Group 1 picks around the world from Randwick, Meydan and Ellerslie

If you’re not excited about the Group 1 racing around the world this weekend, you might want to check your pulse!

It kicks off tonight, at Royal Randwick, with two Group 1s, and the feature is the Randwick Guineas over a mile. On Saturday morning, we will be treated to another two Group 1 races from Meydan in Dubai, and on Saturday afternoon, the New Zealand Derby (G1) will be held at Ellerslie in Auckland.

TwinSpires players can get up to 5% of their win wagers back with a bonus at Randwick tonight, while at Meydan and Ellerslie, you can get up to $10 back if the horse you bet to win finishes second.

Here are a few picks to cover some of the fantastic international racing this weekend!

Randwick, Race 7: #1 Aegon

Aegon came across the pond from New Zealand and dominated in his Australian debut in the Hobartville (G2) at Rosehill two weeks ago.

Just five starts ago, he started his career in a beautiful New Zealand town, about three hours south of Auckland, called Taupo. He won that race and he’s won every start since, including that dominant win in the Hobartville, where he got the split in the final furlong and hit the wire strongly.

That win was against a lot of the same opposition he'll face tonight, and it’s hard to see any of them turning the tables. The step up to a mile will suit him, and while he will get back from the wide gate, he will flying home late.

Randwick, Race 9: #12 Nimalee

This four-year-old daughter of So You Think is on an upward spiral and continues to pass every test.

She was an impressive, last-out winner at Rosehill, in her first start off a layoff, and will only improve on the back of that run.

Jockey Rachel King sticking is a bonus, as is the step up in trip. King will have options from the barrier but will most likely be able to give her a cozy run just off the speed.

Meydan, Race 5: #2 Art Du Val

It’s Super Saturday in the Middle East, with two Group 1s on a card stacked with excitement.

In the Jebel Hatta (G1), I’m looking forward to seeing Godolphin’s Al Suhail make his return to the track, but I’m going with his stablemate, Art Du Val.

He has progressed nicely this campaign, he’ll have further improvement third off the layoff, and the extra furlong will suit him. He has won over a similar distance at Meydan in the past.

Al Suhail and Lord Glitters will be tough to beat, but at around 6-1, Art Du Val is the value.

Ellerslie, Race 9: #4 Perfect Scenario

Kia ora (hello) to my Kiwi Whānau (family), who is just coming out of a seven-day COVID-related lockdown and have been whacked by a few big earthquakes this week. Kia kaha (stay strong) to everybody there.

The New Zealand Derby looks like a terrific race, with lots of chances, so I’ve gone with one at a value. He should be around the 20-1!

Perfect Scenario has been slowly building toward the mile-and-a-half race, and I thought his last-out run in the Waikato Guineas at Te Repa, behind Tokorangi over a mile and a quarter, was full of merit.

He will get the services of one of New Zealand’s leading jockeys, Opie Bosson, and he is without question a live longshot in this race.

You can watch and wager on all this incredible international racing via the TwinSpires app or desktop. Good luck!