The spring carnival reaches its final major Saturday at Flemington, and King Zone and Fizzer are back for one last edition of The Saturday Set.
It's Champions Day, with three outstanding Group 1 races on the program: the Champions Sprint, Champions Mile and Champions Stakes.
The boys have plenty to discuss following a remarkable Melbourne Cup week, including King's successful Call of the Card bets and Point Of Law's Melbourne Cup victory.
But first, there's another big Saturday to attack, with King delivering three official selections and Fizzer going out with six.
Champions Sprint — can Tempted be beaten?
Tempted heads the market around $1.80 following her outstanding Everest victory, but King believes there are reasons to oppose her at such short odds.
The Godolphin filly has the best ratings in the race, although this will be her first attempt down the Flemington straight and her second race outside New South Wales.
King believes those are genuine negatives, particularly against proven straight-track performers.
Fizzer agrees that Tempted is the horse to beat but isn't prepared to take $1.80 with those uncertainties.
King prefers Joliestar at $4.60
King believes Joliestar represents better value around $4.60.
She finished an excellent third in The Everest and returns to a track where she won the 2025 Newmarket Handicap, defeating Headwall.
Third-up and with James McDonald aboard, King expects another strong performance.
He also identifies Caballus at $14 as an attractive outsider.
Caballus was unlucky in The Everest, finishing only two and a half lengths from the winner, before producing another strong performance in the Russell Balding Stakes.
The return to 1200m at Flemington looks ideal, and King believes the Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter is capable of running a big race.
King's value runners: Joliestar ($4.60) and Caballus ($14).
Neither King nor Fizzer is keen to back Tempted at the early price, although both acknowledge she will be difficult to beat.
Champions Mile — Autumn Glow looks unstoppable
The superstar Autumn Glow dominates the Champions Mile market at around $1.22.
King struggles to find a realistic way she gets beaten.
Her main challenge is racing outside Sydney for the first time, but King believes her versatility and favourable barrier make her extremely difficult to oppose.
With Lindermann expected to lead, Autumn Glow should be able to settle close to the speed and use her outstanding acceleration when James McDonald asks for an effort.
Fizzer agrees, declaring her clearly the horse to beat.
Finding the quinella
King believes there are several opportunities for punters looking beyond the favourite.
He likes Lindermann's ability to control the tempo and also gives Buckaroo a chance to run into the placings.
At much bigger odds, King identifies Within The Law at $51 as a possible placegetter after an unlucky previous run.
Fizzer takes a different approach, rating Tom Kitten the clear second pick ahead of Another Wil.
Both agree Autumn Glow is the standout, with the real betting interest likely to be in the quinellas and minor placings.
Champions Stakes — Cox Plate rematch at Flemington
The Champions Stakes brings together several of the leading runners from the Cox Plate, including Cosmic Crusader, Aeliana and Birdman.
King believes the change in barriers could significantly alter the result.
In the Cox Plate, Cosmic Crusader enjoyed an ideal run behind Aeliana before producing a powerful finish to win.
This time, Cosmic Crusader has drawn barrier 11, while Aeliana jumps from barrier four.
King expects James McDonald to position Aeliana much closer to the speed, potentially reversing the tactical advantage Cosmic Crusader enjoyed in the Cox Plate.
King questions the favourite's price
Cosmic Crusader was around $10 in the Cox Plate but is now being offered at approximately $3.20.
King believes that's too short, particularly from the wide barrier.
He also considers Aeliana under the odds around $2.90.
Instead, King sees value in Birdman at $5.50.
Birdman was beaten less than a length in the Cox Plate and has been racing consistently against the best middle-distance horses in the country.
King believes he represents a better betting proposition than the two favourites.
He also refuses to completely dismiss Sir Delius, although he wants a much bigger price than the early $7 available.
Fizzer sticks with Cosmic Crusader
Fizzer rates Cosmic Crusader his top selection, pointing to the horse's repeated ability to defeat high-quality opposition.
He believes the Cox Plate form will dominate the finish again, with Cosmic Crusader, Aeliana and Birdman the leading chances.
However, he isn't particularly keen to bet in the race, believing the market has the main contenders reasonably well covered.
Both boys agree the Flemington track pattern will be important, particularly for Cosmic Crusader from his wide draw.
King's Saturday Set
BetBunkerKing believes Kalmana is ready to peak third-up after two unlucky runs this preparation. The step to 1400m looks ideal, and King considers the early $5.50 excellent value.
BetBunkerUnsuitable slow tempo last start, but King expects a much stronger pace this time. He believes Southern Ales can settle just behind the leaders and produce a winning sprint. King rates anything above $2 attractive.
BetBunkerKing believes Easy Cove is well over the odds. The horse was unsuited last start, and the booking of Ryan Maloney is another positive. King rates anything above $2.80 a good price.
Fizzer's Saturday Set
Fizzer is finishing the spring with six selections across Ascot, Brisbane and Morphettville.
BetBunkerFizzer believes Masmelo was unlucky first-up and is capable of improving sharply. He has some reservations about the jockey booking but still considers the horse a good chance.
BetBunkerFizzer loved the horse's recent trial and believes the decision to scratch him from a previous engagement could work in his favour. He expects a strong performance.
BetBunkerDrops back from 1400m to 1200m after racing wide last start. Fizzer believes the shorter distance is ideal after Hurricane Harley weakened only in the final 100m of his previous run.
BetBunkerFizzer is prepared to forgive the horse's previous run on a heavy track, where he was forced to settle back and couldn't make up sufficient ground. A better draw should allow him to race closer, and Fizzer believes he's hard to beat.
BetBunkerFizzer tipped Highgrove Rose on Melbourne Cup Day before the race was abandoned due to storms. He is sticking with the selection, believing the horse has trialled well enough to be competitive over 1300m.
BetBunkerFizzer believes Virtual Illusion should have won last start after encountering traffic problems. With Jake Toeroek aboard, he expects a much better opportunity to finish off strongly.
Melbourne Cup — King celebrates a big result
King enjoyed a memorable Melbourne Cup, backing Point Of Law to win after securing $8.50 at the Call of the Card.
He also backed Hopewell Rock at $10 and described the enormous fluctuations and betting activity throughout the event.
King says the Call of the Card has grown significantly in recent years, with major international punters helping turn it into one of Australia's great wagering occasions.
Among the biggest bets discussed was a reported $1 million wager on Hopewell Rock by JP McManus.
The boys also praised the live stream, which allowed racing fans around the country to follow the betting action.
King would love to see similar events developed around major Sydney races, including the Golden Slipper, Doncaster and Everest.
A magnificent Melbourne Cup carnival
The boys were full of praise for Flemington following Tuesday's Melbourne Cup meeting, which attracted a crowd approaching 100,000.
King described the atmosphere as a reminder of the strength of Australian racing, with enormous crowds, outstanding racing and a major entertainment program.
Both believe the racing industry has an excellent product, particularly during the spring carnival.
The Saturday Set signs off for spring
Champions Day marks the final regular Saturday Set of the spring season.
The boys will take a short break before returning for Magic Millions Day, with more racing coverage to follow in the autumn.
King, Fizzer and RI thank everyone who has watched and supported the show throughout the carnival.
Good luck on Champions Day!
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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