Flemington Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 9m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 1 – VIKING WARRIOR
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Race 1: Super VOBIS 2YO Plate 1200m
VIKING WARRIOR (2) was a brilliant winner at Geelong on debut, he showed good speed to share the lead before railing well and kicking away for a soft victory. Tough of him having his fiorst go up the straight, no doubt the Hayes/Hayes/Dabernig crew have sent him up it here at his home track. He looks a good thing if able to show any improvement off that debut run.
Dangers:
GAME KEEPER (5) looked a little lost early at his debut but ran on hard late to narrowly miss the placings, only going down by a length. He looks suited getting out to the 1200m and maybe further. MAOZI (7) had to do a lot of work to win her maiden last time, this is a lot harder and watch for any money for SKIDDAW (6) on debut, sure to be well educated.
Race 2: Handicap 2500m
It looks a race in two on paper. LYCURGUS (2) always races well here having missed a place at only one of his six starts at the track. The small field looks to suit and he may be able settle outside the leader and rate it how they like. This is easier hen last time when beaten by the smart Etymology. PLEASURING (3) looks the only other winning chance, she had no luck at the Valley when held-up at a vital stage last time out, she has won at the 2500m before and gets the good weight pull. Throw in PEDRO JIMENEZ (6) and AZURITE (5) for the minors only, concentrate the exotics around the top two selections.
Race 3: BM70 Handicap 1400m
This looks one of the toughest races of the day. SACRED THEME (6) is a last start winner at the Bool in an easier race than this, there was a lot to like about the way he ran on along what may not have been the best part of the track. He should be double figure odds and looks a great each-way bet.
Dangers:
ROX THE CASTLE (5) was ok here in a harder race last time, he has had the month off in between runs and will take some catching. He will need to lead and settle to finish off a strong 1400m though. ENGLISH GAMBLER (7) is an interesting runner resuming, now with the Weir stable he had a nice start to his career in NZ and gets Zahra legging up. He has shown he is not just a wet tracker also, watch for any money for him. WEAPON (11) is drawn horribly but is likely to get back early anyway, as he did with a dominant win at Seymour resuming.
Race 4: 3YO BM70 Handicap 2000m
NECESSITAS (11) finally got the maiden win out of the way last time, her only run here at the track was last campaign when stepping out to the 1800m for the first time and ran on well. She now gets past to the 2000m for the first time in her career, if she settles in the run, look for her late.
Dangers:
OCEANEX (1) looks the obvious danger and will probably start at the top of the market, she was a winner in similar grade last time at the Valley and gets the good claim here. A little worrying where she will get to from the wide draw but she has shown that she has versatility. YULONG SEPTEMBER (2) ran on hard through the line at Caulfield last Wednesday, this is harder but he has the talent. ROYAL PERFORMANCE (3) looks suited getting out past the mile for the first time, he was good at his first crack out of maiden grade last time.
Race 5: Inglis Dash 3YO Set Weights and Penalies 1100m
TROPEZINA (7) has good tactical speed, no doubt they will be coming up the middle/outside again here so she will just have to angle across early. She was strong through the line when a smart winner at Caulfield last time, if she handles the straight she will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
BEERZ WITH CLINT (4) had been very costly to punters before finally breaking through for his maiden win at start eight last time, he is also having his first look at the straight but is versatile. THORONDOR (3) is resuming, he raced some of the best in his age group at his first prep but looks a great lay off the inside draw. He was well beaten here last start in the Coolmore, this is a lot easier but happy to risk him if he is under an each-way quote. PHYSICALITY (6) was a winner at big odds on debut in a much easier maiden than this, quite often horses can improve off those type of wins and step straight up to this level. He has speed and is drawn in the right part of the track.
Race 6: BM84 Handicap 1400m
MASTERING (4) has the wide draw which can bring the best horses undone here at the Flemington 1400m, and he will need to get cover early as he struggled to run out the 1400m strongly at Caulfield last time. The blinkers go off, willing to bet that Noonan can get the breaks needed.
Dangers:
SET TO SPARKLE (8) was a winner here a week ago against the girls, she was strong through the line but does have to take on the opposite sex here. MOUNT KILCOY (11) has only finished further back than 2nd at one of his 6 career starts, that was when right out to the 2400m before heading to the paddock. He should be able to sprint well fresh here. KACHING (7) ran on hard between runners when resuming and has won 2/3 when second-up, just a little concerning that he has not placed at 4 attempts here at HQ.
Race 7: Kensington Stakes 1000m
CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (2) has a terrific record when resuming as she is today, she probably wants further than the 1000m dished up here but she is all class. She has trialed well north of the border for this, a little concerning that this is her first go up the straight but it is a tough 5 furlongs which should suit her.
Dangers:
GLENALL (5) is also resuming, he will find this his toughest test but has also shown that he goes best when fresh. He can miss the start so will need to be on his best manners. MISSROCK (4) has only won 1 /12 here at the track which is a little concerning, she will be giving them a start but finishing hard. HEART OF A LION (3) is also first-up from the paddock, he is now a 9YO but he was terrific when last in work.
Race 8: BM84 Handicap 1800m
LAURE ME IN (13) was super here on New Years Day, he was last well into the straight before getting to the outside and charging home to miss by the smallest possible margin. This is a harder race but he carries no weight, draws o get a soft run and should be closer when they sprint up. Look for him late. They are probably going to want to take him on in this grade with his pattern of racing, so wait until late to back him.
Dangers:
KILMACURRAGH (11) will be at the other end of the speed map, he will go forward and try to lead all the way, a tough ask here at Flemington. KENTUCKY BREEZE (7) is the other horse that will be vying for the lead, his chances will hinge on whether he gets to the fence first or not. FIVE KINGDOM (6) is a last start winner here when leading throughout, but the bad gate will dictate that he will be looking for cover up on the speed.
Race 9: BM84 Handicap 1200m
Tough way to finish the day. LANGHRO (15) is a lightly raced 6YO that comes through a hot form race at Caulfield when resuming three weeks ago. He over-raced on that occasion, has the speed to be up on the pace here, just a matter if he is drawn wide enough and how the straight is playing.
Dangers:
EXCELTARA (12) was ok at his first go up the straight two starts back, went to Caulfield a fortnight ago and forget he even went around. He was held-up badly when coming wide, finally got to the outside and ran on hard whilst laying in. INTUITION (11) ran on hard in a race in Sydney last time out, the pattern was against him that day and he did well to run into second. Hard to line up that form but the stable must be respected. ORDER OF COMMAND (5) draws the inside which is a little concerning, he won two in a row here up the straight before not having a lot of luck late last time here.