Derby Day at Flemington. Four Group 1 races, a massive day of racing and one of the great afternoons on the Australian punting calendar.
King is coming off a big Cox Plate Day and is full of confidence, while Fizzer is ready to attack another outstanding Saturday.
The boys tackle the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Victoria Derby and Empire Rose at Flemington before heading to Randwick for the Russell Balding Stakes and Golden Eagle.
Coolmore Stud Stakes — Golden Rose form the key
The unbeaten-in-his-last-three Next Episode is among the favourites at around $3.80, but King has concerns about his lack of exposed form on a dry track.
Fizzer gives him a strong chance, particularly stepping up to 1200m, but rates St. Gotthard his top selection.
King agrees the Golden Rose is the key form race and believes St. Gotthard, with blinkers going on and James McDonald aboard, is ready to produce his best.
King also sees value in two outsiders:
Paradoxium at $16 — Expected to lead and capable of giving a big sight.
Under Focus at $18 — Another coming through the strong Golden Rose form.
Both boys are wary of the early speed, particularly with Natural Fling and Pembrey likely to press forward.
Victoria Derby — King goes looking for value
The 2500m Victoria Derby looks an open affair, with King keen to oppose favourite Cormier at around $4.60.
His preferred selection is Stormy Marco, believing the Chris Waller-trained runner will appreciate Flemington's long straight and a genuinely run staying contest.
King also identifies value among the runners coming through the Geelong Classic, including Murshidi, King Snitz, Icy You and True Tone.
Fizzer has Cormier narrowly on top of his ratings but admits there is very little separating the leading chances.
He gives Stormy Marco a chance, although he has concerns about the horse's finish in the Spring Champion Stakes.
Both agree it's a difficult race, with plenty of runners facing the 2500m trip for the first time.
Empire Rose — King finds a $6.50 bet
King is particularly keen on Concord Connie at $6.50.
The lightly raced mare has had little luck in her two runs this preparation, and King believes the step to 1600m at Flemington is exactly what she needs.
He makes Concord Connie an official Saturday Set selection and also likes her as a place bet at $2 or better.
King also believes Lady Shenandoah is a major danger and likes the quinella between the two mares.
Fizzer is firmly in the Lady Shenandoah camp, believing James McDonald can give her the perfect run behind a strong tempo.
He respects last week's winner Surfin' Bird, but believes the rise in class and additional pressure will make things tougher.
Russell Balding Stakes — Ninja the horse to beat
Both King and Fizzer are keen on Ninja following his Everest performance.
Fizzer believes the 1300m and expected strong tempo are ideal, while questioning whether Headwall can finish off strongly over the extra distance.
King agrees, believing Ninja's toughness makes him a genuine winning chance.
He is also backing Hedley Grange at around $10, prepared to forgive his previous run.
Jimmy Star is respected by both, although his wide barrier presents a challenge.
Golden Eagle — can Sheza Alibi be beaten?
Fizzer is confident Sheza Alibi can deliver in the $10 million Golden Eagle.
He believes her demanding last-start run over 2000m will have brought her to peak fitness, and he is happy to back her around $1.80–$1.95.
King agrees she is the horse to beat but believes Beiwacht at $7 represents better value.
He expects Beiwacht to be particularly dangerous if Randwick favours horses racing on the speed.
King's Saturday Set
BetBunkerKing's strongest Empire Rose opinion. Lightly raced, unlucky this preparation and expected to relish the Flemington mile.
BetBunkerKing is very keen. Loves some give in the ground and can improve sharply after racing on the wrong part of the track last start.
BetBunkerFit, dropping in grade and with Noel Callow taking the ride. King expects a strong performance.
Fizzer's Saturday Set
BetBunkerExcellent first-up performance and a race setup Fizzer believes is ideal.
BetBunkerFirst-up from barrier one. Fizzer likes the setup and believes the horse is ready to run well.
BetBunkerShort in the market but expected to be hard to beat following an impressive trial victory.
BetBunkerFizzer likes this first-up runner following an encouraging trial, although he notes concerns about the wide draw and lack of a confirmed jockey.
BetBunkerFizzer's Golden Eagle selection. He believes she's well placed and represents a good bet despite the short price.
Spring All-Stars — King Zone takes the title
King Zone delivered a dominant performance in the inaugural Spring All-Stars Grand Final on Cox Plate Day.
Five of the team's six betting pots returned a profit, with the remaining pot returning around half its starting bank.
MacBet also finished in profit, capping off an entertaining spring competition.
The boys are already looking ahead to a possible autumn return.
Cup Week is coming
The Daily Punt team will be delivering more Melbourne Cup previews, professional tips and racing insights through the Cup Hub on the Bet Bunker app.
A dedicated Melbourne Cup edition of The Saturday Set is also on the way.
For now, it's all about Derby Day. Good luck and enjoy one of the great days of the racing year!
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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