Daniel Pryors Around The Grounds for Newcastle & Sandown 14/11/26

With the punters' favourite week of the year now behind us, what an unbelievable spectacle we witnessed across the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.

Despite having to deal with some frustrating television camera angles that once again made following the races harder than it needed to be, the racing itself certainly delivered.

It wasn't a bad week on the tips and punt either, with 20 winners from the 37 races at Flemington across the four days.

Stakes Day rounded out the carnival on a high, with winners at $16, $18 and $19 helping finish the week strongly.

This Saturday, we head to Sandown Hillside for Zipping Classic Day, featuring the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes, while Newcastle provides another strong program of racing in New South Wales.

Before getting into this week's free tips, let's recap the highlights from the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

 

 

Daniel Pryor's Around the Grounds – Sandown & Newcastle Best Bets and Free Tips

Stakes Day Review – Three Group 1 Highlights

Last Saturday's Stakes Day featured three Group 1 races, with some outstanding performances across the Flemington program.

 

Champions Sprint – Point Barrow Delivers at Big Odds

The Group 1 Champions Sprint produced one of the biggest results of the day, with Point Barrow showing a brilliant burst of speed to claim victory at big odds.

Mark Zahra produced a perfectly timed ride, finding a way through the pack before unleashing the mare's finishing sprint.

It was a terrific result for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, drawing first blood in the day's Group 1 contests.

The victory was Point Barrow's first at Group 1 level, and what a way to achieve it against such quality opposition.

Both Plaintiff and Skybird ran out of their skins to finish second and third, with Headwall not far away in fourth.

Hot favourite Tempted and second favourite Joliestar had to settle for fifth and sixth respectively.

Point Barrow's victory was one of the major highlights of the day and a fantastic result for punters who found her at double-figure odds.

 

 

Champions Mile – Autumn Glow Makes It 15 From 16

Autumn Glow continued her remarkable run of form with another victory in the Group 1 Champions Mile.

The win took her career record to an extraordinary 15 victories from 16 starts.

It was also her first time racing outside New South Wales and in the anti-clockwise direction, but neither factor caused her any trouble.

She completed the job in comfortable enough fashion, once again demonstrating her class.

Lindermann and Buckaroo filled the minor placings, while Tom Kitten finished fourth, five lengths behind the winner.

Autumn Glow continues to build an outstanding record, and it will be fascinating to see just how far she can take it.

She was also one of my free tips on the day, getting the job done at $1.20.

 

 

Champions Stakes – Birdman Reverses the Cox Plate Result

The Group 1 Champions Stakes produced a fascinating contest, with Chris Waller's Birdman turning the tables on Cosmic Crusader.

After finishing behind Cosmic Crusader in the Cox Plate, Birdman reversed that result at Flemington to claim the Group 1.

Cosmic Crusader had to settle for second this time, while Sir Delius produced a much-improved performance to finish third.

It was encouraging to see Sir Delius back on track after his previous run.

Quality mare Aeliana rounded out the first four, completing a strong finish to the day's Group 1 racing.

 

 

Zipping Classic Day Returns to Sandown

This Saturday, we head to Sandown for Zipping Classic Day, with the Group 2 Zipping Classic returning to the venue for the first time since the 2020/21 season, when Sound won the first of his two Zipping Classics.

This year's race has attracted a very good field, including runners backing up from their Melbourne Cup performances.

It's great to see the race back at Sandown, where the legendary Zipping famously won four Sandown Cups.

What a warhorse he was, and a genuine fan favourite.

 

Daniel Pryor's Saturday Free Tips – Sandown Hillside

Sandown Race 1 – #11 Ichnusa ($3.00)

Ichnusa settled a long way back at Flemington last start and could have finished considerably closer with a more favourable run.

There was plenty to like about the way he finished off his race, and I'm expecting another strong closing effort on Saturday.

If he can settle close enough to the leaders, he should be right amongst those fighting out the finish.

Daniel's Verdict: Better than the result suggested at Flemington and capable of finishing much closer. Strong winning chance at $3.

 

Sandown Race 1 – #6 Federer ($7.50)

Federer comes through the same race as my top selection, Ichnusa, and is another runner worth considering.

He has the bloodlines to suggest he can find his way back into the winner's circle, and there's a strong jockey booking for Saturday's assignment.

At the bigger price, I wouldn't be dismissing his chances.

Daniel's Verdict: Comes through the same race as Ichnusa, has the breeding to be competitive and gets a strong jockey booking. Can't dismiss at $7.50.

 

Sandown Race 5 – #4 Harry Lime ($7.00)

Harry Lime has already won twice during his current preparation and continues to race in solid form.

His latest effort was encouraging, working strongly through the line behind what looks a nice type in Ranarsson.

The rise to 1600m looks ideal, and he should be capable of producing another competitive performance.

With two wins already this campaign and the mile looking suitable, he should be right in the mix.

Daniel's Verdict: Two wins this preparation and worked home well behind Ranarsson. The 1600m looks ideal. Strong chance at $7.

 

Sandown Race 5 – #2 Star of Macedon ($5.75)

Star of Macedon returns to the mile, which looks his preferred distance.

He should appreciate getting back to 1600m, particularly if the race is run at a faster tempo.

That setup should allow him to settle into his rhythm before producing a strong finishing effort.

Daniel's Verdict: Back to the mile, which looks his sweet spot. A faster tempo should give him the opportunity to finish strongly. Worth considering at $5.75.

 

Sandown Race 6 – #1 Oak Hill ($7.00)

Oak Hill didn't perform to his best when resuming, but I'm prepared to give him another opportunity here.

He's previously won at Sandown, which is an advantage heading into Saturday.

The key will be settling close enough to the leaders to unleash his finishing sprint.

If he's within striking distance turning for home, he has the ability to sprint over the top late.

My assessed price is very similar to the current market quote of $7.

Daniel's Verdict: Forgiving the first-up run. Previous Sandown winner who can finish strongly if close enough. Fairly priced around $7.

 

Sandown Race 6 – #3 Don't Hope Do ($5.50)

Don't Hope Do has been racing in solid enough form to be competitive in this assignment.

He still needs to prove himself with a win at this level, but his recent performances suggest he belongs among the leading contenders.

My market has him at a similar price to the current $5.50 quote.

Daniel's Verdict: Racing consistently and should be amongst the main chances. Needs a win in this class, but $5.50 is close to my assessed price.

 

Sandown Hillside Free Tips Summary

 

Daniel Pryor's Saturday Free Tips – Newcastle

Newcastle Race 1 – #11 Stellar Ami ($2.25)

Stellar Ami is a nicely bred type who caught the eye with an impressive trial victory.

There was plenty to like about the way she went about her work, and she looks ready to make a strong impression on debut.

The wide barrier over the short course is a concern, but her trial performance suggests she has the ability to overcome it.

I've assessed her winning chance at $2.20, which is very close to the available $2.25.

Daniel's Verdict: Impressive trial winner with plenty of ability. Wide draw is the query, but still a very good chance. My market price is $2.20.

 

Newcastle Race 1 – #2 Choice Temptation ($11.00)

Choice Temptation is another well-bred debutant who looks to have some ability.

He couldn't match the winner of his trial but held his own and still shaped as a promising type going forward.

He'll need to find enough improvement to overturn that trial result, but there's some appeal at the bigger price.

Daniel's Verdict: Well-bred debutant who held his own in his trial. Looks a promising type and could offer value at $11 if capable of improving on that performance.

 

Newcastle Race 4 – #10 Cabbuccio ($3.60)

Cabbuccio finished a length away in second as favourite last start and should be competitive again.

He looks capable of figuring prominently and should be working home strongly through the final stages.

There's already been significant early market support, with his price shortening from an opening quote of $6.50 to $3.60.

My assessed price was $6, which was much closer to the opening market than the current quote.

He remains a genuine chance, although the value available earlier has largely disappeared.

Daniel's Verdict: Runner-up as favourite last start and should be competitive again. Opened $6.50 and has shortened to $3.60. My market price is $6.

 

Newcastle Race 9 – #5 Zuleika ($6.50)

Zuleika produced a fair performance in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington and looks capable of bouncing back here.

The handicap weight scale has her well placed for this assignment, which is a significant positive.

She's coming through strong company and should appreciate the conditions of this race.

My assessed price is $4.80, making the available $6.50 an appealing betting opportunity.

Daniel's Verdict: Fair run in the Group 2 Matriarch and well placed under the handicap weights. Can bounce back. My market price is $4.80 against the available $6.50.

 

Newcastle Free Tips Summary

 

Melbourne Cup Carnival – Stakes Day Winners & Dividends

Stakes Day was a great way to round out the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with five winners helping take the tally to 20 winners from 37 races across the four days.

The final day featured some excellent results at big odds, including Watchmewin, Point Barrow and Lawborough.

Five winners on Stakes Day was a terrific finish to the carnival, especially with the three double-figure winners providing some excellent returns.

 

Daniel Pryor's Melbourne Cup Carnival Results

 

Get Daniel Pryor's Saturday Racing Tips

With the Melbourne Cup Carnival now behind us, the focus turns to Sandown Hillside and Newcastle for another big Saturday of racing.

Hopefully we can keep the winners coming and find a few more runners at value odds.

You can follow my free tips above or grab one of my subscriber packages for the full Saturday selections.

Good Luck and Giddyup Punters!

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.