Racing selections for Saturday, 22 February

Now we’re talking. The big guns are beginning to come back in Sydney, and we have three Group 1 races in Melbourne to get into.

There are still a couple of non-bet contests at Rosehill, but hopefully there’s enough here to keep my slender profit alive.

Running total
Units bet: 52

Units won: 56.30

Total: +4.3 (based on one unit win bet on each top selection, NSW dividends)

Sydney selections – Rosehill

Race 2 – 1 Mr Wong
Mr Wong won a Highway earlier this year with a leg in the air and he has a bit on these. A Lot To Hoffa did well to run second at a big price when I tipped her last time, while Two Big Fari is the lightly raced improver.

Race 5 – 5 Inanup
With two wins and a 2nd in four starts this time in, Inanup has shown a new consistency. I’m hoping the run continues up in class at his gun trip. Risks everywhere, with the money train coming for Black Magnum, a midweek winner first-up.

Race 6 – 9 Fun Fact
Sticking with Fun Fact who gave them a licking last time and rises to a good class now but is the fit runner. Etana rates highly and I’m interested in the Cups runners returning at a shorter trip.

Race 7 – 2 Microphone
Had to do the numbers twice for this race – Microphone rated well on top both times (no error). His win second-up was excellent, stays at 1400 and drops 3kg to set weights. Yes, please.

Race 8 – 8 Ken’s Dream
I know he hasn’t won for just under two years, but if it’s ever going to happen, surely – surely – it’s here. He drops 8.5 kilos from his second last time against a heap of horses returning from spells wanted more distance.

Cradle Mountain is th other fit horse, Djukon is having his first Australian run and might be very good (second in German St Leger).

Race 9 – 9 Asiago
I’m sticking with the same race and number theme, going with Asiago in the last. Rose through the grades last prep. Bottega rates highly as well, Subpoenaed was excellent last time and Oriental Runner will be in the quaddie.

(AAP Image/George Salpigtidis)

Melbourne selections – Caulfield

Race 6 – 8 Super Seth
A tricky one here, but I have landed on Super Seth thinking he may have a slight fitness edge. Kolding and Melody Belle are superstars, Kolding pulls my pants down a lot, he wants a mile, and then the Belle May just not be sharp enough first-up against the other two. Good contest.

Race 7 – 2 Hanseatic
Yes, he’s short enough, but that Prelude replay just stays with me. I have to be on Hanseatic, looks a ripper and will love the 1200 and extra pace on offer. This is my first two-year-old bet of the year and while I’m confident, they are two-year-olds.

Race 8 – 16 Anaheed
I’m keen on Anaheed, she’s too sharp first-up and gets weight relief at the same track and trip. The gate worries me a bit, but optimistically I see her three-wide with cover at worst and going on with it. Bold Star rates well again, Faatinah is value and 6/8 first-up, Halvorsen is next-best.

Race 9 – 4 Kings Will Dream
Kings Will Dream was great first-up and gets to a more suitable distance this time. He rates clearly ahead of Harlem (known to pop-up at a price) and Miss Siska (career-best last start).

Good luck everyone, enjoy the great racing.