Australian Derby

It is music to the ears of punters with Randwick dodging most of the expected wet weather. And while we are racing on a Heavy surface, the track has pulled up much better than the bottomless pit that was expected. Horses who enjoy the cut out of the ground will thrive and now there is real intrigue on the Zaaki vs Anamoe battle in the Group 1 George Main Stakes. Our expert analysts have done the form and come up with their top picks for this Group 1 race day.   Randwick Tip from Michael Gannon Back Mick's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Mick's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 2 #6 Mahagoni $3.00 After running the best 11th of 14 you'll ever see at Hawkesbury, he nearly produced a boilover at massive odds in town. On that occasion, he ran Waterford to 0.2 lengths with Kalino a further length behind. Impressively, he produced the 4th fastest last 200m that day. Waterford then came out and toyed with his rival's at his last start, marking himself as a star on the rise. Kalino also produced a huge effort since, running 2nd behind the talented Pink Ivory. Both these runners have seriously franked this form line, suggesting this could well be the bet of the year! Mahagoni drops to a BM72, meets midway company and gains the services of James McDonald. In a field of 20, barrier 14 looks ideal. It'll allow JMac to land midfield with cover before finding the best going in the straight. He looks like a galloper with plenty of upside and with even luck he can put a big gap in these. Follow @M_Gannon_   Randwick Tip from Dean Watling Back Dean's HOT Bets! Now you can follow his tips without paying for them. Back his HOT Bets for Saturday's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 6 #5 Zougotcha $2.50 Zougotcha looks well suited here in the Group 2 Tea Rose. She was brilliant first up when overcoming difficulties to sprint away from her rivals. That race has stacked up superbly with North Star Lass and In Secret coming out to win. Furthermore, the time he ran was on par with the Toy Show won by Showmanship. For this event, he has drawn a perfect gate and gets James Mcdonald aboard. Her record in the wet is great and this will pose no concerns. She looks the best of the day. Follow @deanwatling   Randwick Tip from Luke Hovhanesian Back Luke's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Luke's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 8 #4 Mazu $8.00 This 4YO gelding resumes on the back of two super trials where he was mowing his way to the line under a tight hold. At his latest trial, he sat outside the leader and jockey Sam Clipperton didn't even flinch in the home straight. Sam has ridden him in both trials and is maintaining his great relationship with the horse (7:6-0-0). He has an outstanding record in the wet (7:6-0-0) and is 4 from 4 in the heavy going. With Eduardo and Nature Strip in this same event, the pace will be genuine and Mazu maps to get the perfect sit behind the leading pair. He can peel off their backs in the home straight and have the first crack at them. Follow @LHovhanesian

The rain returns this weekend with runners likely to race on a Heavy surface. The mud larks will be out in force, including Everest contender Eduardo. The now 9YO will be keen to kick off his preparation with a strong win. The rail is out 7m for the entire circuit.   Randwick Tip from Dean Watling Back Dean's HOT Bets! Now you can follow his tips without paying for them. Back his HOT Bets for Saturday's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 1 #8 Opal Ridge $2.60 Opal Ridge drops back to highway grade for this contest at Randwick. She has been racing again some of the top 3YO prospects her past couple of starts and brings strong form-lines to a highway race. She was very unlucky two starts back on a heavy track, beaten 1.5 lengths by Troach who was then competitive in the Rosebud. Last start she had to sit deep the entire trip and still battled on well. She is staying at 1200m here which suits and looks to get a lovely run-in transit from barrier 7 with James McDonald in the saddle. If she can bring her past form she will be hard to beat in highway grade. Follow @deanwatling   Randwick Tip from Luke Hovhanesian Back Luke's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Luke's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 6 #4 Seven Veils $26.00 Angling for value with a proven performer in wet conditions. In his 2YO campaign, he was able to challenge some top-tier performers before spelling. This included a 0.4 length second to Conqueror, with that runner being a $3.50 fav in the G2 San Domenico last week. Seven Veils trialled like a star before his first up run, where he was luckless. He was caught wide after jumping moderately and was forced to travel three deep the entire trip. With such a tough run in transit and not at full fitness, Seven Veil could have easily tailed off to be last. However, he fought on well and was strong through the line on the worst part of the track. He will take great improvement off that run and draws a lot softer in barrier 6. Second up look for Tom Sherry to get him more forward in the run, to sit just off the leading pair. With the rail out 7m, it will be hard to make long swooping runs from the rear of the field and this plays right into his hands. If he can peel off the leader's backs and find the A-ground, he will go almighty close at a huge price. A great 1x3 play in the middle of the card. Follow @LHovhanesian   Randwick Tip from Michael Gannon Back Mick's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Mick's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 5 #1 Eduardo $2.30 Classy galloper who continues to roll up his sleeves and fire every prep. His first up record reads 7:3-0-3 which is only surpassed by his wet track record of 12:8-1-2 with his only blemish coming over 1300m. He's a multiple Group 1 winner who is dominant over this course and trip. Besides Masked Crusader who doesn't look suited at this set-up, the rest of the field looks Group 3 and Listed grade quality. Granted he must come back as a 9YO and do it all again, but all reports are that he's going as good as ever. He's drawn perfectly in barrier 4, Malkovich draw 3 will lead, with Nash Rawiller likely to settle just off him and poised to strike. Put simply, if he delivers what he has at this set up before, he wins well. Follow @M_Gannon_

Fine weather returns for race day as punters rejoice. The track will improve to a Soft surface, rather than the Heavy ground we have become accustomed to. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.   Randwick Tip from Luke Hovhanesian Back Luke's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Luke's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 3 #1 Bazooka $4.00 It was an arrogant win last start when dropping back to Highway grade. He did get some favours with a hot tempo to suit, but the way he let down was full of merit. He has always been a horse with quality, contesting listed and group events as a youngster. And while that ship may have sailed he is now a 5YO, he can be a frequent winner at this level. Once again, he finds a midway with an abundance of on-pace runners who will ensure a solid tempo. From barrier 8, Jmac can use similar tactics to his last start effort and get him to a midfield position with cover. Once they swing the bend look for him to let down with a powerful turn of foot. With the rail out 3m, the track should play very evenly and give every runner their chance. His best career runs have come at Randwick, with the long straight giving him ample time to hit top gear. He does rise 3kg from his last start win, but judging by his opposition this weekend it looks unlikely to bother him. A great bet to kick off the card. Follow @LHovhanesian   Randwick Tip from Dean Watling Back Dean's HOT Bets! Now you can follow his tips without paying for them. Back his HOT Bets for Saturday's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 8 #10 Fangirl $8.00 Fangirl kicks off her Spring campaign in the G1 Winx stakes, a race her trainer Chris Waller has won five of the past seven.  This 4YO filly won first up in the Autumn on unsuited tracks. She has had two trials leading into this race which have been great. She savaged the line in both, extending away well past the post.  Bowman jumps off Forbidden Love to steer Fangirl from a nice gate. There is always plenty of speed in the first G1 of the spring, but she has the early muster to burn them off. She gets back on top of the ground, which is a big positive for Fangirl.   Open race but she presents value.  Follow @deanwatling   Randwick Tip from Michael Gannon Back Mick's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Mick's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 9 #7 In Secret $3.40 She was very impressive in her first preparation and looks ready to go on with it. Put simply, her two wins were soft and she handled her rivals with ease. This is a big step-up against some quality opposition, however the wraps on her indicate she is very talented. Her last start rating suggests that she’s the best galloper in the field and if she takes further improvement, she’ll be very hard to beat. Drawn barrier 5, with J Mac on, look for her to land midfield before flying at her rivals late Follow @M_Gannon_

All eyes will be on the weather with rain expected to hit Friday night. The track is currently a Soft 5 but will likely be hit with a downgrade prior to race 1. The rail is out 7m from the 1500m to the winning post, then out 3m for the remainder   Rosehill Tip from Michael Gannon Back Mick's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Mick's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Rosehill Race 6 #5 True Detective $8.00 Lands in a very winnable field, with a number of key factors in his favour. There is no doubting the likes of Mugatoo and Surefire are higher-quality gallopers, but they'll both be vulnerable first-up with a Spring campaign in mind. The same can be said for No Compromise, who was stretched out to the 3200m last prep. With the class runners resuming and only the one nominated leader in Titanium Power, the speed map looks like a dream for True Detective. He can sit off a solid tempo and have the first crack when they turn for home. He is rock-hard fit, can absorb the early pressure and is well in at the weights carrying only 52.5kg. His best runs have come on Good tracks, so the drier the better for him, which is what we'll get on Saturday. This race looks picture perfect for him to return to the winner's circle Follow @M_Gannon_   Rosehill Tip from Luke Hovhanesian Back Luke's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Luke's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Rosehill Race 2 #9 Manzoice $15.00 I was really impressed by this 3YO colt bred out of Almanzor on debut. He was caught on the fence three back and had to weave a passage through the field to get clear air. Once he did, he savaged the line to finish second. This was a much better run than the winner of that race, Major Beel, who lines up in this same event as a $7 elect. He now gets a 2kg weight swing on Major Beel as he plummets to 52kg and draws soft again in barrier 1. With fitness now on his side, look for jockey Kathy O'Hara to land just behind the leading division. From there if he can get a split turning for home, he can show his lightning turn of foot to give this race a real shake. If the expected rain hits, this poses no concerns. His impeccable breeding suggests the wetter the better, as his parents were both brilliant with the cut out of the ground. The $15 represents an insane price and a 1x3 bet is a super play to start the day. Follow @LHovhanesian   Rosehill Tip from Dean Watling Back Dean's HOT Bets! Now you can follow his tips without paying for them. Back his HOT Bets for Saturday's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Rosehill Race 8 #3 Spacewalk $5.00 Spacewalk returns to the races off 3 solid trials which shows intent from the Godolphin stable. He has the right 2YO form and looks to follow a similar path to last year's winner in Paulele. The latest trial against the older horses was sharp, travelling sweetly on the bridal where he looked ready to explode. He has had the synthetic hoof filler removed and gets to a drying track. The gate is perfect with James McDonald in the saddle. He has a nice turn of foot and with clear air will be in the finish. Good luck to those who took the $26 All-In. Follow @deanwatling

Fine weather finally returns for race day as punters rejoice. The track will improve to a Soft surface, rather than the ‘’bottomless’’ pit that saw Randwick canned last meeting. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.   Randwick Tip from Michael Gannon Back Mick's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Mick's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 10 #4 Rupertaar $20.00 This now 4YO mare has been racing much better than her form suggests. Two starts back at this same track she was caught deep for the entire trip. Even with the poor run in transit, she ran on respectively to finish 5th. Last week she went to Rosehill and was slowly away. She got shuffled back in the field and found zero room in the straight to make up ground. She is clearly peaking at home, as she is now backing up a week later in this BM78. Tyler Schiller takes the reins and is in brilliant form at the moment. He can have her in a midfield position from the soft draw, and have her ready to pounce. With the rail in the true position, those targetting the centre of the track should have the A-ground. Can see her starting much shorter come start time. A great each-way bet. Follow @M_Gannon_   Randwick Tip from Luke Hovhanesian Back Luke's HOT Bets! Now you can follow all of Luke's tips for Saturday without paying for them Back his HOT Bets for today's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 5 #1 Grace And Harmony $17.00 This 5YO mare has gone up a ridiculous price in this 1300m event. While she will be better suited over 1600m+, these middle-distance horses can often fire fresh with a sharp turn of foot. In comparison to her rivals in this event, she is the only one with genuine group race form lines. She is giving up a fitness edge, however she does have the class edge. Should she be close to peak fitness she can give this a real shake. It will pay big dividends to assess her in the yard and monitor what is said pre-race. First up last Spring she savaged the line from an unwinnable position at the rear of the field, in a much tougher race than this. For this weekend, there is genuine speed drawn wide and this will ensure a good tempo to the first bend. Grace And Harmony held a more forward position in her recent trial and I am hoping from the soft draw they push forward into the leading division again. Look for her to land midfield with cover and granted they can run on this weekend, she will storm home at a huge each-way price. Follow @LHovhanesian   Randwick Tip from Dean Watling Back Dean's HOT Bets! Now you can follow his tips without paying for them. Back his HOT Bets for Saturday's racing here! Enter stake > Place bets > Tips revealed   Randwick Race 4 #13 Conqueror $2.10 This impressive Chris Waller trained 3YO Churchill colt returns. Conqueror was put away and wrapped in cotton wool after a very impressive debut win. That race has stacked up impressively form-wise with 4 subsequent metro winners coming out of it with the likes of She’s Extreme, Alpha one and Seven Veils. He brings a great profile to a race like this, going off his spring nomination Waller has a big opinion of him. Two trials leading in, both have been smart. The latest over 740m caught my eye, he sat nice and close to the speed pulling jockey Hugh Bowman down the straight. He was given a touch of rein and picked up sweetly before extending away strongly past the line. Drawn perfect and gets in with 53kg, Pikes in great form too. He only needs to improve a length off his debut run, I think he has improved four. Follow @deanwatling