Winter racing takes centre stage this Saturday with quality feature meetings at both Rosehill and Flemington, and we’ll be covering the key races from each card.
At Rosehill, attention turns to Winter Challenge Day, where we’ll preview Races 7-10, headlined by the Listed Winter Challenge and a host of competitive support races that traditionally throw up plenty of value.
Down south, it’s Deane Lester Flemington Cup Day, with Races 6-9 on the agenda. The feature staying contest is always a fascinating affair, while the supporting races provide a mix of emerging talent, seasoned campaigners and some intriguing betting opportunities.
It shapes as a tricky day for punters with several evenly matched fields and no shortage of chances across both meetings. Finding the right map, identifying runners ready to peak and uncovering a bit of value could be the difference between a good day and a great one.
We’ve done the form and narrowed it down to our best bets and value plays across eight feature races, giving you everything you need for another quality Saturday of winter racing. 🏇🔥
🏇 Rosehill R7 1100m – Schweppes Handicap
📝 Race Overview:
A speedy 1100m contest where early position will be vital. There’s plenty of pace engaged and runners that can absorb pressure and still finish off strongly should be hardest to beat.
🔥 Best Bet: ICE KOOL
💰 Odds: ~$1.75
⚡ Has done little wrong this preparation, overcoming adversity to win impressively second-up before bolting in at a recent trial. Maps to take control again and looks extremely hard to catch.
💎 Best Value: CIGAR FLICK
💰 Odds: ~$16
💥 Impressive fresh winner before an even second-up effort and then never got clear when it mattered last start. Gets another chance to show his best and appeals at the big price.
🏇 Rosehill R8 1300m – Racing And Sports (Bm88)
📝 Race Overview:
A competitive handicap with several genuine chances. Tactical speed and a soft run in transit should prove crucial.
🔥 Best Bet: ELOUYOU
💰 Odds: ~$6
⚡ Tough on-pacer who comes north in excellent form. Did a terrific job after working across from a wide draw at Caulfield and looks capable of giving a big sight.
💎 Best Value: MIDNIGHT OPAL
💰 Odds: ~$10
💥 Better than recent form suggests. Her two best runs this preparation have come with softer runs and she can bounce back if she enjoys similar luck here.
🏇 Rosehill R9 1500m – Toyota Forklifts Winter Challenge
📝 Race Overview:
The feature race of the day and an intriguing contest over 1500m. Several runners are in form and the race should be run at a genuine tempo.
🔥 Best Bet: MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE
💰 Odds: ~$3.10
⚡ Has enjoyed a terrific preparation, winning three of his first four starts before sticking on bravely after racing wide last time. Profiles beautifully for this.
💎 Best Value: WAR ETERNAL
💰 Odds: ~$11
💥 Showed plenty of determination putting together a hat-trick of wins before tackling stronger company last start. Deserves respect and can be in the finish again.
🏇 Rosehill R10 1200m – Rosehill Bowling Club (Bm78)
📝 Race Overview:
A deep sprint to close the meeting where luck in running and tempo will play a major role.
🔥 Best Bet: READY TO SHINE
💰 Odds: ~$8.50
⚡ Had excuses before producing a strong second-up win when leading throughout. Comes here in good order and looks capable of going on with it.
💎 Best Value: STARDEEL
💰 Odds: ~$16
💥 Excellent first-up on heavy ground before doing too much work from a wide draw next time. Freshened up and capable of a much-improved showing.
🏇 Flemington R6 2800m – Deane Lester Flemington Cup (1849 Hcp)
📝 Race Overview:
A genuine staying test where stamina is everything. Expect a steadily run affair that builds into a battle over the final 600m.
🔥 Best Bet: BLACK RUN
💰 Odds: ~$4.80
⚡ Didn’t quite run out the trip at Rosehill but had been racing consistently prior and now gets another chance over the staying journey. Can improve significantly.
💎 Best Value: PARVATI PARTY
💰 Odds: ~$8
💥 Returned to form with a strong victory under a lighter weight last start. If she can reproduce that effort, she’ll be in the finish again.
🏇 Flemington R7 1200m – VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate (Bm88)
📝 Race Overview:
A quality sprint where a progressive youngster takes on older opposition. Speed and timing will be key.
🔥 Best Bet: BARARI
💰 Odds: ~$2.50
⚡ Has won three of his past four and wasn’t suited by race shape last time. Gets in well at the weights and looks the one to beat.
💎 Best Value: MOBY DICK
💰 Odds: ~$8.50
💥 Form reads better than it appears. Had excuses at his past two starts and is capable of bouncing back to his best.
🏇 Flemington R8 2000m – VRC Member Richard John Rowlands Plate (Bm100)
📝 Race Overview:
A fascinating middle-distance contest featuring several lightly raced and progressive runners.
🔥 Best Bet: THINK GIANT
💰 Odds: ~$3.10
⚡ German import who caught the eye on Australian debut and has strong overseas form over this distance. Looks capable of making an immediate impact.
💎 Best Value: SAINT GEORGE
💰 Odds: ~$8
💥 Consistent type who has run well at Flemington before and should appreciate stepping back to 2000m.
🏇 Flemington R9 1000m – VRC Member Andrew Bostock Trophy (Bm78)
📝 Race Overview:
A sharp 1000m sprint to finish the day where speed and momentum will be everything.
🔥 Best Bet: NEXT STEP IOWA
💰 Odds: ~$3.20
⚡ Has been excellent this campaign, winning his first two runs before a solid effort in stronger company. Looks ideally placed back to this level.
💎 Best Value: LANDMARK
💰 Odds: ~$11
💥 Has been competitive in decent races without winning and gets another opportunity here. If the race is run to suit, he’ll be charging late.
Colossalbet understands the ramifications of gambling beyond your means and has implemented various safeguards to protect our clients and their interests.
Colossalbet works with Gambling Help Online to offer assistance to anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by gambling. If your gambling has become problematic or the behaviour of a loved one has become a concern, Gambling Help Online offers a range of free support and counselling services about problem gambling in a variety of languages and in a safe and anonymous environment. You can contact Gambling Help Online at any time for free and confidential advice and support by:
📞 Calling 1800 858 858
🌐 Visiting their website https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/