Welcome to Weekend Winners, your one-stop tipping sheet for Saturday's big meetings.
AURIE'S STAR TIP - SNITZSON (Flemington - Race 7 No. 6) – Juicy double-figure odds make Snitzson an each-way play in the Group III Aurie's Star. A lightly raced four-year-old – this is the horse that arguably should have won the Australian Guineas prior to going for a spell. Meets the winner Hey Doc 5kg better for that clash, won first-up last campaign, prefers the good going and is a winner here at Flemington. Looks enough speed up front to bring him into the race late. Knockout runner.
STAR BET – ARBEITSAM (Rosehill - Race 3 No. 7) – Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are going through a purple patch and Arbeitsam is one of their recent winning charges. Carved-up on pace but fought courageously when pipped around this trip by Vaucluse Bay two runs back then dropped back to 1400m and gave a handy line-up a spanking last time. Stretches back out to 1800m but the profile of this race is the opposite of two runs back. There is virtually no pressure with only Classic Uniform likely to offer any on-pace resistance. With 53kg on his back Arbeitsam should be off and gone before his rivals get warmed-up.
VALUE TIP – MR OPTIMISTIC (Flemington – Race 6 No. 16) – This a great value tip as we need to be optimistic just to get a run – he's the first emergency. But with healthy double-figures on offer he is worth an each-way ticket should he gain a start. Stiff not to win two runs back at Caulfield when flew home once clear behind Orient Line then closed off strongly when runner-up at Bendigo last time on unsuitably soft going. Gets back on to his preferred good ground, can drift back off the wide gate in what looks a genuinely run affair so with any luck in the straight – we are optimistic that Mr Optimistic can perform to his optimum.
BOY BAND TIP – WHAT'S THAT (Doomben Race 2 No. 8) – This horse's name sounds very much like a boy band from the 90's and being out of Haunting Rhythm it's highly likely that's where the name came from. But don't let some cheesy melody which gets stuck in your head for days distract you from getting set on this Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old. He's only relatively lightly raced and all three wins have come between 1700m and 2200m. This set weights Class 3 over 2040m affair will suit him right down to the ground coming off a dominant last start midweek win at Ipswich. The Chris Munce-trained Asalwas may be the new kid on the block, but sometimes the old stuff is just as good. We'll side with What's That.
THE STIFF DRINK TIP – TOM MELBOURNE (Rosehill Race 7 No. 4) – You couldn't possibly bet-up on that low thief Tom Melbourne…or could you? He has won four races in Australia, up to Listed level and was Group placed during the spring. A stable change has seen him turn up at Chris Waller's yard and judging by his trials – he's flying! A soft gate, good track and drop back to Open Handicap grade really does point towards a first-up push for the horse which punters love to hate. Go on, have something on him – but keep a stiff drink handy…just in case.
SLEEPOVER TIP – SLUMBER PARTY (Rosehill Race 8 No. 8) – Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have produced four winners from their past five runners – and the other one finished a close second. The stable is flying so we are jumping in bed with them and backing Slumber Party. This four-year-old mare was given no peace in front yet fought doggedly when edged out by Suspenders around the 1200m here last time. A 2.5kg weight swing in the favour of Slumber Party should be more than enough to reverse that result, but add to the mix the likelihood of a much softer run affair and this race could good night upon straightening.
ANY BEER IS GOOD BEER TIP – KIRONA (Morphetville Race 4 No. 9) – There are plenty of beers in the marketplace imitating that delicious Mexican lager best served with a wedge of fresh lime on a hot summer's day. We are talking about Corona for those that don't drink. There is Sol, Don Equis and Carta Blanca to name a few and now there is the racehorse pronounced Corona but spelled Kirona. We heard the name belted out recently when the Ryan Balfour-trained five-year-old thumped rivals first-up. She settled handily, quickened into the straight and went right on with it. If it's your shout heading into the fourth at Adelaide, have a few bucks on Kirona and this round will be on us.
