No stakes racing this Saturday but good to get a well-backed winner home in Malkovich last week at the $6 mark and it is a similar price and scenario for my best of the day this Saturday.

Race 8 sees Short Shorts (friend of the piece) drop back from the Midway Championship Finals where she started $6 on a deteriorating heavy 8 which she just doesn't appreciate. Spangler destroyed them but she was only 1.4 lengths off second and looks far better placed here.

She should get a much more suitable surface here and likely finds the front comfortably from the inside draw, with Riduna the only other speed influence in the race. When a horse such as Frumos, drawn 12/15, is within a point of Short Shorts in the market, she looks too good an opportunity to pass up at $6.50.

The other bet on a tricky day I'll be having is Huesca in the last. I marked him favourite but I think he could be a touch shorter here getting plenty in his favour.

Two runs back from a spell have been good, getting flushed out wide very early after just mustering a touch slowly to settle midfield, rather than on the pace. Third up now, drawn inside, I expect there's good intent to hold the front and keep his main danger Capo Strada wide in the short run to the bend.

Ratings of 94 this time in fall just shy of Capo Strada's 96 first up but I think he gets a better scenario here and has more upside. Just shy of $4 seems a fair gamble.

SYDNEY SPECIALS

Bet of the day: Race 8 #2 Short Shorts @ $6.50

Also backing: Race 10 #11 Huesca @3.90