The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes is the stunning feature event this Saturday at Flemington. With the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes and the Group 3 Archer Stakes also prominent on the mouthwatering program, all roads lead to headquarters! In Sydney town, we head to Rosehill Gardens for the running of the Group 2 Run To The Rose. With the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes, Sheraco Stakes, and the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality also appearing on the fascinating racing card, a huge bumper crowd is expected trackside in Western Sydney.
Flemington Race 5
#2 Post Impressionist
Post Impressionist was good without winning fresh at the track and distance. The Teofilo gelding was outsprinted when they ran for the doctor, and I suspect he will benefit significantly from his first outing since March. The former import traditionally performs well second-up, and I expect an improved performance on Saturday. Watch for the big boy late!
Horrifying is flying at present. The Shocking gelding is looking to make it a hatrick of victories, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. The versatile seven-year-old performs well on all surfaces, and he has improved sharply in his performances during the past twelve months.
Suggested Bet: Post Impressionist @ $7.00
Flemington RACE 6
#4 Nicolini Vito
Nicolini Vito is a model of consistency. The Nicconi gelding savaged the line late last start, and he put the writing on the wall for a next-start victory. The form around the flying Gentleman Roy reads incredibly well for this event, and he has been well-supported since markets opened. He is drawn to perfection and grows an extra leg when he gets to headquarters. Fit as a fiddle, and he looks hard to toss!
Arran Bay will have supporters after finishing his last campaign in white-hot form. He looks well placed in this company, and I suspect he will be cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt. Daniel Stackhouse has a near-perfect winning association with the All Too Hard gelding, and he looks over the odds at the double-figure quote. I would prefer to promote him over further later into his campaign.
Suggested Bet: Nicolini Vito @ $5.00
#1 Quintessa
The classy Quintessa won well fresh over an unsuitable trip. The Shamus Award mare was brilliant late, and I suspect she will take significant benefit from her brilliant return to racing. The step-out trip is advantageous, and I expect she will get a beautiful run in transit with the frenetic tempo predicted on speed. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
See You In Heaven was an impressive fresh winner before producing a below-par effort when favourite second-up. The Divine Prophet mare is set to produce a peak performance and deserves her shot at this level. The enigmatic five-year-old performs well at Flemington, and I suspect this is her target race for the campaign. The wide barrier is the primary concern.
Flemington Race 8
#8 Via Sistina
Via Sistina made an incredible return to racing when winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes. The Fastnet Rock mare produced a blistering turn of foot late, and she beat her rivals over a trip well short of her pet distance. Her record second-up must be respected, and the former import looks dangerous jumping from the perfect inside barrier. Her best form is world-class, and I suspect she is in for a fruitful and successful spring preparation. The one to beat!
Mr Brightside was game in defeat fresh in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes. The Bullbars gelding was only beaten by a rock-hard fit commodity in the shadows, and he strips fitter here in a race he won in grand style last year. His record at the mile is outrageous, and he traditionally excels at this stage of his campaign. From barrier four, he can sit in the one-out-one back position, and if Pride Of Jenni spends her biscuits too early again, he may get the perfect cart into the race. Too classy to pot.
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $2.10
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#2 Storm Boy
Storm Boy scorched the turf first-up. The boom colt resumed with an air of expectation, and the big fella delivered in spades for his camp and his supporters. He strips fitter after his recent romp, and I suspect he will get better the further he steps out in trip this campaign. From the middle gate, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is allowed to dictate throughout, his rivals will be running for the minor end of the prize. The real deal!
Bustling has the ‘X’ factor. The Frosted gelding makes his New South Wales debut for his new trainers, and he sharply turned heads recently at the barrier trials. The talented Western Australian already has an Everest slot, and I suspect his quote will shorten significantly before the barriers open on Saturday. The significant step up in class is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Storm Boy @ $2.20
Rosehill Gardens Race 9
#8 Punch Lane
Punch Lane is flying at present! The So You Think gelding is chasing a hatrick of victories, and I suspect he has a load of residual fitness after a successful Brisbane winter campaign. His recent jumpouts were first-class, and he looks well-placed in this company. The 54kg is a luxury, and I suspect he can land on the bunny with a clean and positive break. An early speed battle and the carpark draw are among the primary concerns.
Celestial Legend resumes after collecting multiple Group 1 victories during his autumn preparation. His win in the Randwick Guineas was first-class, and his triumph in the Doncaster was breathtaking. Two recent trials should have him cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt, and his record at the track must be respected. The 59kg and the shorter trip are his biggest obstacles. It may pay dividends to follow him moving forward.
Suggested Bet: Punch Lane @ $6.00
