Flemington Racing Tips
Track: Good 3. Rail: True.
Best Bet: Race 1 – MINTHA
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Race 1: Rivette Series Final 3YO Fillies 1600m
The last two runs of MINTHA’s (4) have been full of credit, although beaten she has shown different strings to her bow and been brave in defeat both times. She charged home here two back in a slowly run race, then sat wide and without cover, hitting the lead before going down late at the Valley. She is drawn well and has the red-hot Craig Williams going on.
Dangers:
ELLE GAGNE (2) led them up that day at the Valley, obviously a tougher ask here to lead all the way but she will be on the speed for much of the race. If she gets a coupe of cheap sectionals it will be hard for the back-markers to get into the race. CASA DE LAGO (1) was a good winner at the Valley last time out, that looked a huge form reversal, but she may have turned the corner. She will need everything to go right running on from the back. PAGEANTRY (7) comes through different form lines, she is still yet to win out of maiden grade but was an eye-catching run last time at Geelong on the heavy track. She has trialed well in between runs.
Race 2: Country Cup Final 2000m
SIXTIES GROOVE (5) looks to be getting closer to his first Oz victory, he was ok at his first two runs on our soil before showing a good turn-of-foot last time when narrowly beaten. He maps well here and looks suited back on the bigger track, if he is saved for one run he should be finishing best.
Dangers:
SECOND BULLET (6) rarely runs a bad race and is versatile in-regards-to where he can settle in a race. He is most likely to be up in the leading division for a long way. GRAND DREAMER (3) has the inside draw and won’t spend any petrol in the run, the gaps usually appear somewhere up the long straight from these inside runs. Any rain around would clearly help his chances, he loves it wet. BRIGADIER (7) will at some stage make a run for the top, it is great the way they ride these Walters horses, most of the time leaving us all guessing and jockey Kate Walters usually sums up the situation of the race perfectly.
Race 3: Leilani Series Final Mares Handicap 1400m
Mares races aren’t the easiest at the best of times and although this is a “final”, it is no exception. MOONLOVER (3) has been consistent of late, MILES OF KRISHAN (2) will go forward and try to get cover behind the leaders, MISS GUNPOWDER (1) has been up for a long time but is racing well and HUSSY’S GLOW (4) will be charging late. There would be no shock to see any one of the saddle cloths numbered 1-8 winning this.
Race 4: Silver Bowl Series final 3YO 1600m
It was hard not to be impressed with the brave effort of GAULOIS (1) in defeat in the lead-up to this. He sat three and four deep the race, the majority of it without cover, dashed to the front before being run down late. He maps to get a much more economical run in transit here and should finish hard.
Dangers:
REMEMBER THE NAME (3) was the winner of that same race, she did have the cold sit on the good tempo and was entitled to run over the top of them. She cruised to victory but was double figure odds, she will probably start under the odds and the map doesn’t look as encouraging for her today. MOUNT KILCOY (4) also comes through that race and was hampered at a vital stage when winding up late, MR MONEY BAGS (2) was also wide and without cover for a lot it and didn’t shirk the task late.
Race 5: Taj Rossi Final 2YO Handicap 1600m
Although the winning margin for GOOD ‘N’ FAST (1) wasn’t huge last time here to record his maiden win, the dominance with which he did it was clear. He looks suited getting out to the mile, he was good up the straight on debut before that win here last time running on hard from the back. He looks to have a very bright future.
Dangers:
GOLDIFOX (6) looks the danger on paper, she is still a maiden but came with a big run to narrowly miss behind the top selection last time. Runner-up at both starts this prep, she has run home well over the 6 and 7 furlongs and there is nothing to suggest the mile isn’t perfect for her. GREGORIAN CHANT (7) is a last start maiden winner on the heavy track, this is obviously harder but if there is any rain around she comes right into calculations. PEDICEL (5) has the awkward draw and that can sometimes be the undoing of horses at the mile at this track, she comes through different form lines to these and her maiden win north of the border was good enough.
Race 6: Banjo Patterson Final 2600m
LYCURGUS (4) is racing well this time in, he has won three of his last four and will roll forward. If he can find the top or get cover on the speed, there is no reason he can’t repeat his latest effort.
Dangers:
SWACADELIC (3) was well back last time and caught out by a daring front-running ride, he has been sharpened up with a trial over the sticks recently. Look for him late. HIGH CHURCH (1) should be nearing peak fitness here today, he was still making ground late behind the top selection last time in a lead-up to one of these. GREY LION (2) looked to have every opportunity coming through that same form reference last time, he will roll forward and look for cover. It looks a very open race on paper.
Race 7: A.R. Creswick Stakes 3YO 1200m
NATURE STRIP (1) was brilliant up the straight when having his first start since being transferred to the Darren Weir stables. He took up the running, travelled beautifully before being let go before the furlong pole and bolted in. Hard to see him not repeating that here.
Dangers:
None. He looks the best of good things. ORDER OF COMMAND (8) was well in the betting in that same race last time, he may have been in the worst part of the track but was beaten a long way. I AM SOMEONE (5) and DOUBLE JEOPRDY (3) both came through that same formline and placed, hard to see them turning the tables on this star of the turf.
Race 8: Winter C’Ship Final 1600m
Wow where to look here! MOSS ‘N’ DALE (1) was a dominant winner here before heading north for black type racing last start. He looked a little plain going the other direction, although he has the wide gate he will get back anyway, and the big field should ensure the pace is on.
Dangers:
Plenty. All of them maybe? JACQUINOT BAY (5) is not getting any younger but has never raced as well. He will roll forward and look for cover and always runs a race. OZI CHOICE (6) for the Weir team will be carving over early from the wide gate, he will probably need to be the first to the pegs to win, I doubt that he can sit parked. MORTON’S FORK (7) comes through that same formline as Ozi Choice, he had no luck on that occasion and was good through the line late. Play wide in the Quaddie!
Race 9: Vic Sprint Series Final 1200m
HELOVA STREET (1) is resuming today off two trial wins, he absolutely flies fresh and loves it up the straight. The Tasmanian raider has won here twice previously, the latest was at Group Two level when narrowly beaten into a place. He has good tactical speed and will look the winner at some stage.
Dangers:
ABILITY (2) was ok resuming and did have excuses after appearing in the steward’s report. He has big name scalps under his belt such as Lankan Rupee so he has to be a serious contender and flies second-up. MAN FROM UNCLE (5) has untapped ability, he was racing tougher opposition when last in work up the straight here. He didn’t show a lot of dash resuming but worked to the line ok. DIVINE QUALITY (8) goes well here, she will get back and charge home. It looks a cracking race on paper, it will be interesting to see where they come with the rail back in the true position today. The race of the day!