Rosehill Gardens and Flemington host typically tough and competitive summer programs this Saturday. With sensational racing and great weather predicated at both venues, find out below who our experts are expecting to announce themselves this weekend!
Rosehill Gardens Race 6
#9 Perfumist
Perfumist is flying at present. The progressive filly made it a hatrick of victories at her latest outing, and she looks well placed here to continue on her winning ways. The El Roca three-year-old will appreciate stepping out in trip, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. This is her biggest test to date.
Oh Diamond Lil will have supporters after dominating her rivals at her previous two starts. The So You Think mare looks promising, and her versatility could prove the winning difference. From barrier four, I expect her to get all the favours in the run, and if she displays her customary turn of foot when required, she will figure in the finish. Acid test.
Suggested Bet: Perfumist @ $3.50
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#2 Converge
Converge is ready to produce a peak run for the campaign. The Frankel gelding has shown glimpses of his best form during the back half of his current spell, and I suspect his next victory is just around the corner. The big boy strips fitter after a solid preparation, and the 2000m looks ideal. Barrier three provides Tim Clark with a menagerie of options, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he will make his presence felt in the shadows. Take on trust.
Osipenko will start race favourite after catching punters’ eyes late at Randwick on Boxing Day. The Pierro gelding was only beaten by the camera, and he put the writing on the wall for a next start victory. The inside draw is ideal, and he meets similar opposition. His recent winning record and the allocated grandstand weight are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Converge @ $5.50
#2 Disneck
Disneck is winning for fun at present. The Trapeze Artist gelding is building a picket fence next to his name, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. The big boy is ready for the step-out trip, and I suspect he will occupy the box seat throughout from the inside draw. The camp are training winners for fun, and the inform Joshua Parr has formed a winning relationship with his well-supported mount. The significant rise in weight is his biggest obstacle.
Cigar Flick has promised the world and delivered a donut this preparation. The Churchill mare has been tossed as favourite at her previous two outings, and she looked a moral beaten the last time she was seen at the races. Her performance first-up behind Isthmus reads well for this event, and if she can produce her best performance on Saturday, she may lap her opponents. Unfortunately, she has the rare ability of finding traffic issues at key stages of a race.
Suggested Bet: Disneck @ $4.00
Flemington Race 7
#1 Manolo Bling
Manolo Bling is coming off a forgive run. The Grunt filly coped a check at a crucial stage and subsequently lost a significant amount of bark from her hind leg. A recent jump-out looked ominous, and the talented three-year-old traditionally performs well after a little freshen-up. Her record at the trip must be respected, and the Freedman-trained runner already boasts a Flemington victory. Great each way value!
Kirribilli will have supporters after producing an impressive debut campaign during the winter. The $1,000,000 Snitzel filly oozes class, and she looks cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt after a sizzling barrier trial at Pakenham. The avalanche of early money indicates a bold performance, and the Blake Shinn and Peter Moody combination must be respected. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Manolo Bling @ $6.00
Flemington Race 8
#3 First Immortal
Deakin will start a short-priced favourite after producing an impressive last-start victory at Pakenham. The progressive Australia gelding boasts some serious international form, and he has looked ultra-professional during his debut campaign down under. The 2000m won’t pose any issues, and the luxurious 53kg puts him into all winning conversations. The significant class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: First Immortal @ $12.00
Flemington Race 9
#6 Verdad
Is It Me is over the odds. The Iffraaj gelding keeps producing sizzling late sectionals, and he has been a victim of circumstance on several occasions this campaign. The consistent five-year-old is rock-hard fit, and he traditionally performs well at Flemington over the seven-furlongs. His horror barrier draw makes his assignment harder than it should be, and his racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
