The best racing in Victoria comes to us from Flemington this Saturday! It’sourtime will start favourite in the feature event of the day, the Vrc Community Plate, after a long overdue last-start win at headquarters. Will the Danny O’Brien-trained five-year-old return to his best form now the monkey is off the back?
Flemington Race 6
#7 Brung King
Brung King is flying this preparation. The Crackerjack King gelding is notching up victories for fun, and he looks well placed to continue his winning ways Saturday. His last-start demolition at Sandown was clinical, and the talented three-year-old still has plenty of natural improvement to come. The apprentice claim could prove a masterstroke, and the 1400m is his pet distance. Hard to toss!
Grey River will start favourite after a narrow defeat last-start at Morphettville. The Al Maher filly looked home and hosed before snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory. She can roll forward from barrier two and make her own luck; if she can control the tempo throughout, she may prove hard to run down.
Private Jumbo can run well despite the drawing off the track. The Reward For Effort was luckless last start at Flemington, and with a better run in transit here, he can make amends. There has been a flood of money for the Michael Huglin-trained runner in early betting, and I expect the support to continue. His winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Brung King @ $6.50
Flemington RACE 7
#15 Silent Surrente
Silent Surrente will have supporters after putting back-to-back wins together. The Fiorente mare races well in all conditions, and she finds her favourite distance on Saturday. From barrier five, the inform Linda Meech can let the versatile four-year-old balance up and see her feet, and if she can find cover in the run, she will let down with one all-mighty finish. She deserves her shot at this level, and a win certainly wouldn’t surprise. The length of her preparation is the primary concern.
Shaiyhar was good without threatening on his Australian debut. The Camelot gelding is undefeated second-up, and his best international form reads incredibly well for this event. The 2000m is advantageous, and he looks well placed at Benchmark 84 level. He has been well-backed since markets opened for this race, and it may pay dividends to watch for any further moves. The wide barrier is his biggest obstacle.
Blue Cap looks over the odds. His first-up run at the mile was teasing, and he looked ready to explode second-up over the longer trip. The rising eight-year-old strips fitter here, and he should get every opportunity to run on late with the predicated hot-on-speed tempo. He looks like he has returned in great order, and I expect a successful preparation.
Suggested Bet: Silent Surrente @ $4.00
Flemington Race 8
#6 It'sourtime
It’sourtime finally broke through after many narrow misses and hard luck stories. The Time For War gelding is talented, and he got a nice reward for consistent effort in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington. He should be rock-hard fit at this preparation stage, and the 1400m looks ideal. From barrier six, he can sit just behind the speed, and if he is presented at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish again. He will start a well-deserved favourite, and he can begin to put the picket fence next to his name!
Jimmy The Bear caught the eye of punters first up from a spell. He savaged the line late and finished on the heels of the race favourite, It’sourtime. His record at the distance must be respected, and he is undefeated second-up. He should be fitter after his fresh performance and will be hitting the line strongly over a more suitable distance. Barrier sixteen may determine his fate during the early stages of the race.
King Magnus was breathtaking last-start. He was under more pressure than the federal government halfway down the home straight. However, he managed to fight and record an incredible victory. The Magnus gelding traditionally races well third-up from a spell and meets easier opposition on Saturday. The apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations, and I won’t be surprised to see the money come for the classy runner late. The awkward barrier is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $4.00
Flemington Race 9
#2 Treporti
Treporti comes to Flemington after a little freshen-up. Prior to his holiday in the paddock, his win was first-class at Bendigo over 1300m. Two recent jumpouts should have him cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and he is usually competitive over the sharper 1100m trip. Barrier eighteen looks ideal late in the day up the famous Flemington straight, and if there is any track bias favouring the swoopers, he will be storming home like a freight train. He looks great each-way value!
Ranveer will start favourite after an eye-catching first-up run at Mornington. The Winning Rupert gelding was stiff not to get the money after being slow out of the barriers, and with even luck in transit, he can make amends on Saturday. He looks well-placed meeting easier opposition, and there has been heavy market support in early betting. The allocated weight makes his assignment slightly harder.
The Hass is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Ajaya gelding always performs well fresh, and he comes into all winning conversations after the 3kg apprentice claim. Benchmark 70 shouldn’t hold any fears for the honest four-year-old, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Treporti @ $5.00
