The Group 1 Australian Guineas takes centre stage this Saturday at Headquarters. Will King Colorado announce himself as the best three-year-old in the land, or will the VRC Derby champion Riff Rocket stamp his authority? In Sydney, there is a host of group events at Royal Randwick, and with the Verry Elleegant Stakes expected to draw a bumper crowd, March racing has never looked so good!
Flemington Race 7
#1 Caballus
Caballus is putting a breathtaking campaign together. Both runs for his new stable have resulted in stunning victories, and the I Am Invincible colt looks well placed to make it a hatrick of wins on Saturday. The 1200m is ideal at this stage of his spell, and I suspect barrier fifteen will be advantageous late in the day. The form around him is standing up, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Estriella was an impressive fresh winner at Caulfield. The talented filly was heavily supported late in betting, and she ran accordingly. Her second-up form must be respected, and I suspect the straight-six furlongs at headquarters will suit her racing pattern and style.
Suggested Bet: Caballus @ $3.60
Flemington RACE 8
#3 King Colorado
King Colorado is ready to win! Both runs this preparation have been visually stunning, and he has broken most on course clocks with his sizzling closing sectionals. The step up to the mile is ideal third-up from a spell, and I suspect ‘The King’ is ready to announce himself as our leading three-year-old on Saturday. The valuable Kingman colt has a sense of timing, and if he can overcome an awkward barrier, he will grab his rivals in the shadows. Push the chips in!
Riff Rocket turned heads fresh when winning the C.S. Hayes Stakes. The American Pharoah gelding snatched victory late with his powerful turn of foot, and I suspect he has a successful and fruitful autumn campaign ahead of him. He strips fitter after his first-up victory, and the VRC Derby winner should get a perfect cart into the race from a middle gate. The primary concerns are his record at the distance and the possibility of a flat second-up run.
Suggested Bet: King Colorado @ $7.50
Flemington Race 9
#2 Atishu
Atishu loves a trip to Flemington more than yours truly. The Savabeel mare was only beaten a pimple in the Group 1 Empire Rose and was a stunning Champion Stakes winner. The step out to 1600m is advantageous, and her record second-up record looks ominous. From the carpark draw she will slide back and watch the race unfold, and if she is fully wound up for a tilt at the mile, she will be motoring home late. The class runner of the field.
Makram showed up his more fancied rivals first-up at cricket-score odds. The Make Believe gelding came home from a minute back, and bookies left the course early for a succulent Chinese meal. The now seven-year-old has won over the mile, and his trainers, all seven of the Hayes brothers, are notching up victories for fun. Too elusive to dismiss.
Suggested Bet: Atishu @ $4.80
Randwick Race 7
#9 Fangirl
Fangirl won like Phar Lap first-up. The Sebring mare put her rivals to the sword before patrons returned to their seats, and I simply can’t tip against her meeting the usual suspects. She traditionally races well second-up, and the step out in distance will give her opposition sleepless nights. I suspect James McDonald will simply sit and steer, and if she sees daylight before the final furlong, it could be another demolition job. A pleasure to watch at full flight!
Cascadian never got a crack at them first-up in the Apollo. The rising nine-year-old who gets a discount on entry to the racecourse is suited to the mile second-up, and I suspect he has plenty to offer after his pedestrian and luckless fresh run. From barrier nine he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he can stay within striking distance throughout, he can run a drum at a price. One for broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Fangirl @ $1.40
Randwick Race 8
#4 Learning To Fly
Learning To Fly made a brilliant return to racing. The Justify filly, who started the Golden Slipper favourite, raced against the pattern of the day fresh, and she only got out bobbed on the wire. The talented three-year-old will eat up every inch of the 1400m, and I suspect she will get a soft run in transit from the middle gate. Producing a flat second-up performance after a long break is the primary concern.
Tiz Invincible covered more ground than the early settlers first-up. The I Am Invincible filly still sprouted wings late, and I expect her to bounce back second-up from a favourable draw. She is undefeated over the seven furlongs, and I suspect the camp will be out for redemption after her rare first-up failure. Too consistent to pot!
Suggested Bet: Learning To Fly @ $3.00
Randwick Race 9
#6 Ausbred Flirt
Ausbred Flirt is over the odds! The Maurice mare goes faster than last week’s pay fresh, and her trials leading into her first-up assignment have been rock-solid. The Group placed five-year-old has the luxury of carrying a featherweight on Saturday, and from a perfect inside draw, she looks awfully hard to toss. This is her acid test!
Olentia phoned a friend at the furlong for help fresh. The Zoustar mare couldn’t get off the rail, and she finally saw daylight when the security guard was locking the gates as the last patrons left the track. It was an awful watch for favourite punters, and I suspect she will get a smoother passage in-transit second-up. She needs to put another win on the board!
Suggested Bet: Ausbred Flirt @ $10.00
