The Deane Lester Cup is the feature event this Saturday at Flemington. With a host of competitive benchmark events also featuring, a bumper local crowd is expected trackside! In Sydney, we head to Rosehill Gardens for the Listed Winter Challenge. Find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash.
Flemington Race 6
#6 Baraqiel
Baraqiel is flying! The undefeated Snitzel gelding is building a picket fence next to his name, and he looks well placed here. The lightly raced five-year-old is a 1200m specialist, and I suspect he will grow another leg racing down the long Flemington straight. Hard to toss!
Legio Ten is ready to win. The Exosphere gelding finished on the heels of the favourite last start, and he can turn the tables on Saturday with a better transit run. The big boy traditionally races well at headquarters and has been well-supported since markets opened. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Baraqiel @ $3.00
Flemington RACE 7
#3 Speycaster
Speycaster was an impressive last-start winner at Rosehill. The Highland Reel gelding will appreciate the step out in trip, and he should receive the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The current track conditions will be suitable, and I suspect his quote will be shortened further if the heavens continue to open up.
Born A King is over the odds. The Frankel gelding has been crying out for the longer trip since the moon landing, and he looks well placed in this grade. From barrier eight he will sit one out in the running line, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to make his presence felt late.
Suggested Bet: Speycaster @ $4.20
#2 King Magnus
King Magnus is knocking on the door. The veteran Magnus gelding is always thereabouts, and I suspect he is ready to explode over the longer trip on Saturday. The 3kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and I suspect he will get a dream run in transit from barrier two. If the young gun hoop can get the big boy off the dulex before the clock-tower, I expect him to fight out the finish. He is a marvel!
Smokin’ Romans needs to recapture his mojo. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and the Ghibellines gelding has shown glimpses of his brilliant best earlier in the campaign. The 3kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations, and barrier one is luxurious. Hard to ignore.
Suggested Bet: King Magnus $6.50
Rosehill Gardens Race 6
#9 In Flight
In Flight is the best bet on a tricky and competitive Rosehill program. The Flying Artie filly made it a hatrick of wins at her latest outing, and she looks well placed to continue on her winning ways on Saturday. The 52.5kg puts one hoof on the till, and the talented three-year-old should find the bunny with a clean start. Hard to toss!
Sivka Burka makes her Australian debut. The Siyouni mare looked good recently at the trials, and she has been well supported since acceptances were published. Her best international form reads well for this event, and I suspect she will be savaging the line late. I would prefer to support her deeper into the preparation over further.
Suggested Bet: In Flight @ $2.30
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#3 Kureder
Kureder has been hammered since markets opened. The Ocean Park gelding is always thereabouts, and he is too consistent to dismiss. The longer distance suits, and he gets in well at the weights. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals, and he should get the perfect cart into the race from a middle gate. His inability to get the job done is the primary concern.
Age Of Sail will start favourite after producing two ominous performances this campaign. He finds his pet distance on Saturday, and I suspect he has been trained to explode third-up from a spell. All runs in Australia have been impressive to date, and the current track conditions play into his favour. The allocated weight is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Kureder @ $9.00
Randwick Race 8
#1 Tamerlane
Tamerlane was back to his brilliant best last start at Randwick. The Golden Horn gelding put a handy field to the sword, and I suspect he can continue on an upward trajectory for the remainder of his winter preparation. The 1500m is ideal at this stage of his spell, and he looks dangerous jumping from a middle gate. The 60.5kg might slow the big boy down.
Blaze A Trail is over the odds. The Criterion gelding is coming off a forgive run at Ipswich in the Eyeliner, and it may pay dividends to forget that he went around. From the wide gate, he drifts back and watches the race unfold. If he can stay in touch with the peloton throughout, he may gobble up his rivals late. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Tamerlane @ $6.00
