Saturday Roughies for May 23, 2026 - Value Across the Major Meetings

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Fri 22 May 2026 07:44

Bets.com.au Staff 22 May 2026

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Five roughie tips across top Australian tracks Saturday
All picks backed by recent form and suitable race conditions
Selections present genuine value for punters seeking an edge

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All five metropolitan meetings feature in Saturday’s roughie tips. (Getty)

Several overlooked runners appeal at odds on Saturday, with key form references and ideal race setups pointing towards genuine roughie chances across the country.

Belmont Roughie Tip
Doomben Roughie Tip
Murray Bridge Roughie Tip
Randwick Roughie Tip
Sandown Roughie Tip

For standout selections across all metropolitan meetings, visit Saturday’s Best Bets.

Belmont Roughie Tip

Belmont Roughie - Race 5 No. 2 Cleanemup

There was strong market confidence around this mare in both runs back from a spell, which followed an encouraging Belmont trial victory leading into her return.

The four-year-old found 1000m too sharp first-up behind the speedy Lord Shiva before charging home late into second on April 29.

She then stepped up in grade second-up and had little chance after failing to secure clear galloping room when the pressure went on.

A rise to 1200m looks ideal now and all three career wins for Cleanemup have come at Belmont.

Doomben Roughie Tip

Doomben Roughie - Race 6 No. 8 Our Gold Hope

Our Gold Hope has often found herself in ambitious races throughout her career, although this looks one of the more suitable setups she has seen for some time.

The daughter of Lope De Vega should have gone close two starts ago when resuming from a freshen-up and there was still merit in the latest effort.

While she has been a long time between wins, the mare has repeatedly measured up in stronger company than this.

Her two Queensland runs as a late three-year-old were both strong and the drop back in distance also looks a positive here.

Murray Bridge Roughie Tip

Murray Bridge Roughie - Race 5 No. 11 Starts Now

There has been good support for Starts Now in both autumn appearances and each effort has contained merit.

The gelding looked a major threat fresh when finally seeing daylight on the inside before a fitter runner swept over the top late.

He then overcame trouble stepping to 1600m on May 2 and the fourth-of-14 finish should have him ready to peak third-up.

Starts Now has won his past two third-up attempts and already boasts a victory at this track, trip and grade.

Randwick Roughie Tip

Randwick Roughie - Race 9 No. 8 Shall Be

Despite a handy overall strike rate, this gelding endured a frustrating stretch of form from winter through until early summer.

There appeared genuine excuses during that period, with the gelding racing in glue-on shoes, which is often regarded as a negative gear change.

Those were removed after his December return and it took a few runs for the speedster to rediscover his best form.

Shall Be returned to winning form at Newcastle in February and all five career victories have come on rain-affected ground.

Sandown Roughie Tip

Sandown Roughie - Race 7 No. 14 Savour The Dream

Above-average talent was evident during the gelding’s Queensland preparation as both a two and three-year-old.

Savour The Dream earned shots at the Australian Guineas and Rosehill Guineas following stylish Brisbane victories, although he failed to measure up at Group 1 level.

After a failed winter run at Doomben, the four-year-old was given time and gelded before his 2026 return at Warrnambool.

He now drops sharply in the weights second-up, brings a perfect two-from-two second-up record and still profiles as a progressive galloper.