Group 1 racing continues at Flemington this Saturday with the running of our premier sprinting race, the Newmarket Handicap. With several significant Group and Listed events on the program, who will stand up and announce themselves on the big stage?
Flemington Race 6
#7 Right You Are
If this is the entree to the Australian Cup, I can’t wait for the main course!
Right You Are is a winning machine. The So You Think gelding is putting the picket fences next to his name, and he looks well placed to continue on his winning ways from an inside draw. The drop back to 2000m is advantageous, and the appointment of champion jockey Mark Zahra could prove a winning move.
No Compromise produced an eye-catching run fresh behind the inform Banju. He produced some of the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting, and he usually races well over 2000m. With even luck in running, I expect him to make his presence felt at the clock tower.
Emissary was ok first up without threatening. He should get the run of the race from barrier three, and he strips fitter here. His record at the distance is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Right You Are @ $3.50
Flemington RACE 7
#15 In Secret
In Secret looks well-placed here with 51.5kg. She was only grabbed late in the Surround, and her first-up win was breathtaking after starring defeat in the face. Her Coolmore Stakes victory during the spring can’t be deleted from the memory bank, and I am expecting a peak run for the preparation on Saturday. The middle gate provides options for Jamie Kah, and the James Cummings factor must be respected.
I Wish I Win was eye-catching first-up in the Black Caviar Lightning. The Savabeel gelding broke the clock, and he will start favourite here as a result. His record at the distance is impressive, and he usually races well second-up. Barrier fourteen looks advantageous for the Golden Eagle winner, and I expect him to make his presence felt inside the final furlong. The Peter Moody and Luke Nolen combination will attract market support, and their affinity with the Flemington straight-six needs to be appreciated.
Lofty Strike can win here after a gutsy run second-up in the Oakleigh Plate. His first-up win was first-class, and he should get his chance to sprout wings late with even luck in running. He has a winning association with Flemington, and Craig Newitt seems to get an extra length out of the talented Snitzel colt. His third-up and distance records are the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: In Secret @ $5.00
Flemington Race 8
#8 Visinari
I am pleased to be with Visinari first up from a spell. The Dark Angel gelding has trialled incredibly well leading into this event and excels over 1400m. His fresh record is near perfect, and he usually races well at Flemington. From barrier three, he can camp on the leader’s back, and if the gaps appear on straightening, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Life Lessons looks over the odds after putting together a near-faultless preparation. The Tavistock mare deserves her shot at a decent race, and the drop back to 1400m is advantageous. Being drawn in the carpark is the primary concern.
Scallopini is flying! He was a dominant winner at the track second-up, and he usually makes his own luck on top of the speed. He is undefeated at Flemington, and his record at the distance is outrageous. If he can cross early from the awkward barrier, he may prove hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Visinari @ $8.50
Flemington Race 9
#11 Is It Me
The undefeated Is It Me looks poised here from barrier one. The Iffraaj gelding looks versatile, and the 1400m is ideal first-up. His barrier trials leading into this were ultra-professional, and I look forward to seeing the talented three-year-old reach dizzy heights during the autumn and beyond!
Zoe’s Promise looks over the odds from a middle gate. Her recent jump-out was first-class, and her spring form in Group races is hard to ignore. The predicated firm surface may cause a problem, and the 60kg allocated is a fair hurdle to overcome. The Ciaron Maher polish could prove the difference.
Meridius was eye-catching first up from a spell. His second-up record is solid, and the 1400m looks advantageous. Barrier three allows the Extreme Choice colt to sit closer to the speed, and I expect him to be savaging the line inside the final furlong. He will be a betting proposition deeper into his campaign over further.
Suggested Bet: Is It Me @ $3.20
