Moonee Valley (Fri)

Race 5 – 8.30PM

They will sashay from the barriers like greyhounds in this, with Plateau Gold (3), Our Gladiator (8) and Another Diamond (6) all expected to go forward and really zing along in this 955m sprint.

Play the value angle here with Gibbon (4), who has had excuses at his last two starts (both at the Valley) when blocked for a run at crucial times. Speed on will suit him as he is likely to lob in a midfield spot and with a touch of luck leading into the bend, he can be finishing over the top with a rush.

Next best is Another Diamond (6), first up Weir runner that is good value at $7 with Bet365 hanging in the breeze. Also wary of fellow first-up runner Ashlor (1) but average apprentice on board lowers confidence, even is she does provide 3kg weight relief.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Kransky in one hand, cash in the other, The ‘Cock will be backing both Gibbon (4) at $6+ and Another Diamond (6) at $7 with Bet365. He urges you to do the same.

Race 6 – 9.00PM

Excellent quality race but few traps here which preclude The ‘Cock from getting overly involved from a betting perspective.

He has two first-up runners rated narrowly on top from early market fav Glenall (6).

Whispering Brook (8) had an okay campaign in her home state of WA over the spring, no wins from six starts did disappoint though. During her 3yo campaign, she ran second to Merriest in a ratings race that would win this event tonight by 3-4L. Wraps are she has worked well and will be ready to fire first up, with $6 at Bet365 excellent shopping.

On same marked price as her is Land Of Plenty (13), fellow Weir stable runner that also gets into this on the race minimum. First up record on paper reads poor but she finds a highly suitable race given the events she was contesting and more than competitive in over spring. Need $6+ to step into her.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Be measured in this race, medium sized bet on Whispering Brook (8) at $6 with Bet365 and smaller investment on Land Of Plenty (13) at Best of the Best with Neds or Ladbrokes.

Race 7 – 9.00pm

Good top end talent in this year’s G2 Alister Clark, with Cliff’s Edge (1) the red hot favourite in early markets from the only other logical danger in Astoria (2) at $4.50.

If the race is run as it looks on paper from a speed map perspective, you can almost pencil in Cliff’s Edge (1) as the winner. He looks likely to get an uncontested lead and will roll along for interesting jockey appointment Jamie Mott. Currently $2 with Bet365, The ‘Cock can easily see him starting closer to $1.60-$1.70 such is the advantages he will get on a typically leader friendly Valley circuit.

Astoria (2) picks himself as the threat should the fav get pestered in front. The ‘Cock truck loaded him last start when $4.60 into $3.00 before getting way too far back off a slow pace, running second. Extra distance suits him but again, position in running will be issue as Cliff’s Edge (1) should still a race winning march over the last 400m.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

One of the bigger plays this weekend, The ‘Cock will be going balls deep on Cliff’s Edge (1), who just wins on paper given where he’ll position in the run and barring some longshot pest bothering him, should be winning this with ease. Take the $2.00 with Bet365 (with added bonus of SP guarantee).

Race 8 – 10.00pm

Yucky race to wrap up the night, Moghul Empire (13) rates narrowly on top but well under the odds at early market price of $2.80.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Go to sleep, full Saturday circuit awaits when you wake up.

Flemington

Race 6 – 3.50PM

Not too often you see a race where there looks to be close to no speed. That lessens confidence as most jockeys will be aware of this and some are bound to hatch plans to ride their mounts way more forward that usual.

The ‘Cock will get good odds about his on top rater Addison (7), who has gone up $10 at most shops in early markets. She is a metro winner this prep (over 1800m at Caulfield in December) and ran well off freshen up at Morphettville over this trip last month. Has similar freshen up leading into this and The ‘Cock is keen to be on her.

The overs don’t stop there, with Amendment (14) sliding under the radar with Bet365 at $21. Last start winner over this trip, albeit in much weaker country grade but he was dominant and down in the weights, he wouldn’t shock at long odds.

Sherlock Holmes (5) best of the rest, with $10 first-up also good value.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

There’s nothing bookies hate more than laying decent sized bets on outsiders and that’s what you should be doing here with Addison (7) and Amendment (14), who are great value at double figure prices.

Race 7 – 4.30PM

The ‘Cock is really keen on Overshare (12) in this and expects him to race right up on the speed with Mask Of Time (7) and Theanswermyfriend (8) the other runners likely to keep him company.

Last start Group 3 winner Overshare (12) is in excellent form, holding his rating at a high level at his last two outings for a win and second. First time up to 1400m is the small unknown but he won’t cover an inch more than that distance being drawn in barrier 1 and bound to press forward early. On the race minimum, he looks an excellent bet at $5.50 in early markets (with The ‘Cock having him marked substantially shorter).

Danger will be first-up runner Theanswermyfriend (8), won three from six starts over 1400m and should position up close to the speed at his favourite track. Issue will be he has come up short in early markets as the favourite and will need to be humming near career peak to be winning this fresh. Having never won first-up from four attempts, The ‘Cock is wary of being on him at any price under $8.00.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Don’t over complicate this race, circle in on Overshare (12) who rates clearly on top with $5.50 in early markets supreme value.

Race 8 – 5.10PM

Slow tempo expected in this which could throw up uncertainty as to who will take the initiative and press forward. Market shows this race is fairly open, with the early fav Top Of The Range (3) coming up around the $4.40 mark.

The ‘Cock is a fan of the Jusufovic stable and their runner Abyssinian (8) comes up as the runner to beat in this. Lightly raced mare on the minimum weight, she only needs to match performance of last start when second over 1400m at Pakenham to be hard to beat here. Going up $8 in early markets, she definitely represents value.

Top Of The Range (3) looms as the logical danger. He looked gone on the turn last start but rallied to swallow up his rivals winning by 2.5L over 1600m at Caulfield in midweek metro grade. Love the profile of staying at this trip (his pet distance) but he does like to get back in his races so lack of pace on paper is a red flag. Need $5.50+ to step into him.

Watch the betting moves on import Pow Wow (4) having his first start in AUS for David Hayes. He could be a threat if tuned up to go first up.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Trap race given lack of tempo throws up a lot of unknowns. Small bet on Abyssinian (8) at Best of the Best with Neds or Ladbrokes.

Race 9 – 5.45PM

The biggest certainty of the day comes up in this race and that is The ‘Cock not betting.

Genuine lottery where there isn’t much separating the top 12 runners with confidence further eroded by it being a straight race. Time can be better spent finalising what letter of alphabet you’ll be picking in the blackbook for a little bedroom action later in the night.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

No bet race.

Rosehill

Race 1 – 11.10AM

There aren’t many things that have been as accurate as The ‘Cock’s radar for picking winners over the years, with only Jacko’s kicking for goal on a wet, windy day at Kardinia Park in the mid-eighties maybe a possible exception, though this betting market isn’t too far behind and sums the race up well.

All Too Soon (9) sits on top of it as a $3.60 favourite and you certainly won’t see The ‘Cock disputing that billing, with Tamarack (8) rating as the next best runner and also justifiably sits as a $4.60 chance with bookies.

Both of these will take a sit in midfield and get a pretty soft trail into the race as Cyrus Rocks (6) & Ready For Success (10) set only a moderate tempo up front but ultimately neither runner is providing the value for money that is going to be required to get The ‘Cock to leave the girls at the sun lounge aboard the S.S Peacock to get involved with this financially so early in the day.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

No bet race.

(EDIT: Back All Too Soon (9) Best of the best with Neds.)

Race 2 – 11.55AM

The early pace will come from the wider stalls once again here as the $3 favourite Stampede (6) and Mackintosh (3) to his outside both push across to take up the running, though they will only be going at a moderate click.

The ‘Cock has got Libran (2) rating ahead of all comers and thinks that he is going to prove very difficult to beat, having run fourth last time out on return in the Chipping Norton behind a thing called Winx and a few other handy types.

$4.20 is well over the odds and makes Libran (2) your first avenue for a big bet on the day, with the veteran Who Shot Thebarman (1) also a juicy prospect at $12 and makes him one to have on your ticket alongside the top rater.

Package these two up and take on the favourite Stampede (6), who is too short at $3 to justify getting involved in.  

Recommended Betting Strategy:

The ‘Cock will be showing all his feathers early on Libran (2) & Who Shot Thebarman (1) at some must have value with Bet365.

Race 3 – 12.30PM

There will be plenty of speed right from the word go here as Secret Lady (3), Setsuna (2) & Sunlight (1) lead these other fillies out as a trio that would give Kenny Calendar nightmares, but there should only be one likely winner here and it is Sunlight (1).

She has had a superb start to her career and is now shooting for four wins on the bounce following her Silver Slipper win here three weeks ago and The ‘Cock struggling to see anything else coming close.

Unfortunately, you’ll probably find better value being offered up for the sun to rise in the east tomorrow, so just put the feet up and enjoy this one.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

No bet race.

Race 4 – 1.10PM

Exciting to see the Blue Diamond winner Written By (1) go around in this after rain cancelled initial plans to trial on Tuesday. Speed should be genuine in this, with outsiders Chabreet (13) and Irukandji (7).

Despite Written By (1) rating as if he can take a detour by the Fish Markets for a dozen Coffin Bay’s and still win this, huge concern this race is very much just a fitness tune up for him leading into the Golden Slipper. Whilst he can still do enough to win at 85%-90% of his best ability, not sure you want to be taking tomato sauce (under $2.00) to find out.

Spin (5) easily looks best of the rest if the Blue Diamond winner fails to show peak form. He is still a maiden but has been narrowly beaten at his last two starts at Randwick. Feel Rosehill will suit better and retention of McEvoy a real positive.

Recommended Betting Syndicate:

Treat this as an education opportunity for Golden Slipper form analysis rather than truckloading the Stevie Wonder special Written By (1).

Race 5 – 1.50PM

This one is a far cry from the previous two races where the winner jumped off the page and slapped The ‘Cock across the face immediately, as you can throw a blanket over his top five rated runners Nieta (2), Dothraki (1), Latin Boy (7), Sprightly Lass (12) & Akasaki (11) in an extremely tight Group Three event.

The strong pace will be set by those who have drawn the outside alleys that will push forward in Sprightly Lass (12), Dothraki (1), Top Striker (10) & Isorich (4), but The ‘Cock isn’t expecting more than a few lengths to separate them from start to finish for most of the journey.

There’s nothing grabbing The ‘Cock in this field from an ability or value perspective so he will be quite content letting it slide through to the keeper.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Knowing when to say no is what separates a good punter from the pub degenerate. Opt for abstinence.   

Race 6 – 2.30PM

The ‘Cock still finds it laughable that they can’t find a Group One race to attach Phar Laps name too, but at least we are taking a step up for the day’s first Group 2 where The ‘Cock is anticipating a dawdling 1500m as the majority of the field look for a midfield sit.

That pattern looks like it will suit Shumookh (8) perfectly and allow her to coast along out in front without really having to spend too many petrol tickets. This will be easier than her last two runs in the Light Fingers and Surround Stakes where she ran very tight placings on both occasions, and without the same quality around her she shouldn’t have much trouble scoring here.

There is nothing else even in the picture so go chips in and thank The ‘Cock later.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Pile into the $2.75 currently on offer for Shumookh (8) and have a man with a van on standby to collect your winnings.

Race 7 – 3.10PM

There’s some huge value among the field for this feature G1 Coolmore Classic and The ‘Cock is licking his lips, with the race as wide open as it always is and providing some top betting prospects.

Francaletta (14) will bolt through on the inside from barrier one to take the early lead, with Prompt Response (5), Daysee Doom (3), Just Dreaming (17), Silent Sedition (2) & Flippant (12) all prominent around her and setting a good tempo.

The ‘Cock thinks that frantic fight for an early position will set this up perfectly for a swooper late in the piece, and he loves the look of Oregons Day (18) who fits that bill perfectly at great value of $17 currently.  

He was very strong on return when running a tight second to Flippant at Flemington and can absolutely go one better with some extra distance here, rating on top ahead of Bring Me Roses (15) who also provides great value for money at $17.

These runners will be charging over the top of the pacemakers late and The ‘Cock wants a piece of both of them, with current odds around double his rated prices and too good to refuse.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Don’t break the bank, but given the huge value for both Oregons Day (18) & Bring Me Roses (15) The ‘Cock wouldn’t miss the opportunity for an investment.

Race 8 – 3.50PM

The ‘Cock never likes putting people out of work, but he has a feeling there might be a few nervous employees on the trading floor at Bet365 after he and his fifty thousand followers have cleared them out in this one.

The race should be a good spectacle for the purists as a strong tempo strings the field right out, with Arbeitsam (6) & Kingsguard (10) setting the tone from Tom Melbourne (2) & Prized Icon (1), though The ‘Cock has backmarker in Cellarman (7) rating on top and as the clear best bet of the race.

He is career best form and now ready for the step up in grade after three consecutive victories, having previously shown a good affinity to the Rosehill track and no issues with soft going. Combine all of that and the $11 quote looks completely exorbitant, but that’s not our problem.

You know exactly what you’re going to get from Tom Melbourne (2) who should be competitive, but while he has to be respected there is no way The ‘Cock could be having a serious bet on him at $4.80 and will favour Radipole (9) at $17 as the destination for his small change.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Bet365 have exposed themselves to a complete reaming here. Go in heavy on Cellarman (7) at $11 and take a smaller stake on Radipole (9) at Best of the Best prices.  

Race 9 – 4.30PM

This is an awful note to finish an otherwise pretty strong punting card on, but The ‘Cock is unperturbed given he will have some serious real estate issues to be dealing with by this point in the day, trying desperately to find room to store yet another pallet of cash set to be delivered.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

While you might be tempted to blow one of the pineapples that you can’t squeeze into your wallet after the day’s fill up, The ‘Cock would put that one over the bar before giving it back to bookies with a stab on this race.

Gold Coast

Race 6 – 3.22PM

Like trying to pick which Gold Coast attraction is the most underwhelming, this race is an equally tough ask with The ‘Cock having nothing to separate Hopes Eternal (1), Mishani Hustler (3) & Plumaro (9) at the pointy end of proceedings.

The pace will be only moderate and set by a few donkeys who will head to the front in Boomsara (5), Mittere (6), Sassy Style (14), Cossie (12) & Wicked Ways (12), with The ‘Cock expecting all of them to fall in a spectacular heap when it gets willing.

Plumaro (9) needs to be respected and is one who should be charging home late, but she is too short to be getting involved with at $2.15. Both of Hopes Eternal (1) & Mishani Hustler (3) on the other hand are doing enough to justify a small stake at their $5.50 and $5 respective top quotes.

Nothing else is even worth looking at and The ‘Cock will be trying to move on from this one as quickly as possible.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Take both of Hopes Eternal (1) & Mishani Hustler (3) at Best of the Best prices.

Race 7 – 4.02PM

Forget the fact he’s drawn alongside the pokie machines at the new Star Casino, The ‘Cock is still very keen on Johnny Whitesox (2) following his very good win at Doomben last time out, providing reasonable value around the $3.50 mark.

Expect that he will sit just off the leaders Sista Act (8), Wonder Boom (3) & Bimini Road (15) throughout and have very little trouble moving past them when it matters most, having produced two wins and a tight second on a Heavy 10 in his three outings this campaign.

The main threat to him will come from two fillies Skate To Paris (7) & Basara (11), who will be poised for a late surge.

Those looking for some added security can include them on the ticket to pad out the quaddie.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Don’t put your yacht on him, but Johnny Whitesox (2) stands out as the best prospect of the race for a stake at Best of the Best prices.

Race 8 – 4.37PM

There is good pace on the cards here from Boomwaa (9), Il Mio Destino (5) & Snitzkraft (4) who will all look to bolt from their inside gates and get to the front, with Snitzkraft (4) the best of them and the top prospect of the race for The ‘Cock.

His stellar first-up record is reflected by his $3 favouritism with bookies which is fair, but like most things on the Gold Coast, it’s not enough to get The ‘Cock genuinely excited.

Boomwaa (9) rates next in line and a more enticing prospect at big overs of $16, while Upstart Pride (2) is also generously priced at the same $16 figure.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Consider taking a small stake on both of those value runners, but The ‘Cock would be more than happy to leave this goat track alone where he can.

Race 9 – 5.15PM

This is one of the occasions where the bookies have managed that rare feat which they all strive for in lining their markets up identically to The ‘Cock’s ratings, with very little splitting Plucky Girl (7), Courtza King (10), Sea The Sparkle (16) & Karakabeel (5) at the top end.

Courtza King (10) is the only one providing adequate value for money at double digits, but The ‘Cock is happy to wrap things up early and stay out of this given there’s every chance the track has turned to a swamp by this point in the day.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Your money will be better spent on the Saturday night circuit than this race.

Morphettville

Race 6 – 3.01PM

It’s only a minuscule field to start the quaddie but The ‘Cock is seeing enough value amongst it to want to get involved, with Tycoon Sofie (7) jumping off the page as the runner who is every chance to kick to a soft early lead and go all the way.

It will only be a moderate tempo around her throughout so don’t go expecting her to fall in a heap when it counts, with The ‘Cock rating her well in advance of any of these rivals and wants a good slice of her at Best of Best prices.

Iamthekey (6) & Miss Identified(4) are the two major dangers to her and provide $8 & $3.50 respectively, which is enough value for The ‘Cock to justify taking them both as insurance with a small Best of the Best stake on both.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Have all possible exit points covered here by having your big notes on Tycoon Sofie (7) and then the coin purse split on both of Iamthekey (6) & Miss Identified (4).

Race 7 – 3.41PM

Don’t expect this to be a hell of a spectacle as a fairly average field plod around over the 1250m, but The ‘Cock is unperturbed by the quality given the fill-up on offer as a result of the excessive value available for his top rater.

Fat fingers on the Bet365 trading floor must have accidentally hit double digits for With Hope (13), as that $10 price tag is way over the odds and makes her clearly the best value bet of the day in Adelaide. She has only missed the money twice in ten career outings and with a 3kg claim to help her cause today The ‘Cock wouldn’t want his money anywhere else.

The key danger Comfortable (1) comes from the leading local Balfour stable and won nicely at Gawler last time out, and while the $5 tag is only fair he is the key runner elsewhere to be respecting.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Roll up, roll up, this looks like one of those Peacock rorts. There is no way With Hope (13) should be a $10 chance so set stake to what is commonly known as Packer/Peacock level.

Race 8 – 4.21PM

This one will be decided at least 24 hours before they leave the gates once we know where Moghul Empire (4) will be running, as the dual acceptor for the Friday night meeting at Moonee Valley will be very hard to beat if he fronts up here.

Expect him to head straight to the lead amidst only a moderate tempo, and much like Tycoon Sofie in Race 6 he may be allowed to just keep rolling right until the end. The ‘Cock views him as the likely winner but is going to need $2.80 to betting large.

There is some good value to be had in behind Moghul Empire (4) with Touch (9) & Staghorn (11), who both look like good prospects to have your change on.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Monitor the situation around Moghul Empire (4) but it is unlikely that the price will be right, so take a small on Touch (9) & Staghorn (11) as your investment here.

Race 9 – 5.00PM

We might just have the perfect prelude to a Saturday night on the circuit here courtesy of another Bet365 brain fade, with massive overs of $6.50 on offer for The ‘Cock’s clear top rater Akkacan (9).

He looks ready to go one better after narrowly missing out over the main circuit here off a 42-week layoff last time out, so clear the front leg and go Viv Richards hard on him at that price.

Redentes Edge (2) & Stragun (4) rate as the next best and provide another good sidekick strategy to close out the day, both enticing enough around the $20 and $15 mark to justify small stakes.

Recommended Betting Strategy: You will have plenty of cash to play with by this point in the day and The ‘Cock would have no issue lobbing a substantial amount of it on Akkacan (9) at $6.50, with a side of Redentes Edge (2) & Stragun (4) at big odds in Best of the Best circles for good measure.

Ascot

Race 5 – 5.50PM

The ‘Cock is far from inspired by this first leg across the Nullarboor but the market has it absolutely spot on, sharing The ‘Cock’s assessment of Spin On Command (13) as the best of them from Rogan Scent (9).

Both runners will sit close to the leaders as a hot tempo is set, but there is no great value to justify getting financially involved with either at $3 and $6 respectively.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

No bet race.

Race 6 – 6.30PM

The last race was simply uninspiring but this one is a genuine lottery.

The ‘Cock could throw a blanket over them all from first to last and is happy to leave it alone altogether, as by 6:30 on Saturday night you are going to have plenty of better things to be doing.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

No bet race.

Race 7 – 7.05PM

The ‘Cock will be a bottle of scotch and three women down by this time of night, so his interest in this race would probably be limited even if there was anything even remotely interesting about it.

There’s only a moderate tempo on the cards which will be set by a few roughies in Burning Pride (9) & Send My Love (13), who will go out to lead as the sacrificial lambs early before being chewed up and spat out the back at the 500m mark, with Private Dancer (1) likely to prove very hard to beat running over the top.

Friar Fox (3) provides some solid value for money at $7 from those runners behind her, with Showcase (2) looking unders at $2.90 courtesy of the Pike factor.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

The ‘Cock is happy to give this whole meeting a miss but if you’re looking for one for some extra drinking money (like you’ll need it) then a medium Best of the Best bet on Private Dancer (1) is your tonic.

Race 8 – 7.40PM

Thankfully The ‘Cock will have done his damage earlier in the day because this is a crap race to finish off a crap quaddie in Perth. Don’t even bother looking at this.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Avoid altogether.