Top bets from Ben Dorries for Saturday

Ben Dorries - Saturday September 16

I’ve always had a sweet tooth and a liking for bonbons and I’ll be buying a few packs of the good stuff when So Si Bon gets the chocolates at Flemington.

Advertisement
Ben Dorries is all about the Bonbons at Flemington on Saturday

SO SI BON (Flemington Race 4 No 9)
Robbie Laing reckons So Si Bon might be able to win the Caulfield Cup – so what am earth am I doing backing him in a 1200m sprint? Well, he has been low-flying in his two efforts since resuming and he smashed the clock with his final sectionals last time at Caulfield. He will thrive on the expansive Flemington track and gets in on the minimum with just 53kg. For all his talent he has only ever won a Pakenham maiden but will be flying home here. If he turns in a run anything like his last effort, when the weights were against him, he is the one I want to be on.
BET: WIN
ODDS $8 @ Bet365

AHNDRAS (Doomben Race 8 No 14)
Steps up from three-year-old company to an open class handicap but I’m confident as she’s simply bursting to win and there’s no stars here. Chased home the promising Rancho Montoya last time and only narrowly went down to a horse that at times was being mooted as a Caulfield Guineas contender. Toby Edmonds was at one stage keen to test Ahndras as an Oaks filly last season, but he pulled the pin on that plan after a failure at Doomben over 2030m. Favourite Dreams Aplenty should get an easy enough lead but the final few strides could be a worry for him, while Ahndras will be as strong as an ox late.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $7 @ Crownbet

HARDHAM (Flemington Race 9 No 7)
Been following this tough galloper for a while and that paid dividends when he won the Group II Alister Clark Stakes at double figure odds in the autumn. Also ran a bold third in the Australian Derby so you know he’s got plenty of class and staying ability. Performed well enough when resuming over 1400m at Caulfield and he was just warming up at the end. Goes up an extra 300m here which is ideal. Takes a while to wind him up but Luke Nolen knows his well and I reckon he’s an each-way bet to nothing.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $7.50 @ Crownbet, Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Luxbet

Advertisment
More Reading...
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.