Top bets from The Armchair Punter for Saturday

Stephen Brassel - Saturday September 16

I’m going to have an each-way throw at a couple of good priced runners at Flemington and I’m confident we’ll get a good sight but I’m even more excited about the future with them while keen on a couple at shorter odds at Randwick.

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This bloke says looking out, I'm gunning for you at Randwick.

METSON (Flemington Race 2 No 13)
While he only won a Cranbourne maiden this son of Canford Cliffs did the job in the manner of a horse going somewhere. The stable obviously think highly enough of him to have him entered for the Caulfield Guineas ($101 Luxbet) and I’m happy to have a play on him here despite being badly placed against some top quality gallopers as a 63-rater. Trainer Mike Moroney wouldn’t be taking on the big boys if he didn’t have the belief he could show something. He’ll go forward and expecting he’ll give a very cheeky sight.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS: $26 @ Centrebet

SINGLE BULLET (Randwick Race 3 No 1)  
Initial thoughts on this race was James Cummings had the event covered with Marsupial, Malahat and Viridine but the further I looked I couldn’t get away from the topweight. He has been considered good enough to contest Group races at his past four starts and won the Pago Pago at Group III level before failing in the Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce. Looks to have come back in rally good order getting home over Slipper winning stablemate She Will Reign in a Warwick Farm trial with Chautauqua 10 lengths away third then never of the leash when out the back in a subsequent trial. Drawn well and with the in-form Tye Angland in the saddle expecting he’ll be very hard to hold out.
BET: WIN
ODDS: $4.80 @ Centrebet

ODEON (Flemington Race 3 No 11)
I’ve always had a good wrap on this horse and he was outstanding last preparation winning three from his first four (certainty beaten the other run) then he failed to run out the distance when third in the 2500m South Australia Derby. Has had the benefit of a recent Flemington jump out when he was hard held throughout and looked to have plenty to offer. Drawn out wide and that’s normally the dead-knell from the Flemington 1400m but the rail is true and he’s better outside horses anyway. Well worth the gamble as we mightn’t get these odds again.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS: $26 @ Sportsbet ($36 Power Play)

CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (Randwick Race 5 No 2)
Closed off strongly in both her runs since resuming suggesting the 1400m will be ideal. Unfortunately she’s drawn an awkward gate again and will need to go back while her main rivals have fared better at the draw and will be in front of her but expecting enough tempo to see her chime in at the right time and prove too good.
BET: WIN
ODDS: $3.70 @ Centrebet

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