affair with this chaff bandit for the past few years which we recognised with a story when the horse resumed. We don't know whether Greggy has, but the Anthony and Edward Cummings stable have now had enough and moved him on. He’s found himself down at the astute Grant Young stable in Murray Bridge and working away from the track might just do the trick with him. Spy Decoder wasn’t terrible first-up and off a freshen up in much easier grade, he might just give us something to cheer about on Saturday, something he hasn’t done for 1038 days. Have something small on him at the big odds because if you’re on him and he wins – that’s a trophy bet.
KNOCK KNOCK TIP – OAK DOOR (Moonee Valley Race 9 No. 8) – Robert Smerdon is having a winning run and Oak Door looks set to win this first-up judging by a recent jumpout. Has raced in Group and Listed affairs at his past four starts yet resumes here in a Benchmark 90 with only 55.5kg. The wide gate shouldn’t be a problem around Moonee Valley, Ben Thompson can roll forward and either press on to lead or take the trail. Either way, he looks to have a lot on this field.
BIG ANGRY FISH TIP – SNAPPER (Gold Coast Race 9 No. 5) – For those that love fishing you should take a look at the daily TV show on 7Mate – Big Angry Fish – if you haven’t already. We’re honouring Milan and Nathan this week for their entertaining program by tipping one of their favourite targets – Snapper. This five-year-old gelding showed sharp improvement last start when stepping up to the mile off two sprint starts and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t expect another solid effort this week over 1800m from a good gate in easier grade. Looks attractively priced around $4.50.
