Horse racing tips, best bets for Eagle Farm, Rosehill and Flemington

Talented sprinter Splintex was gallant in the Doomben 10,000 and will be hard to beat with a drop in class in the Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.

Our experts give you an early shot at finding a winner in the major races this weekend.

Last week … Two winners. Glenn McFarlane got his best bet up with Yonkers ($2.80) and Mitch Cohen delivered with his value bet Nicci’s Fling ($8).

Saturday: ROSEHILL (9 races, start 11.20am), EAGLE FARM (9 races, 11.29am), FLEMINGTON (9 races, 11.40am), MORPHETTVILLE PARKS (9 races, 11.51am), BELMONT (9 races, 1.57pm).

EAGLE FARM

TRENTON AKERS (Courier Mail). Form: x57

SPLITEX (Race 5, No.1 — $2.60)

Drops down in grade from the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 where he was a major speed factor. While this is a strong Moreton Cup, there are no Eduardo’s in the field and he should appreciate a firmer surface with less speed factors.

Value bet: CELLARMAID (Race 1, No.7 — $6.50)

NATHAN EXELBY (Sky Racing). Form: 51303

VOLCANIC ROCK (Race 2, No.9 – $2.60)

The scratching of Cape Breton paves the way for this gelding to break through in stakes grade here. Thought there was nice improvement in the first-up run and suspect he will be fitter again for this. Will sit on speed and expect it to take a tidy effort to gun him down.

Value bet: FLASH AAH (Race 6, No.3 – $12)

JETT HATTON (Racenet) Form: 42525

GROUNDSWELL (Race 6 No.1 – $3.40)

Was out of his grade last start but is well placed back in a much weaker contest. Like him stepping out to 1500m, if Nash Rawiller can find the front and get Groundswell in his rhythm, they will find it hard to get past him.

Value bet: BORN A WARRIOR (Rosehill, Race 4 No.16 – $34)

ROSEHILL

MATT JONES (Daily Telegraph) Form: 42525

LOVE TAP (Race 6, No.2 — $3.40)

This horse has the class edge on his rivals and comes into it off a promising fresh run. He should handle the wet track and get into a better position in the run from the 1500m start.

Value bet: SWITCHED (Race 9, No.1 — $34)

CLINTON PAYNE (Racenet) Form: 2118x

ZING (Race 6, No.11 — $5.50)

As good a beaten performance as you could wish to have seen first-up and this time things have fallen much more favourably. Hard to beat.

Value bet: CHARRETERA (Race 5, No.9 — $14)

MITCH COHEN (Racenet) Form: 262×5

WICKLOW (Race 3, No.10 — $3.70)

Loved the way this new Chris Waller import went about his business on Australian debut. The Twilight Son three-year-old did his best work late to score over the mile at Newcastle and that form was franked when runner up Peekays Legacy scored last weekend at Kembla. Expecting the step up to 1800m to be right up Wicklow’s alley.

Value bet: THE GOOD FIGHT (Race 7, No.4 — $15)

LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

FLEMINGTON

BRAD WATERS (Racenet) Form: x33x2

FIFTH POSITION (Race 9, No.10 – $5.50)

Fifth Position made a pleasing start to his Australian career at Warrnambool and will be much fitter for the run. Expecting him to stay unbeaten second-up.

Value bet: WITCHFULTHINKING (Race 2, No.4 – $9)

GILBERT GARDINER (Herald Sun). Form: 2×454

RUBISAKI (Race 5, No.8 – $3.40)

Been a muncher of late but grades better than what she meets at Flemington on Saturday. Track and distance specialist.

Value bet: MASERATIE BAY (Race 9, No.9 – $10)

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (Racing News Editor) Form: 28719

CHIEF ALTONY (Race 4, No.12 — $2.25)

Won impressively by four lengths at Ballarat after the track pattern was against him first-up at the same venue. Barrier seven gives in-form jockey Mark Zahra the option of finding a midfield position.

Value bet: LUNAR FLARE (Race 9, No.16 — $7)

GLENN McFARLANE (Herald Sun) Form: 62171

CHIEF ALTONY (Race 3, No.12 — $2.25)

Rates big chance on his impressive victory last start, has a nice weight and handles all surfaces.

Value bet: REBUER (Race 7, No.3 — $3.90)

SIMON MOY (NewsRacing) Form: 403×1

REDWOOD SHADOW (Race 7, No.5 – $4.80)

Things didn’t go the plan last start but was doing best work late and meets favourite better at weights.

Value bet: ALL OF BRIGHTON (Race 8, No.2 – $7)

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 48114

YULONG JANUARY (Race 5, No.3 — $3.20)

Shot to prominence in late 2019 into early 2020 when he strung together four straight victories and he showed last start that he has recaptured that form.

Value bet: GRACE AND HARMONY (Eagle Farm, Race 8, No.6 — $5.50)

LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

s – denotes tip was scratched.

x – denotes spell or holiday.

Note: TAB odds correct at time of publishing.