Gibbo steps away from Queensland to find a couple of value plays across the big Saturday meetings at Rosehill and Flemington.
Rosehill Race 3 – #6 SOUTHEND ($15/$3.60)
Rain is the big query for most of these, but SOUTHEND profiles as a horse who can make his presence felt late. He has always needed a bit of riding to get going, settling back in his races, but each time he has hit the line strongly. His debut win was outstanding, albeit at provincial level rather than against the deeper form lines of some of these. The key will be the start. If he can use the gate to land ahead of a few and not be dragged back to last, he looks a generous price, especially if he handles the conditions.
Get Dean Watling’s preview of Rosehill here
Get Matt Welsh’s preview of Flemington here
Flemington Race 8 – #7 MARK TWAIN e/w ($27/$5.50)
BIRDMAN is clearly the horse to beat, but MARK TWAIN looks a genuine each-way play at the price. Now with a new stable this preparation, he showed plenty in a recent trial before his fresh run, where he finished runner-up to Birdman and recorded the best last 600m and 200m of the race. He has since had another solid trial and appears to be going as well as ever. On what he has shown this prep, the market looks to have missed him.
WATCH: Birdman win the Blamey stakes with a fast finishing Mark Twain in behind.
