Four teams. Four qualifying rounds. Now just two remain.
King Zone and MacBet go head-to-head in the inaugural Spring All-Stars Grand Final on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at Flemington.
King is chasing his first grand final victory, while MacBet's Tom and Jake have travelled south determined to take home the title.
The boys go head-to-head over three feature races before revealing their early betting selections for Saturday's double-pot showdown.
Callander-Presnell — why so hard the one to beat?
MacBet are firmly in the Why So Hard camp following his outstanding finish behind Satono Glow in the Roman Consul Stakes.
Jake believes he's the most talented horse in the race, although the jump from 1200m to 1600m is a concern.
Tom agrees, questioning whether Central Europe can genuinely run a strong mile after a demanding preparation.
King isn't convinced Why So Hard represents value at $3.
He prefers Central Europe at $4.40, while Revengeance at $8 is his value runner, particularly stepping up to 1600m.
The Invitation — MacBet find some value
Tom and Jake are both keen on Gerringong, believing she maps beautifully after a tough, wide-running performance last start.
Jake also identifies Super Smink at around $40 as a massive outsider with a genuine chance if the track favours horses running on.
King believes Lazzura has the strongest ratings but faces a difficult assignment from her wide barrier.
His preferred bet is Perfumist at $8.50, expecting her to improve sharply back on a dry track and potentially lead throughout.
Cox Plate — three different opinions
The biggest race of the day has produced three completely different selections.
Tom — Sir Delius
Tom believes the Waterhouse and Bott-trained galloper has been prepared specifically for this race. He's prepared to forgive his two disappointing runs this preparation and expects him to peak on grand final day.
Jake — Ceolwulf
Jake loved his performance behind Autumn Glow last Saturday and believes a genuinely run 2000m will bring out his best. Any rain would only strengthen his confidence.
King — Aeliana
King is sticking with the Chris Waller-trained mare, declaring her ready to produce her best fourth-up.
James McDonald has ridden Aeliana five times for four wins and a second, and King believes her superior acceleration will prove decisive.
King is expecting around $5 and plans to bet strongly.
All three are wary of the brilliant three-year-old Warwoven, with the step from 1600m to a high-pressure 2000m presenting a major challenge.
MacBet's early Spring All-Stars set
Eagle Farm R10 — No. 14 All Kinds Of Folk
Tom's strongest early selection. A quick backup, 52kg and excellent last-start sectionals make this runner particularly appealing on a wet track.
Early support saw the price shorten from around $8 to $5–$6.
Randwick R9 — No. 12 Delucchi Boulevard
Jake loved her unlucky Epsom Handicap performance, where she was badly held up before charging through the line.
He expects a much better run in transit with Tommy Berry aboard.
Cox Plate — Sir Delius / Ceolwulf
Tom and Jake are divided on the feature, with both identifying genuine winning chances.
King Zone's early Spring All-Stars set
Flemington R8 — No. 10 Aeliana
King's Cox Plate selection. Fourth-up, James McDonald aboard and ready to unleash her best finish.
Flemington R6 — No. 12 Surfin' Bird
King loved her last-start Caulfield victory and believes she can control a relatively weak Group 2 contest.
MacBet agree she's hard to beat on a dry track, although they give roughie Sun God a chance if the rain arrives.
Randwick R6 — No. 1 Lindermann
Nash Rawiller should take him straight to the front. King believes the drop from 1900m to 1800m is ideal and rates the $2.40 an attractive price.
The grand final — winner takes all
MacBet dominated the opening qualifying round with 28.03% profit on turnover, while King Zone secured its grand final berth with 11.02% in Round 3.
Now the qualifying performances count for nothing.
Both teams will attack Cox Plate Day with their own betting strategies, looking to deliver the biggest return for their supporters.
Punters can join either team's pot — or both — through the Daily Punt Mates Mode Community on the Ladbrokes app.
Buy-in: $50 per pot
Mates Mode code: DAILYPUNT
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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