On the eve of Spring and just weeks away from the 2023 Victorian Spring Carnival commencing, racing expert Brendan Bunworth is keen to share his early Spring Carnival BlackBookers for the months ahead.
The main races he’s focusing on are the traditional ones, including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Victorian Derby, and Sandown Classic, however with the extended carnival, one has to now keep an eye on the other Group races, many of which are becoming as equally popular as those listed above.
The current favourite for the Melbourne Cup is the Willy Mullins trained Vauban (8-1), but there are a few more that have caught his eye in recent times.
Check out Brendan Bunworth’s best Spring Carnival blackbookers and futures tips below and luck to everyone following our racing tips this Spring Carnival!
Spring Racing Carnival 2023: Blackbookers & Futures Tips
Francesco Guardi – Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup
The son of Frankel, Francesco Guardi is being targeted for both races after the horse was dominant in winning the 2022 Moonee Valley Cup in October. Trained by Melbourne Cup winning trainer Chris Waller, Francesco Guardi was 2nd in the Bart Cummings after overcoming trouble so it proves that he is a horse that doesn’t need everything to go his way.
Also Backing:
Francesco Guardi - Melbourne Cup WIN - $14 (1 Unit) at NEDS
Francesco Guardi - Caulfield Cup WIN
$12 (1 Unit)
Lunar Flare – Melbourne Cup
2023 Andrew Ramsden winner who is guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup is trained by Graheme Begg who has had a great 24 months in the training ranks. Lunar Flare beat Francesco Guardi in the Group 3 Bark Cummings last year and it looked like it was a Melbourne Cup appearance for the mare, all for her to be scratched with lameness on race morning. 3200m isn’t going to be an issue and if there is pace on in the year’s Melbourne Cup, she is a big chance.
Lunar Flare - Melbourne Cup WIN
$13 (1 Unit)
Steparty – Victoria Derby & Victoria Guineas
Is already a winner at Flemington and his target race is the Victorian Derby which will be run at the same track. The Caulfield Guineas is another race which trainer Paul Pruesker has been targeting since earlier in the year. Ridden by popular hoop Dean Yendall, it is tipped Steparty’s ideal distance will be between 2000m and 2500m this campaign.
Also Backing:
Steparty - Caulfield Guineas WIN - $6.00 (1 Unit) at PalmerBet
Steparty - Victoria Derby WIN
$8.50 (1 Unit)
Romantic Warrior – Turnbull Stakes & Cox Plate
James McDonald will be on top of this one and he is being aimed at the Turnbull Stakes and the Cox Plate. Danny Shum Chap -Shing will train and his stayer blitzed them in a barrier trial at Hong Kong recently with the punter’s pick a short-priced favourite already for the 2040m Cox Plate which is still eight weeks away.
The warrior had 6 weeks off in winter and is now ready to have his first start this prep in the coming weeks which will be likely over a mile.
Also Backing:
Romantic Warrior - Cox Plate E/W - $4/$1.75 (2u/3u) at TAB
Romantic Warrior - Turnbull Stakes WIN
$2.30 (3 Units)
Daqiansweet Junior – Melbourne Cup
This Phillip Stokes trained horse is one I followed all of last Spring but he really didn’t get any luck with track conditions with the tracks being unsuitably wet during October and November. He needs Dry tracks and the Adelaide Cup winning stayer was fair when 14th but just beaten 6L on August 19 at Caulfield over an unsuitable 1600m distance.
A real throw at the stumps really but if it's a Dry Spring as predicted, he can pinch a race at odds after running 6th in the same race last year on what was a Soft7.
Daqiansweet Junior - Melbourne Cup WIN
$71 (0.5 Units)
