The Australian Cup is the feature event on a stellar nine-race-program at Flemington this Saturday. With an honour roll including Makybe Diva, Lonhro, Northerly, Octagonal, and Saintly, find out who our experts are tipping to take home this years’ edition!
Flemington Race 6
#10 Benedetta
Benedetta was ultra-impressive, winning the Inglis Sprint in a canter. The Hellbent filly put her rivals to the sword, and she broke every clock on course. She is aiming for five wins in a row on Saturday, and with even luck in running, I expect her to continue on her winning ways. The inside barrier draw is the primary concern.
What You Need will start favourite after winning at this track and distance at his latest outing. Despite being visually a run short in the mounting yard, the Supido colt put away the race before the clock tower. Barrier 17 is advantageous, and I expect him to be savaging the line late.
Despite the step up in grade, Renosu can figure at double figure odds. The Exceed And Excel gelding was too good in a more manageable grade second-up, and the big boy is too consistent to leave out of winning conversations.
Suggested Bet: Benedetta @ $3.00
Flemington RACE 7
#9 Right You Are
Right You Are is a winning machine. The So You Think gelding has a picket fence next to his name, and he looks incredibly well placed to take out the feature event. From barrier eight, I expect Ben Allen to push forward, and if he can find a spot in the running line, he may prove too strong late for his more credentialed rivals. The length of his preparation is the primary concern.
Despite being older than father time, Cascadian can run a big race on the quick backup. He savaged the line in the All Star Mile, and I expect his outing on the weekend was a tune-up for Saturday. A peak run is just around the corner, and if he can overcome the awkward barrier, he can figure in the shadows. He has been an excellent servant.
Nonconformist was a brilliant first-up winner in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes. The Rebel Raider gelding has an excellent record at the distance and always races well at Flemington. Despite drawing the carpark, he is a winning threat.
Suggested Bet: Right You Are @ $7.00
Flemington Race 8
#13 Illation
The camp of Illation has been very patient after a horror run in last year’s Memsie Stakes. He finished stone motherless, and he subsequently pulled up with issues. His form prior was sensational, and his best performances read well for this event. His trials leading into Saturday have been first-class, and I expect him to be cherry ripe for a first-up tilt. The wide barrier is the primary concern.
El Rocko is poised to strike third-up from a spell. The Fastnet Rock gelding genuinely runs well at this stage of his preparation, and his two runs this campaign have been good without winning. The 54kg is a luxury, and if Daniel Moor can be positive from the wide draw, he may prove hard to hold out.
The ultra-talented Pinstriped was plain fresh. I expect him to improve significantly second up, and then step out to 1400m is advantageous. The Street Boss gelding has drawn the carpark, and he has the ability to find trouble in transit. He can win if everything goes to plan.
Suggested Bet: Illation @ $3.60
Flemington Race 9
#17 Treporti
Treporti was good fresh without winning. He ran home well in a hot-form race in South Australia and can peak here second-up. His experience down the Flemington straight reads well for this event, and his form around Star Patrol and Passive Aggressive must be respected. Being drawn wide late in the day is ideal.
Kooled is flying this preparation. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove a masterstroke, and his best runs to date have been third-up from a spell. The Frosted gelding looks well placed back in this grade, and 1200m is his pet distance.
My Yankee Girl comes to headquarters after an impressive barrier trial win. The American Pharoah mare always races well at Flemington, and the in-form Blake Shinn has a winning association with the talented four-year-old. I expect her to be savaging the line late.
Suggested Bet: Treporti @ $6.00
