The Group 1 Victoria Derby is the feature event this Saturday at Flemington. Our oldest traditional always attracts a quality field of three-year-olds, and with $2,000,000 up for grabs, it is a race all trainers, jockeys, and owners want to win! The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes will also play a significant role during the spectacular meeting. The $10,000,000 Golden Eagle will have punters flocking to Rosehill Gardens in Sydney town. The once ‘Pop up’ or ‘Novelty’ race has now cemented its spot during Melbourne Cup week.
Flemington Race 6
#6 Switzerland
Switzerland has a sense of timing. The Snitzel colt was a brilliant last-start winner of the Roman Consul, and he has recently turned heads with a string of ultra-impressive Flemington jumpouts. His sizzling late sectionals broke the clock at his latest outing, and I suspect he has more improvement to come for the campaign than his rivals. The James McDonald and Chris Waller combination must be respected, and he has been specked at a price since acceptances. Hard to toss!
Traffic Warden was scratched at gates in the Everest. His form prior was tasty, and I suspect the camp will be out for redemption on Saturday. His performance behind the Cox plate placed Broadsiding in the Golden Rose reads extremely well for this event, and I expect him to thrive down the long Flemington home straight. He needs to bring his best race-day manners.
Suggested Bet: Switzerland @ $6.50
Flemington Race 7
#3 Keeneland
Keeneland is ready to explode. The Almanzor gelding was beaten in a farcical sit and sprint at his latest outing, and he has been crying out for the 2500m since he fell off his first dinosaur. His win at Flemington in the Super Impose was first-class, and the form around him has repeatedly stood up. Over the odds, and he looks extremely hard to beat if his rivals make it a true staying event.
Red Aces was a brilliant last-start winner at Moonee Valley. The Dundeel colt occupied the box seat throughout and got the job done in the shadows. The big boy should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, and I suspect the longer trip will play into his favour. From barrier four, he can camp on the leader’s back, and if the gaps appear as they run for the doctor, I expect him to figure in the finish. Major player.
Suggested Bet: Keeneland @ $10.00
#3 Orchestral
Orchestral has been good without winning this campaign. Her first-up run caught the eyes over an unsuitable distance, and she savaged the line at her latest outing once she found clear air. The Savabeel mare should have finished closer to the tearaway winner, Antino, in the Group 1 Toorak, and I suspect she has been trained to the minute for her third-up assignment. From the wide gate, she will slide back and watch the race unfold. If Mark Zahra presses the go button at the right time, she can prove to be too strong in the shadows. World-class!
Atishu was good late against the track bias at Caulfield. The Savabeel mare was only beaten a pimple in this event last year by Pride Of Jenni, and I suspect this race has been a long-range target from the inform camp. The seven-year-old marvel should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy preparation, and her record at the track and distance speaks volumes. She will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Orchestral @ $7.50
Flemington Race 9
#17 Isthmus
Isthmus is over the odds. The I Am Invincible mare started her spring campaign with back-to-back victories, and she was a victim of circumstances at her latest outing. The talented four-year-old was checked as they ran for the judge, and she was lucky to stay on her feet. She is an 1100m specialist and loves Flemington more than Makybediva. Watch for her swooping late!
Pharari comes to Melbourne up and about! The American Pharoah mare has hardly put a hoof wrong this campaign and has been racking up victories for fun. She stays at her pet distance, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals. The wide draw will suit late in the day, and I suspect she will have the last crack at them inside the final furlong. Her barrier manners are the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Isthmus @ $10.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#4 Sunshine In Paris
Sunshine In Paris was good late in the $20,000,000 Everest. The Invader mare was tardy out the gates, and she never looked a winning chance racing wide throughout. The step out to 1300m is advantageous, and I suspect she will strip fitter after her climb up the greatest mountain of them all. Her record at the track is near perfect, and I suspect she has more improvement to come for the preparation than her rivals. Watch out for her powerful turn of foot late.
Bella Nipotina was braver than Mel Gibson in the Everest. The Pride Of Dubai mare sat three wide on top a hot tempo, and she was beyond gritty in the shadows when it mattered the most. The freakish seven-year-old doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and despite lining up for her fifty-sixth career start, she seems to be getting better with racing. I fear she may have peaked in her grand final a fortnight ago.
Suggested Bet: Sunshine In Paris@ $5.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#12 Lazzat
Lazzat makes his Australian debut after establishing a perfect career record to date in France. The undefeated Territories gelding oozes class, and he has already tasted Group 1 success in his homeland. The enigmatic four-year-old looks to have the world at his feet, and his versatility is ultra-impressive. 1500m is arguably his best trip, and he will be steaming home when the whips are cracking. Too brilliant to dismiss!
Ascoli Piceno arrives down under with bigger wraps than a house full of Christmas presents. The Daiwa Major mare has divine Japanese form, and she has performed incredibly well at the top level for the majority of her career. The company she has kept is remarkable, and she arguably should remain undefeated. If she can find the bunny uncontested from the horrendous barrier draw, the race could be over before patrons return to their seat. Her fate may be determined during the first furlong.
Suggested Bet: Lazzat @ $6.00
