The major focus on any Saturday is metropolitan racing but there's plenty of us out there that don't mind a dabble at the support meetings across the country so here's our best bets.
On Saturday, we’ve come up with a tip at the Hawkesbury, Warracknabeal and Gold Coast meetings.
HAWKESBURY
MOSS TRIP (Race 7 No. 8) This Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly was excellent when winning at Kembla on debut before she gave away too much start at her next run in town behind the classy Super Ex. The slow start that day didn’t help her cause so the four-length beaten margin should have been less and that reads quite favourably for a benchmark 65 handicap at the provincials. She’s drawn to get a lovely run here from the gate and we’re banking on a clean getaway so she’s not too far off them and we think the 1400m is a trip she is looking for.
WARRACKNABEAL
PIQUE (Race 1 No. 10) Think we can kick off the day with a winner to build our bank for a big day’s punting. Pique had obviously shown the stable good ability as he was $7.50 into $4 on debut when failing on a heavy track at Terang where he was caught closer to the inside on a day where the swoopers out wide were best suited. Spelled straight away indicating he needed more time and he showed the benefit of that in a recent Burrumbeet jump out where he was put right on the pace and was given a strong hit out winning easily on a testing heavy nine track. Drawn for a soft run somewhere midfield or better in what’s not a deep race, he should make a winning return.
GOLD COAST
FELINO BEL (Race 6 No. 6) This Brian and Daniel Guy-trained three-year-old will relish this drop in grade come Saturday. In her first preparation, she was an easy maiden winner at Grafton before a solid third placegetter at Doomben in Saturday grade. Resumed from a break in late July and worked to the line in solid fashion to be beaten 2-3/4 lengths against Saturday metro opposition then in similar grade she didn’t have much luck at a vital stage before getting out and battling fairly to the line. That run was below expectations but it is the only disappointing performance she’s put in during her short career so happy to give her the benefit of doubt and she comes back to a class one on Saturday off a three-week break and has drawn well. She can bounce back.