Top bets from The Armchair Punter for Grand Final weekend

Stephen Brassel - Friday September 29

Great weekend for a bet and I'm bookending with a couple of Robert Smerdon-trained runners, one in the opener at the Valley on Friday night and the other in the last at Caulfield on Saturday.

Advertisement
I reckon this is an experiment I can get right at Moonee Valley Friday night.

EXPERIMENTATION (Moonee Valley, Friday night Race 1 No.7)
The form out of his debut performance, when beaten on the line at Seymour has been only moderate however at his second start this bloke led throughout and won with ease on the Pakenham synthetic when out to 1200m. Looks a nice type and obviously derived great benefit from his first-start experience. Drawn well and expecting he'll be either leading or sitting on the leader. Sure he's up in grade and has to take synthetic form to turf but I'm comfortable enough to have a decent bet to kick of a big weekend.
BET: WIN
ODDS: $4.20 @ Sportsbet ($4.80 Power Play)

SUPER TOO (Moonee Valley, Friday night Race 4 No.6)
She's only short in the market but I'm happy to take the odds and load up. Super Too is a flying machine and draws barrier one so watch her go! At Randwick last time out she led them a merry dance in breaking a seven-year track record clocking 55.72 seconds for the 1000m. She has also raced well in Melbourne previously, although that has been down the straight at Flemington but she's got so much natural speed I doubt they can catch her around the Valley and the 955m record could well be under siege.
BET: WIN
ODDS $3 @ Luxbet

IN HER TIME (Randwick, Race 6 No.10)
Top class mare who took her game to another level when last in training and her trials this time in would suggest she's ready to go to an even higher level again. Had her ears pricked, looking around when an easy trail winner at Rosehill recently and although she did beat nothing it's the manner in which she went about business which impressed me. Chautauqua is favourite but his Grand Final is a few weeks away yet and this mare is primed to go now with the eye on a possible inclusion in The Everest. Drawn the inside gate and she'll be there for a long way.
BET: WIN:
ODDS: $6 @ Centrebet

SNITZSON (Randwick, Race 7 No.13)
I'm having a wide throw here at a horse I've got a lot of time for and reckon, at the odds, we'll be getting a great run for our money. He's now had three runs back from a spell and is looking for the 1600m and with 50.5kg is not going to know himself. When last in work looked unlucky when third in the Australian Guineas at his only start at 1600m and has been racing like he wants that distance here. His Australian Guineas run was the sixth in that preparation and I reckon the further he gets into a preparation the better he gets. A worthy gamble.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS: $41 @ William Hill ($61 Price Pump)

ABILITY (Caulfield Sunday, Race 9 No.2)
The stable thought enough of him to pay up for Friday night's Moir Stakes at the Valley where he missed a run as an emergency but that's a good enough pointer for this. Since being gelded he's four-from-four and just looks better every time he goes around. Drawn the car park but he's going to get back anyway and there's sure to be plenty of speed on so look for Dwayne Dunn to wind him up late. Reckon we close off the massive weekend of the punt in a big way with a decent bet.
BET: WIN
ODDS: $5.50 @ Sportsbet ($6.50 Power Play), William Hill ($6.50 Price Pump), Ladbrokes ($6.50 Odds Boost)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.