As the curtain falls on another Melbourne Cup week, we finish with Stakes Day! The Darley Sprint, The Kennedy Mile, and The Champions Stakes are a must-watch for all racing fans!
Flemington Race 6
#1 nature strip
This could be the best race of the week! The Everest Champion Giga Kick is looking to remain undefeated against a white-hot field. There are plenty of stars in this straight-six feature, including the highest-rated sprinter in the world, Nature Strip.
Will ‘The King’ Nature Strip remain the best sprinter in the world? Will ‘The New Kid On The Block’ Giga Kick force the changing of the guard? Will Bella Nipotina continue her purple patch of form? This is a serious race.
Nature Strip will return to the winner’s stall. His peak run is usually third up from a spell, and his love affair with the Flemington straight will continue. He spent too much petrol in The Everest early, and despite being entitled to knock up, he was only grabbed late. If he has made any improvement from that run, watch out! Long live The King!
Suggested Bet: Nature Strip @$2.10
Flemington RACE 7
#2 private eye
Private Eye comes to Melbourne after a blistering win in The Nature Strip Stakes at Rosehill. The start prior, he was only narrowly beaten in The Everest by Giga Kick. This horse is seriously flying.
He rarely runs a poor race and looks to be the best sprinter-miler in the country. He is ready for the 1600m being fourth up from a spell, and I can’t wait to watch him burn the turf late. Worth the price of admission to watch him win Saturday.
Alligator Blood gives a good sight at the top of the straight; however, he may have gone back to the well too many times this campaign.
Cascadian dropping back to 1600m is interesting. His best form over the mile indicates he can be in the finish. However, I am unsure he will have the required turn of foot after some grinding 2000m performances in heavy conditions.
My Oberon has the ‘X’ factor, while Tuvalu is over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Private Eye @ $3.10
Flemington Race 8
#7 Anamoe
Cox Plate Champion Anamoe gets his chance to add another Group 1 to his name. They haven’t been able to beat him at Caulfield or The Valley, and I am unsure they can beat him at Flemington. From barrier 4, James McDonald can have the Godolphin superstar one out, one back, before unleashing his powerful burst just before the clock tower. Winners keep winning. Supreme athlete.
I’m Thunderstruck looks the most likely to challenge Anamoe. His run in The Cox Plate was beautiful, and he probably should have finished closer to victory. From barrier 8, I expect Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra to have him a couple of pairs back from the speed-stalking ‘The Big A”. He will be motoring home.
Interested to see how Elliptical performs under weight for age conditions. Despite not winning, it has been a solid preparation against his age. This is his biggest test to date.
Mr Maestro should be rock hard fit on the quick backup, while All-Star Mile Champion Zaaki is the forgotten horse.
Suggested Bet: Anamoe @ $2.10
Flemington Race 9
#20 Treporti
Danny O’Brien targets this race each year with promising horses that are resuming from a spell. It’sourtime and Order Of Command are two of his recent winners of this event.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Treporti is ready to peak first up after four solid jumpouts. He is yet to win first up. However, he did run behind a smart one at Flemington fresh last preparation. I expect him to be fully wound up and in the finish. Great value.
Taunting is flying at present. The lightly raced four-year-old is very consistent and was luckless at Moonee Valley last start. With a clear passage, she will be thereabouts.
Lina’s Legacy is over the odds at $31. The drop back in the distance is the query.
Suggested Bet: Treporti @ $8.50
