Fabulous Flemington hosts the Group 1 Australian Guineas meeting this Saturday. Can anyone stop the boom colt Jacquinot from claiming another autumn feature?
Flemington Race 6
#6 Paris Dior
I am happy to be with Paris Dior first up from a spell. Her trial leading into this event was eye-catching, and she has performed well down the Flemington straight in previous campaigns. Her barrier manners are the primary concern.
Benedetta is flying at present. The Hellbent filly has put three consecutive wins together, and with the proper run in transit, I expect her to be in the finish on Saturday. This is her biggest test to date. However, she looks talented, with plenty of improvement to come.
Opal Ridge will start favourite after a successful spring preparation. Her recent barrier trial will have her cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and her form around Pericles reads well for this.
Suggested Bet: Paris Dior @ $8.50
Flemington RACE 7
#1 Jacquinot
Jacquinot looks incredibly hard to beat, racing against his age. His win first-up carrying the grandstand from an impossible position was sensational, and he beat some of the big guns at open weight-for-age second up. He could produce a peak run third-up from a spell, and I expect him to run out a strong mile. The wide barrier is the primary concern.
Elliptical was brilliant first-up in the C.S. Hayes at Flemington. He got too far out of his ground from the wide barrier draw. However, he came home like a freight train to claim victory. The inside draw will allow him to sit on the leader’s back, and the distance is ideal second-up from a spell. He could pinch a winning margin if the gaps appear at the right time.
Attrition produced sizzling late sectionals behind Elliptical at his latest outing. He was inconvenienced at a crucial stage and looked unlucky not to finish closer to the winner. The Churchill gelding is rock hard fit, and he gets his chance to claim Group 1 glory on Saturday.
Suggested Bet: Jacquinot @ $2.35
Flemington Race 8
#1 Tuvalu
Tuvalu was solid first up in The C.F. Orr Stakes. His record at the track and distance must be respected, and he always runs well second-up. The drop in grade is advantageous, and he can stalk the speed from barrier five. He will be striking the lead, and possibly the victory, in the shadows of the post.
Gentleman Roy has returned to racing this preparation in good order. His win first-up was brave, and he only lost on protest second-up against some of our country’s best weight-for-age horses. The So You Think gelding is starring redemption in the face, and I expect him to be in the finish again. His stats at the track and distance are hard to ignore.
The old boy So Si Bon can be a reasonably priced nuisance. From an inside draw, he should get the run of the race, and I expect him to peel out and make his presence felt at the clock tower. On current form, he is a must for wider exotics.
Suggested Bet: Tuvalu @ $4.00
Flemington Race 9
#4 It'sourtime
It’sourtime looks well placed here at Benchmark 90 level. He has been competitive in some decent Group and Listed races during his career, and he doesn’t know how to run a bad race. His fresh record must be respected, and he loves the Flemington straight. Finding trouble in running and the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory are the primary concerns. Each way betting is a safer option.
D’jumbuck will start favourite after an ultra-impressive campaign. They climbed out of trees to back him last start, and he won accordingly. The Starspangledbanner gelding looks well placed in a middle gate, and despite the rise in grade, he can continue on his winning ways.
Life Lessons is flying! Her form around Nugget reads well for this event, and she strips fitter here. The Peter Moody and Jamie Kah combination must be respected, and she must be included in all winning conversations.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $8.50
