Flemington Racing Tips
Track: Good 3. Rail: Out 7m entire circuit
Best Bet: Race 5 – GOLD MAG
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Race 1: Handicap 2510m
SIXTIES GROOVE (1) is an import that showed promise before finally putting two on end at his last couple. Both those wins have come here at Flemington, he will once again be mid-field and the smaller field suits. He gets up in the weights, but he appears to be getting better with each run.
Dangers:
The Lloyd Williams pair of KILLIMANJARO (4) and CROCODILE ROCK (5) look the two obvious dangers. The former will appreciate getting the longer trip and they both don’t have a lot of brilliance but will keep grinding away. They will need to make it into a true staying test as the Weir runner may just have too much speed when asked. JAAMEH (6) won at his Australian debut before well beaten behind the top pick last time, he will probably be last early but will keep coming in the straight and should be fitter for that fresh run.
Race 2: BM90 Handicap 1000m
BANDIPUR (4) is a last start winner north of the border in a BM80, he is versatile where he can settle in a race and was really strong last time after looking beta. From the inside gate expect that he will go forward and get a spot n behind them towards the inner half up the straight. The first race of the day up the straight so it will be hard to know if the inside is the place to be or not.
Dangers:
INVINCIBLE AL (3) has had three weeks between runs, he won up the straight here at his latest when running on hard. He is likely to be at the back of the field again but look for him flashing late. PREZADO (6) has been well backed in the early betting during the week, he is resuming off a 5-month break. The last time he was here up the straight he wasn’t beaten far behind Nature Strip. COSTA BOMB (7) ran on well at huge odds last time at his first go here. It may pay to include her in the exotics, but she looks a place chance at best.
Race 3: 3YO BM70 Handicap 1400m
SARGEANT (11) has shown good tactical speed at his two career starts, he comes through a hot maiden last time and can take the next step here. He will go forward from the good gate and try to lead all the way.
Dangers:
ZAIDIN (12) was favoured by the way the track was playing last time and ran on well. That was his first go out of maiden grade, look for him late again if the speed is hot. O’TAUTO (5) did plenty wrong when an impressive debut winner last start. Steps up to the 7 furlongs which looks to suit and will have taken plenty from that run. RUBAN BLEU (2) had his chances last start after a peach of a ride, he should get a soft run again off the inside draw but is still a maiden taking on some winners. Chance.
Race 4: Mares BM84 Handicap 1400m
BELLARIA (7) has been good at two of her last three runs, she doesn’t have a lot of brilliance but will keep coming in the straight. From the 1400m start here she will need cover, but that is the right racing pattern for this T/D and she should get a nice cart into it.
Dangers:
HARMATTAN (4) comes back from black type racing and may need the run/further, but she won at her only first-up run on debut and she looks to have a stack of potential. She looks the best horse in the race but willing to take her on from the wide gate fresh at the 7 furlongs. MARIQUITA (5) rounds out the top three chances which are all drawn wide on the track, so it may be won or lost with the jockey’s decisions. She ran on hard at Caulfield last time. SHARING (6) next best as she should get an economical run off the draw.
Race 5: BM70 Handicap 1200m
GOLD MAG (11) could not have been more impressive at his first two starts, his debut win was huge in a race that has been a good form reference and then he went to Sandown and romped in after sitting wide with cover. He looks s though he can do it at both ends, up the straight for the first time he will be winning this!
Dangers:
None. He looks the best of the day and could be a future star! As good a thing as he looks, ILLUMICON (12) looks almost a lock for the Quinella punters. He was brilliant resuming against his own age group, this is harder, but he maps to get the right run. TAHI (7) was good here last time, if the inside isn’t off he will be a good chance to fill a placing for the exotic punters. Throw in DOUBLE JEOPARDY (6) for your first four’s if you have too but stick with the good thing of the day.
Race 6: BM78 Handicap 2000m
Hopefully BRIGADIER (2) adopts the catch me if you can tactics, with the good claim he can lead for a long way. He had every chance here last time when up on the speed, if he can get a couple of cheap sectionals through the middle here he will be hard to catch at a price.
Dangers:
THE STATESMAN (5) put three on end at the back of his last campaign and then came to Australia, he has been a little inconsistent this time in but gets out to a more preferable trip now. He doesn’t have a lot of brilliance and could be aimed at the jumps next year but can grind out a placing here. HARIPOUR (13) is another of Darren Weir’s runners, he doesn’t map as well as he has in his last few and looks a good risk if at the top of the betting. ORAKEI OVERLORD (10) will go forward and probably has to sit outside the leader, if he does get cover he will loom strongly at some stage.
Race 7: Aurie’s Star Handicap 1200m
RICH CHARM (4) goes well up the straight, he doesn’t have the greatest record when resuming but last campaign he hit the line hard when just missing the placings. Who could forget the trainer during Cup week last year, who wouldn’t want to see that again! Look for him late!
Dangers:
HOME OF THE BRAVE (1) is a real query horse. He is an import formerly from the UK that has been via the US and arrived here. He has trialed well enough north of the border, he will probably be giving them a start and may need the mile, but he looks to have some class. Always willing to risk these UK horses first-up over a sprint trip. VOODOO LAD (2) looks the best of three Darren Weir runners, he has run on hard at both of his last start runs at Caulfield. He has placed at 3 of 5 here up the straight, should be working to the line well again. I AM A STAR (5) is fresh and hasn’t raced since Cup week last year, but he goes well at the track and can show up off the long break.
Race 8: Handicap 1400m
NIGHT’S WATCH (10) is resuming after a long spell, but he needed it. He went to new levels last time in work and really could take more steps toward black type victories this Spring. The 1400m may not be ideal but the big field suits the pace should be on and he should be charging home late.
Dangers:
Plenty. FLOW (7) is a Godolphin runner that has raced well this prep north of the border. He has been ridden up on the speed at his last couple, the draw doesn’t help but expect them to go forward again with him. THEANSWERMYFRIEND (6) always races well in this type of race and should be nearing peak fitness here third-up. SOUCHEZ (13) has a great record this pattern, having won 2/4 when second-up. Likely to get back, he will probably be ridden for luck but the gaps usually appear here.
Race 9: BM84 Handicap 1700m
AL GALAYEL (10) returns from an unsuccessful trip north, he showed a different angle that day by leading after two nice runs from back in the field here in VIC. Back in trip and returning, he should get back in the run again and with the big field likely to set a solid tempo, he will be running on hard.
Dangers:
SIKANDARABAD (8) is an import that has had three runs in Australia, the latest of which he scored his first win on our soil when running on hard form the back. He has been getting better with each run and a win up in this grade wouldn’t surprise. BELGRAVIA (7) is first-up after a year and having his first run on Australian soil, we have seen the Lloyd Williams team win with these in the past. He was placed fresh at his last campaign but may need the run after having 54 weeks off. MANTASTIC (6) has yet to miss a place at his seven career starts, he usually needs everything to go right with his pattern of getting back. Look for him late.