Saturday Racing Tips Gold Coast 13/01/24

Three selections on the Gold Coast card on Saturday afternoon include a $17.00 Roughie in the day's final race.

The Magic Millions meeting is the top meeting of the year at Gold Coast, with those who buy from the yearling sales having the next year ringed in the calendar in the hope of coming back with their two-year-olds. The horse racing bookmakers price up some super races for Saturday's meeting, with 11 races to enjoy. 

(Note: Odds provided by PlayUp)

Selections:
#3 Zennzella (BEST BET) - $3.90
#6 So United - $6.50
#1 Sky Lab - $6.50
#8 Unanimous - $20.00

BEST BET - #3 Zennzella
It has been a while since she ran over a distance as long as this, but the return to the trip should suit her. At the back end of 2022, she won the Group 2 Wakeful on a Soft 7 surface at Flemington over 2000m - perhaps her stamina just gave out late on in her next start in the VRC Oaks over 2500m. She has not raced over more than 1700m since, winning over that distance at Caulfield last time. This will also be the softest ground she has run on since that Group 2 win, so the return to the trip and the ground could unlock her best performance since. 

THE DANGER - #6 So United
Strong through the line over 1800m at Randwick on his last start, that on a Soft 5 surface. He could do with the track improving a bit so that it is not too slow for him, but that bare form would give him a strong chance. He has yet to run over a distance as far as this, but that most recent run makes it look like he might improve for it. If that is the case, he will be a hard horse to keep out of the frame.

VALUE BET  - #1 Sky Lab
He has a huge impost of 60.5kg to carry, but he is a long way ahead of these on the official ratings, so he deserves the weight. He won this race 12 months ago, so there has to be a strong chance that he has been set up, especially for another try at this race. It was an impressive win from the back, even more so as he cast a hind plate during the race. He is remarkably adaptable, starting this prep in August over 1200m when less than three lengths behind Buenos Noches. Looks a likely type to hit the frame again.

Selections:
#2 Far Too Easy (NEXT BEST) - $4.80
#5 Zarastro - $5.00
#3 Loch Eagle - $7.50
#1 Tamerlane - $8.00

BEST BET - #2 Far Too Easy
He has a wide barrier to overcome, which makes the price what it is. In five runs when the ground is soft, he has four wins, a second with a first, and a second in three starts when he has run in Listed company. He has finished first or second in 12 of his 19 career starts, a hard horse to keep out of the frame in any company. A hold-up performer, the wide barrier might not be quite such an issue for him as he'll be moved across behind the field. A strong pace to chase can see this open up perfectly for him late on. 

THE DANGER - #5 Zarastro
Another who has a wider-than-ideal barrier to work from. He will go the opposite way to the selection, heading forward from the gates to try and get to the lead. Wins in five of his last six races have seen him get here in the best shape of his life. He goes on any ground and has two wins and a second in the four times he has raced in a Listed race. If he does not have to work too hard to get across and onto the lead, he will be very hard to keep out of the frame.

VALUE BET  - #3 Loch Eagle
This is an easier race than he usually runs in, successful in a Group 2 last time out. That was at Randwick from a wide draw, but it came over 1600m, which is a more suitable distance for him. He has a couple of wins over this 1400m trip, but he has had 11 attempts to clock up those successes, so he will need this to turn into as much of a test of stamina as possible. That will involve the need for a strong pace and the ground not to dry out too much, but he needs plenty of respect.

Selections:
#3 Lady Laguna - $2.60
#1 Royal Merchant - $4.80
#14 Maid To Fit (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY)  - $17.00
#13 Junqueira - $4.80

BEST BET - #3 Lady Laguna
Super mare for the Annabel Neasham stable, she was a Listed winner at Doomben last time out over 1200m. That was on Soft 6 ground, so she will have no problem with these conditions, although the extra 100m of this race will ask a question of her. She races over this far for the first time in her career on her 21st start. It is fair to expect she will have the stamina for the small step up in trip, but it is not guaranteed.

THE DANGER - #1 Royal Merchant
She found 1400m just stretched her in races at Randwick and Rosehill in October and November, but both came in strong group races. This is slightly lesser company and a small step back in distance, both of which are positives for her. She won over 1200m last time out at Wyong on good ground but has two wins in three starts when she has run on soft ground, which suggests that she will be a big player here. 

VALUE BET  - #14 Maid To Fit
This is more difficult than the races she has been competitive in of late, but after ten starts, she is far from exposed and should still have a little better to come. She was a winner on a Heavy 8 surface at Doomben three starts back, so she will have no issues with these conditions and was third over this course and distance last time out. That was on a Good 4, so she is adaptable, and she won't mind getting a little wetter ground underfoot again. She likes to track the speed, so she has an excellent barrier to attack from in five and can make the frame in a fantastic race. 

Are you looking to place a bet this Saturday? Check out our best betting sites in Australia to discover the best bookmakers to enjoy a bet with our expert tips, with simple sign-ups for each site on offer.

Playup is our top bookmaker for our horse racing tips this week. They regularly provide some of the top fixed odds prices on the open market across all meetings. Odds are provided for almost all Australian horse racing, with many racing promotions for you to enjoy when you have signed up for them. Although they are one of the newer Australian bookmakers, they have quickly gained a great reputation by offering an excellent betting experience. Their slick and well-designed website makes them a great place to bet on our Australian horse racing tips. 

Join us each Saturday for the best expert bets on Australian horse racing. Every week we will preview one of the big Saturday cards to provide you with the best tips, including a best bet, a next bet and a roughie of the day for those who enjoy a long shot.

We will also have news articles each week with need-to-know info. We will tell you about any bonuses and promotions you can take advantage of with your betting and get our multi-tips and jockeys to follow.

If you need more help or explanations on anything horse racing related, check out our horse racing betting sites page, where you can find bet types, strategies and FAQs, amongst other helpful information.
   

There are few better jockeys anywhere in the world than J-Mac, and he can show exactly why on Saturday at Gold Coast. According to the betting sites, he has a solid book of rides on the day with several strong chances that his fans will be hoping to see salute at Surfers Paradise.

R3 - #2 - Barracuda - $3.60
R5 - #2 - Warning - $13.00
R6 - #6 - Baroque Road - $12.00
R7 - #3 - King Of Sparta - $1.80
R8 - #2 - Spywire - $6.00
R9 - #2 - Chrysaor - $5.00
R10 - #7 - Revolutionary Miss - $5.50
R11 - #3 - Lady Laguna - $2.60

As with most tracks, there is a slight inside bias, but most of the trips have a reasonable enough run to the bend so that those in the outside barriers have time to find a position. It is an outstanding card on Saturday where our selections have plenty of class about them. 

R5 - #3 - Zennzella - PLC $1.75
R10 - #2 - Far Too Easy - PLC $1.95
R11 - #14 - Maid To Fit - PLC $4.80

Total Odds = $16.38
$50 Stake = $819.00 Return!

Odds are provided by PlayUp, sign up for a new account here to get started.

There are a lot of exotic tips to enjoy in horse racing. If you don’t know how they work or need to brush up on your knowledge of them, check out our information page.

Gold Coast Racecourse Trifecta Tip (R10)

1st: 1, 2, 3, 5
2nd: 1, 2, 3, 5
3rd: 1, 2, 3, 5
$50 stake = 208% Flexi