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This Saturday’s Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes may be a bit of a mouthful, but it will be mentioned many times, as it is one of the biggest lead up races for later in the spring. Traditionally, the 1600m Stakes has been a great guide for the WS Cox Plate, with 8 of the past 9 winners of the Plate coming in the top three in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

The horses in this year’s race will certainly be hoping to continue the trend, with all but two of the racers nominated for the Cox Plate. One of these horses is Jolie’s Shinju ($7.50 with Betfair). The Japanese raider has been nominated for the three big races this spring, but this might just be a warm up race for her. She has won several prestigious races in Singapore, including the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby.

The current favourite for the Cox Plate, Whobegotyou ($2.90), will probably start favourite here, and deservedly so. He has finished second in his past two starts, and this should be the perfect race to start a winning streak that could continue until the Cox Plate.

El Segundo ($4.00) won this race in 2007, and then went on to win the Cox Plate. He’ll be back for more on Saturday, and if he wins this race, expect him to become the clear favourite to win a second Cox Plate. He will need to overcome some recent bad form, however; he has not won since the 2007 Cox Plate.

Mic Mac ($3.60) possibly has the best form leading into this race. The 4 year old gelding has only lost one of his 8 races so far. He has won his past two since coming off a spell, including the Group 2 Memsie Stakes, which he won over several horses in this race, including Whobegotyou, El Segundo and Efficient.

I think Mic Mac’s form is too hard to ignore, but he will be strongly challenged by Whobegotyou. I think a quinella on those two will prove a good bet, and throw El Segundo in to make a fairly strong Trifecta. I’d love to see those three battling out in the Cox Plate. My fourth bet is Jolie’s Shinju, though I think her owners will not be too concerned with this race.

My Tips:

Mic Mac

Whobegotyou

El Segundo

Jolie’s Shinju

Saturday’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes, run over 1400m, is one of the more even races this weekend. Very few in the field of 11 are not legitimate chances, and there is not one clear favourite. The race is worth a nice $200,000, but most horses will be looking further ahead to the Group 1 Epsom Handicap to be held at Randwick on October 3.

Triple Honour, who finished third in last week’s Chelmsford Stakes, is one of the three horses battling for favouritism with Betfair, and is currently winning the race at $4.40. The five year old is a veteran of Group races, but his record in them is less than wonderful.

Another short priced horse is Racing to Win ($5.00), who has overcome past injuries to be at his peak for this spring. The gelding had a reasonable first-up race in the Warwick Stakes, but is now looking to improve and move on to the Epsom Handicap or the Cox Plate.

There isn’t a great deal of value to be found in this small field, but it’s worth having a look at Mentality, who is at $13.00. He was fantastic when he won the Premiere Stakes last month, but took a step backwards when he finished ninth in the Group 3 Tramway Handicap. However, if he can regain some form, he should prove some very good value.

I was a little shocked to see Mr Baritone ($6.50) in the top three in the Warwick Stakes a few weeks ago; I had though he was well past his prime. However, he looks set to have another (possibly his last) crack at the Sydney Spring Carnival, and is at $6.50 here. He still has a little way to go before convincing me, but he is one to watch for in this race.

This will be the first race for Rock Kingdom, who is nominated for both the Cox Plate and Epsom Handicap, since coming 9^th in the AJC Australian Derby in April. He has had some excellent form this autumn though, and could easily win this race.

I think Rock Kingdom will win this race, but Triple Honour and Racing to Win will not be far behind him. If you’re looking for a little value, Mentality is the way to go. With such an even field, you’re going to need a pretty open box trifecta.

My Tips:

Rock Kingdom

Triple Honour

Racing to Win

Mentality

Randwick’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes is a big name puller this week, with several big names. The $150,000 race has a reasonably small field, with only 10 runners after Dreamscape was scratched.

Several big names have won the Chelmsford Stakes, including Lonhro, Pasta Express and last year’s winner, Gallant Tess. The Chelmsford is traditionally a good lead up race to the Group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick in three weeks time.

O’Lonhro ($2.80 with Betfair) will start as the favourite, and looking at his recent form it is easy to see why. He impressed in his first taste of group racing two weeks ago, where he narrowly lost to Trusting in the Warwick Stakes. His sire, the great Lonhro, won this race twice, so the race may become a bit of a family favourite.

Not too far behind him is Court Command with odds of  $4.50. He finished 5^th in the Warwick Stakes, but won before that. He will be looking to win his first group race since May this year, where he beat a field of 17 to win the Group 3 Darley BTC Sprint.

Despite the small field, there has been no love for Moody Avenue, who is at $251. The 4 year old made his debut late compared to the others, and won his first race three weeks ago, albeit a maiden. He has not had experience racing against horses of the calibre of this field, and I feel like entering in the Chelmsford Stakes in like jumping in at the deep end before you’ve learnt to swim.

Another one at short odds is Triple Honour ($6). Despite not winning since last year’s Premiere Stakes, he is considered a good chance.  He is at short odds considering his trainer is not anticipated a win. Triple Honour could definitely finish in the top three, but those odds are not looking juicy enough for me yet.

Trainer Joseph Pride has two horses in this race, Vision and Power ($7) and Miss Marielle ($10). They are both good chances, although Miss Marielle has not run in a group race for some time. Vision and Power disappointed in the Warwick Stakes but has an excellent record before then.

I think that although O’Lonhro is still inexperienced, he has shown that he can fight out the group races and I think the Chelmsford will become his first group win. I think Vision and Power and Court Command are the next two in the race, and my other tip will go to the Anthony Cummings trained Miss Darcey ($21).

My tips:

1st. O’Lonhro

2nd. Vision and Power

3rd. Court Command

4th. Miss Darcey

It’s the first week of spring, and it’s when the Spring Horse Racing Carnival really starts to heat up. The $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes has always been a good marker for races further into spring, with past winners including Sky Heights, Northerly and Weekend Hussler.

Although Makybe Diva made a name for herself in races twice the distance, the Makybe Diva Stakes is run over 1600m. There are several Melbourne Cup racers in this year’s field, including Zipping and Master O’Reilly.

5 year old gelding Vigor (expect $10 with Betfair) has a good record, but is very inexperienced in group races. He jumped straight into a Group 1 last year, and finished sixth, but this will be his first group race since then.

C’est La Guerra ($26) is a good nomination. The gelding has not raced since a disappointing autumn, but is due for a good race and if he wants to make a good impression on the Spring Carnival, he’d better start here.

One of the few in-form horses is Heart of Dreams ($4.50) who, unlike C’est La Guerre, had an excellent autumn, winning both a Group 1 and 2. He was not disappointing in a first-up fourth against strong competition in the Group 2 J.J Liston Stakes a few weeks ago.

4 year old mare Typhoon Tracy (with odds around  $2.75 at Betfair) finished ahead of Heart of Dreams in the J.J Liston, and looks set for an impressive spring. She has raced only five times, but for four wins and the one placing. She may be a little out of depth in this race, but that hasn’t stopped others before her.

Predatory Pricer ($4.00) beat both Typhoon Tracy and Heart of Dreams in the J.J Liston Stakes, and should definitely not be discounted here. Neither should you forget Maco’Reilly (not to be confused with Master O’Reilly), who has been racing very well in New Zealand. This may be his first time on Australian soil, but by the way he has been racing over the past year, he’ll be right up there. He is at $26.00 and excellent value.

I like Heart of Dreams and Typhoon Tracy for the win, though I’m not sure which one of them I like better. There is a very open field, but I also like Maco’Reilly and Predatory Pricer.

My Tips:

1st. Heart of Dreams

2nd. Typhoon Tracy

3rd. Predatory Pricer

4th. Maco’Reilly

Melbourne looks set to rival Sydney on stars this weekend, with many famous names at Caulfield to race. The Group 2 1400m Memsie Stakes has most of these stars, including last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Viewed and Cox Plate winner El Segundo.

The Memsie Stakes is traditionally a warm-up race for horses that are really looking further ahead in the Spring Carnival. Last year’s winner was Weekend Hussler, and other winners include Miss Finland, Sunline and Makybe Diva, who went on to win her third Melbourne Cup later on that year.

Typhoon Tracy is one of the babies of the race. The Coolmore Classic winner, who came third in the J.J Liston Stakes a few weeks ago, is no stranger to challenge. But it will be interesting to see how she copes with this race.

I like experienced racer Orange County. Although he has not won since September last year, he has done well in recent races, including the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, he is a tough runner and should be near to his best racing, unlike those coming straight off a spell.

El Segundo is out for revenge. He hopes to beat Mic Mac, the four year old who beat him earlier this month in the Aurie’s Star Handicap. He will prefer the weight-for-age system of the Memsie Stakes, and is a big chance to join Sir Boom and Sunline as the only horses to have won two Memsie Stakes.

Fiumicino looks a good horse, but I think he is better suited to longer distance races. He has raced 1400m five times, and only managed one place. Like so many others, Efficent has not raced well since his last win. He has not even managed a place since the 2007 Melbourne Cup, so hopefully he can get a good result here.

El Segundo and Orange County are my first two picks, because they both run well over this distance and have much-needed experience. I also like Whobegotyou and the old warhorse Valedictum and is worth an each-way bet.

For the latest odds for this great race checkout Sportsbet’s Racing Section, where they give you a $50 free bet just for making an account!

My Tips:

El Segundo
Orange County
Whobegotyou
Valedictum

If you’re off to Rosehill in Sydney for the races this Saturday, it’d be wise to turn up early. The first two races on the card are the most prestigious, especially race 1, the Group 2 Premiere Stakes. The $150,000 event has drawn some of the best sprinters from around Australia and New Zealand.

Star gelding Phelan Ready, who at only three years old, has won over 3.2 million dollars, looks set for this one. His two wins, including last year’s Group 1 AAMI Golden Slipper, have come over the 1200m and he has been racing at a higher standard than other competitors in the Stakes. He has not raced since a disastrous attempt at the Sires Produce Stakes in April, but impressed in a barrier trial last Friday.

7 year old Fritz’s Princess may not have won a sum anywhere near Phelan Ready’s fortune, but the experience of 9 wins, especially the three over 1200m is one advantage she will happily take.

More Than Great looks another genuine chance, and his owners are looking to move him on to the Golden Rose later this month. The colt has only raced three times, but has won two of them and placed the other. The Premiere stakes will be a major step up in class for him, but he’s been racing so well I think he’ll be able to handle it.

Pay no heed to the nomination of Pillar of Hercules. Trainer Peter Moody has confirmed that the 5 year old will not race. Unfortunately, the horse that was once so promising now looks like being destined for smaller and smaller races.

Last year’s winner, Triple Honour, is back for seconds, but after remaining win-less since the event, is not in top form. It should be noted, though, that he has been racing in Group 1 events, and the Group 2 Premiere Stakes should prove a little more to his liking.

I think this race will be tough to bet on. Phelan Ready should start at small odds, but he is far from a safe bet. Although he oozes class, so do does young up-and-comer More Than Great. For an each-way bet I like the Hawkes trained Mentality. The 6 year old is no stranger to Group races, and the distance should suit it better than recent attempts at middle-distance races.

My Tips for the Premiere Stakes at Rose Hill:

5- More Than Great
6- Phelan Ready
4- Mentality
1- Centennial Park

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Saturday’s J.J Liston Stakes is sure to be closely watched by many punters, especially those keen on Cox Plate favourite Whobegotyou. The star three year old is the big name heading into the race, but he is not without competition. 7 year old Caufield Cup winner Master O’Reilly has been nominated, and so has the unbeaten Typhoon Tracy both with some great racing behind them.

New Zealand horses dominate the field, with 10 of the 23 entries coming from across the Tasman. Master O’Reilly, Zarita and Orange County head the Kiwi attack, with other group 1 winners Mr. Baritone and Ista Kareem not far behind.

But the Australian horses are not without hope. The brilliant Whobegotyou looks our best chance, but a change of jockey may prove costly. Although having Damien Oliver on board is far from a disadvantage, he has only ridden the star once, and punters would have been feeling a lot more confident if Michael Rodd was still riding.

Another group 1 winner to look out for is Gallica. While recent experiments over a longer distance have failed, the mare has had excellent form over 1600m races, which will hopefully transfer to Saturday’s 1400m race.

The New Zealand mare Zarita has not won a race since April 2008 and although she has been unlucky is probably not worth the risk if she gets a run. Master O’Reilly also looks past his use-by-date, and has not won below 1700m.

One to watch for is Fifth Avenue Lady. The 5 year old mare has placed in her past 6 starts, and won 3 of them, including the group 3 Patinack Farm Stakes. She is an expert over middle distance races such as this.
Shadowed by the recent retirement of his brother, Takeover Target, 4 year old Predatory Pricer will be looking to make a few headlines of his own. While he has only won three races, and none since September 2008, Predatory Pricer has impressed in both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the AJC Australian Derby.

I think Whobegotyou will be too strong, but Gallica and Fifth Avenue Lady will be two to watch out for and worth a place bet. Checkout Australia’s leading horse racing bookmaker IASbet for the latest odd for the big race.

My Tips for the 2009 J.J Liston Stakes

15- Whobegotyou
20- Fifth Avenue Lady
4- Orange County
21- Gallica

Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney will come alight on Saturday with the $125,000 Missile Stakes that is set to be one of the biggest with a host of classy runners. The 1100 meter race is placed perfectly in the racing calendar for both winter sprinters and spring racers resuming after a long break and attracts the big group 3 names. There are five horses tipped to be in the running. Dreamscape, Kroner, Fritz’s Princess, Olonana and last years Missile Stakes runner up Typhoon Zed all paying under $10 with the bookies.

After looking at the recent form and trial times Dreamscape is the one to beat here. I expect him to lead early from barrier four and should be well and truly up the front come the home straight. He’s also got what it takes to hold the competition out with a great 10.9 split in the final 200 meters of a 800 meter run recently.

It will be a battle of the big trainers with Gai Waterhouse and Bart Cummings training the favourites. IASbet has installed the Waterhouse trained Dream Scape as clear favourite to win over Bart Cummings Kroner.

Since Dreamscape hit the track he looked destine for a big future after he won the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes on debut in August last year and has continued to impress to this day with some great racing.

Our tips for the race

Dreamscape to win paying 2.80 with IASbet. He has earnt the respect from the field and is definitely the one to beat

Kroner will be up there with Dreamscape but may just miss with a place. There’s plenty of value for him at 5.00 with IASbet. He hasn’t raced in over a month where he was beaten as the favourite at the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford where he previously had a great lead up to the race winning 3 of his last 4 races.

IASbet is the place to go for race betting. More times than not they have the best odds and cover all Australian and International racing events. They also give new members a $100 free racing bet when you make $50 worth of bets, simply use the promo code SBLOG100 when joining. Check their site out here for more info and the latest odds for the 2009 Missile Stakes.

Caulfield will come to life with the $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes on Saturday. It should be an exciting race with a handy field of winter sprinters lined up in the race.

IASbet’s bookmaker Mark Read is tipping the favourite, Gran Sasso, to have a win.

“I Am Invincible ($3.70) will set a keen pace up front and, from his gun draw, Gran Sasso ($3.10) will be right on his hammer,” said Read. “Besides the perfect run, his current form and fitness easily sets the benchmark for this race.”

While confident about the chances of the favourite, Read believes that any boil over will be an in house job, giving Orange County a rough chance, “Orange County ($6.00) has a class edge, goes well when fresh and appreciates give in the track, ticking all the boxes as an appealing each way value in this race. Inversely, I’m opposing Damselfly ($5.00) as I regard his current quote as under the odds.”

I agree with Mark Read and think Gran Sasso is the logical choice for the big race. He’s a fit and in form horse and has responded to Chris Symons every move. With the coverted barrier number 1 he has the box seat and expected to do well.

His last run was on a dead track and showed that he is a true sprinter and took the lead from mid pack just before the striaght where he finished to a fairly comfortable win. I think that he will surprise some people come the Spring Carnival.

Mark Read’s IASbet have a huge range of horse racing markets including the Sir John Monash Stakes. They have a great promotion on at the moment, that if you use the promo code BFF100 when joining and make $50 worth of bets you will get $100 worth of free bets. Checkout their site for more info and the latest odds for the race.

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With a $7,000 trophy and a total prizepool of around $700,000 on offer it is no wonder that the Doomben 10,000 is seen as one of the most prestigious horse races in Australia. May 23rd will see the 76th running of the race, as well as millions of dollars bet on the outcome. Here at sportsbetblog.com.au we are giving you the run down of the top three contenders while the people at Centrebet are offering you a free $50 bet when you sign up with their site.

Apache Cat $3.20

Apache Cat won the 2008 Doomben 10,000 and will start this years race as the hot favourite. There was some doubt that the horse would make it to the start line after he was reported to be lame by Queensland racing vets after finishing a close third in the Doomben Cup. But trainer Greg Eurell has dismissed the report and feels that Apache Cat will be on top form for the big race. “The vet’s been right over him and basically his interpretation was that in any sport, no matter what you do, you can give your maximum and, the next day, you know you’ve given it your best. He said he wasn’t lame, but he may have been feeling his joint a little bit. There is no heat and there was no swelling and he could go around every horse at Doomben and find similarities in many cases. He’s been right over him and cleared him. It’s back to business.” Said Eurell. Apache Cat is hot favourite for a reason get your free $50 bet on him at Centrebet

Bank Robber$8.00

The four year old actually beat Apache Cat in to third place in the Doomben cup at the weekend, and the feeling is that Bank Robber could push last years Doomben 10,000 winner all the way again as he looks to defend his title. Bank Robber is trained by Gai Waterhouse who has high hopes for the horse, saying that he has it in him to join the elite of horse racing. “He’s run some fabulous races in Group One races but he just hasn’t been able to break through at that level yet,” Waterhouse said.
“But that could be about to change. He’s a little older now and has matured a lot and he’s very wound up.” To get your free $50 bet on Bank Robber go to Centrebet now.

Danleigh $8.00

Danleigh comes in to this race in great form having won the All Aged Stakes at Randwick in April. Ridden by Damien Oliver Danleigh came from behind to outsprint Royal Discretion, Light Fantastic and Hot Danish to claim the biggest win of his career. “He’s always had a lot of ability but injuries have hindered his career,” Oliver said. “I had a lovely run on him and the gaps started to appear at the top of the straight. I just had to bide my time but once he saw daylight he really hit the line well.” Danleigh is looking good and well worth a $50 free bet.

If you are feeling a little bit more daring and fancy some longer odds go to Centrebet for a full list of the runners and riders.