The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning takes centre stage this Saturday at headquarters. Imperatriz, arguably the best sprinting mare since Black Caviar, will start a short-priced favourite in the feature event, and I suspect she will attract a healthy crowd to Flemington. There are a handful of Group events in Sydney town, with Fangirl the popular elect in The Group 2 Apollo Stakes. Autumn racing has never looked so good!
Flemington Race 7
#2 King Colorado
King Colorado has furnished into a man. The Group 1 winner was brilliant at the top level during the spring, and he boasts form around Romantic Warrior and Mr Brightside. The Kingman colt oozes class, and his first-up performance in the Manfred was breathtaking. The Australian Guineas favourite will be sprouting wings late on Saturday, and I won’t be surprised if he announces himself in a big way. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Hey Fat Cat looks dangerous on the quick back-up. He ran one of the fastest 400m on Saturday after bombing the start, and he put the writing on the wall for a big autumn. The Rubick gelding has been flying since the ultimate gear change, and if he can jump cleanly with his rivals, I expect him to make his presence felt late.
Suggested Bet: King Colorado @ $3.20
Flemington RACE 8
#4 Imperatriz
It’s ironic that Imperatriz resumes in the Black Caviar Lightning. The I Am Invincible mare is chasing the shadow of greatest ever sprinter, and arguably, she is the best we have seen since the great one retired. Her performances during the spring were rated off the chart, and visually, they were stunning. Her trial form leading into her first-up assignment has been criticised, and the average punter has thrown a tall pop or two. Cream rises, and I am looking forward to seeing the best in the world dominate on Saturday!
I Am Unstoppable is a serious customer, and he looks destined to play a role in the upcoming Newmarket Handicap. The I Am Invincible colt doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he arguably should already be a Group 1 winner. His spring was full of near misses, and I suspect the camp are preparing for redemption during the autumn. He will run well on Saturday and is one to follow moving forward.
Suggested Bet: Imperatriz @ $1.90
Flemington Race 9
#12 Jimmysstar
Jimmysstar is just that! The Per Incanto gelding has been unstoppable since arriving in Australia, and he looks to have the autumn at his mercy. The enigmatic four-year-old has been going through his grades successfully, so he has booked his place in the $5,000,000 All-Star Mile. With even luck in transit on Saturday, I expect him to extend the picket fence next to his name.
Carini is over the odds. The Siyouni gelding looked good in his first Australian preparation, and I suspect he is in for a fruitful autumn campaign. The talented five-year-old has already tasted success at Flemington, and his recent jump out put the writing on the wall for a forward and bullish showing fresh. It may pay dividends to watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Jimmysstar @ $1.60
Randwick Race 7
#8 Fangirl
Fangirl is Johnny on the spot. Her first-up form is sensational, and she always performs well at the track and distance. The Sebring mare has stepped out of the shadows of Anamoe, and she lowered the colours of Mr Brightside, the best weight-for-age galloper in the country, during the spring. Most punters will be happy to push the chips in if the predicated rain misses the eastern suburbs.
Militarize will have supporters after an impressive spring preparation. The Dundeel colt was a brilliant winner of the Golden Rose, and he caught the eye late in a farcical Caulfield Guineas. He looks suited under the weight-for-age scale, and if his more fancied rivals are a run or two short, he will capitalise late.
Suggested Bet: Fangirl @ $2.20
Randwick Race 8
#2 Tiz Invincible
Tiz Invincible had a near-faultless spring campaign. She beat the boys first-up, and she dominated against her own sex for the majority of the preparation. She was a victim of bad barriers late in the spell, and if she has improved even an inch over the summer break, she will be hard to toss fresh on Saturday. Barrier twelve brings her back to the field.
Learning To Fly had a stunning debut preparation before throwing the jockey in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. The Justify filly oozes class, and there is an air of excitement surrounding her return. Three barrier trials should have her cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and the flood of early money suggests a forward fresh performance. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Tiz Invincible @ $4.00
Randwick Race 9
#5 Estadio Mestalla
Estadio Mestalla was a brave last-start winner at Rosehill. He looked a sitting duck during the final furlong, and his hosts of owners went for the oxygen at the 50m. The Galileo Gold gelding was a popular winner after being absolutely crunched late in betting, and he looks ready to continue his winning form on Saturday. From barrier two, he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to prove too strong for his rivals late.
Logan Street Lion was good without winning first-up. The Tavistock gelding produced the second-fastest final 600m of the race, and he traditionally performs well second-up. The 1600m is advantageous, and he strips fitter after his recent outing. From barrier five, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he left to his own devices on top of the speed, he could pinch a winning margin before he climbs the famous Randwick rise.
Suggested Bet: Estadio Mestalla @ $5.00
