Saturday racing in Queensland sees a mouth-watering line up of stakes grade events, where most fields look wide open from a betting angle.
The J.J. Atkins sees the 2yo's tackle 1600m, in a race that the Waller stable always target strongly. Expect his leading fancies to dominate there and also throughout the card.
As always, watch for strong late moves inside the last minute of betting for a good guide.
Race 5 Queensland Guineas (Group 2, 3yo SW) 1600m
The speed looks only moderate here, with Agassi (6) the most likely to roll forward from a mid-draw and take up the running. With a slack tempo present, expect a number of the leading chances to be ridden more forward.
James McDonald has jumped off Ringerdingding (2) to ride race favourite Kolding (11) in this, which has to be some guide. However, I'm happy to stick with his former mount here from a price and class angle.
Ringerdingding (2) has had huge wraps on him all the way through and took on Winx three starts back.
He strikes a field which lacks the quality that he has recently faced and with the drop in grade, expect him to be in the finish.
Kolding (11) was a huge run to win at Randwick last start when heavily backed. He draws awkwardly here however, and his run-on profile may not suit in this slow run affair.
You have to respect Godolphin with Pohutukawa (4) entered here. He can hunt up to find an ideal position midfield with cover and be ready to pounce.
Best at odds is Leonardo Da Hinchi (7) ($31), who I expect to race right outside the leader and give a good kick in the straight.
Best Racing Tips
1stRingerdingding
2ndPohutukawa
3rdKolding
4thLeonardo Da Hinchi
Race 6 J. J. Atkins Plate (Group 1, 2yo SW) 1600m
Czarson (6) jumps straight on the bunny here and will look to lead throughout, in a race that again appears to lack genuine speed.
Reloaded (13) carries the huge boom and the Waller camp know how to set a good one up to win this particular race (think The Autumn Sun).
He was excellent when second at Randwick last start and can go right on with it here.
The one that can be ridden closer is Accession (9), who should race in the first half of the smallish field and be in an ideal striking position (also has the "Waller Factor").
Strasbourg (5) is all quality and a last start winner of the Sires Produce at this track over 1400m. The step up to a mile suits and he should be in the finish somewhere.
Czarson (6) has the quality to hold on for a long way and should be included in wider exotic bet types.
Best Racing Tips
1stReloaded
2ndAccession
3rdStrasbourg
4thCzarson
Race 7 Queensland Derby (Group 1, 3yo SW) 1400m
A capacity field will face the starter for this Group 1 event, where I'm sure a few will be keen to race on speed.
Expect Fun Fact (6) and Mahis Angel (19) to both go forward and set up a more genuine tempo than most anticipate.
The Mr Quickie (5) form is enormous and although beaten into third placing in the SA Derby, look for him to use the good gate and bounce back to winning form here. He has the fitness edge on most.
Scarlet Dream (16) is now well exposed following both The Roses and ATC Oaks runs (brilliant at each), however must be respected especially with the Mark Newnham stable airbourn.
I thought Declares War (1) was slightly over the odds at $18, following the great effort last start when he stormed late to grab them all at Flemington. Could start shorter.
Best of the rest is Savy Oak (2), who will stay all day and just needs the speed to go on through the mid-stages to show his best.
The Lord Mayor (2) loves to roll along out in front and from the good draw, should set a moderate to strong tempo for the field.
Expect Haripour (4) to get the gun run just in behind the speed and from there, he can peel and find the line very strongly.
His latest form is high class and the market normally suggests there is pro money for him.
Sixties Groove (17) is an SP profile star, where he's been smashed on tote boards across the country. At his last start he was $4.00 into to $3.60 late, before going down narrowly.
Happy to have him on top and expect him to start shorter.
Sopressa (11) ($18) is the one for trifecta and exotic players. He can come on strongly and has form following his excellent last start 2 of 11 at Morphetteville.
Throw in Exoteric (5) at the bolters odds of 80/1, who gets the coveted Waller/J Mac combo and will be storming late. Looks big overs to my eye.
Best Racing Tips
1stSixties Groove
2ndHaripour
3rdSopressa
4thExoteric
If you are betting in Melbourne on Saturday makes sure you check the Flemington tips page where every tipster has validate profit stats.
Best Racing Tips
