Fabulous Flemington hosts the VRC Winter Championships this Saturday. With back-to-back finals on the stunning card of racing, this is the perfect way for punters to warm up this winter!
Flemington Race 6
#4 My Brothers Keeper
My Brothers Keeper looks ready to explode over the 2500m. The Fiorente gelding savaged the line here at his latest outing, and he should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation. He meets similar opposition, and I expect a peak performance for the preparation on Saturday. He meets several rivals significantly better off at the weights, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target. He looks great each-way value.
First Immortal will have supporters after a resilient last-start victory. He never shirked the task and held off a wall of challengers late. From barrier one, he should get the run of the race, and I expect him to eat up every inch of the longer journey. The allocated weight is the primary concern.
Verifier was an impressive last-start winner at headquarters. The Tivaci gelding snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and he can continue on his winning ways here with even luck in transit. The more extended trip will suit, and barrier five will allow the rising four-year-old to sit closer to the speed. His winning record is the only deterrent.
Suggested Bet: My Brothers Keeper @ $5.50
Flemington RACE 7
#3 It'sourtime
It’sourtime looks poised to strike after a little freshen-up. The Time For War gelding was an impressive winner here two starts back over 1200m, and he was game in defeat at his latest outing over an unsuitable 1400 m. He meets easier opposition here, and his best form reads incredibly well for this event. He always runs well at Flemington, and his record at the distance is exceptional. Hard to toss!
Nicolini Vito has trialled well leading into this event. The significant class drop is advantageous, and his first-up record is near faultless. The 1200m looks ideal fresh, and if he can find some cover from the wide barrier, he can figure in the finish hard up against the grandstand rail. The Nicconi gelding has the rare ability to strike trouble in transit.
Sigh has been well-backed since markets opened. The No Nay Never mare is undefeated this preparation, and she is chasing a hatrick of victories on Saturday. Both wins this campaign have been at Flemington over 1100m, and the step out in the distance looks ideal at this stage of her spell. I suspect the Peter Moody trained four-year-old has further improvement to come, and she is building an impressive and enviable career record. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $5.00
Flemington Race 8
#1 King Magnus
King Magnus is flying this preparation. His two victories this campaign have been breathtaking, and his best form wins this event easily. The Magnus gelding looks well placed to meet easier opposition, and he is ready for the mile at this stage of his preparation. From barrier nine, he will slide back and sit midfield with cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to fight out the finish. Over the odds!
Charterhouse will start favourite after producing an eye-catching Australian debut. The step out to 1600m is advantageous, and the Charming Thought gelding has raced well second-up previously. His international form looks delicious, and his best performance could blow his rivals away. Barrier sixteen and a flat second-up run are among the primary concerns.
Unusual Culture is having a breakthrough campaign. The Unusual Suspect mare has won three out of her past four outings, and she looks dangerous here jumping from barrier three. She deserves her shot at this level, and her record over the mile speaks volumes. This is her acid test!
Suggested Bet: King Magnus @ $8.50
Flemington Race 9
#4 Brung King
Brung King is in career-best form. The Crackerjack King gelding won from a near-impossible position at his latest outing, and he looks well placed to continue on his winning ways. The rising four-year-old has won three out of his past five starts, and he hasn’t finished outside the trifecta this campaign. The step out to the mile looks ideal, and he should be cherry ripe for Saturday after a recent eye-catching jump out. The form around him is standing up!
Lethal Thoughts is too consistent to dismiss. The So You Think colt was good without threatening last-start after a month off, and he strips fitter here. He meets similar opposition on Saturday, and from the ideal inside barrier draw, he will have every chance to run out a strong 1600m. His winning record is the primary concern.
Mr Mojo Risin’ was nailed late in his second Australian start before being blocked at a crucial stage at his latest outing. His New Zealand form reads well for this event, and I suspect he is nearing a peak performance for his debut Victorian preparation. Barrier two will allow him to roll forward and take up his favourite role as race leader, and if he can stack them up on straightening, he may prove hard to run down. Will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Brung King @ $4.60
