Racing heads to Flemington this Saturday for the running of the Deane Lester Flemington Cup. With plenty of value on the card, a healthy local crowd is expected front and centre at headquarters. Around the grounds, Rosehill Gardens host the Listed Winter Challenge, while Eagle Farm is the place to be north of the border.
Flemington Race 6
#8 La Fracas
La Fracas is racing in great spirit. The Night Of Thunder gelding has put two victories together on the bounce, and he meets similar opposition on Saturday. The flying four-year-old is honest and versatile, and I suspect his camp would love to put a Flemington victory on his resume. His record at the trip must be respected, and I suspect this event can springboard him towards some lofty spring goals. The one to beat.
Moby Dick is a frustraing horse to follow. The Toronado gelding always looms to win, and he is usually crunched late in betting at the jump. He should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, and he finds a field of limited horses. He loves Flemington more than Bart Cummings, and his best performance here could prove decisive. He needs to put another victory on the board.
Suggested Bet: La Fracas @ $2.80
Flemington Race 7
#14 Muktamil
Muktamil is a marvel. The Sea The Stars gelding gives 100% each outing, and he looks poised to strike on Saturday. The featherweight is a gift, and the form around him reads extremely well for this event. The longer trip plays into his favour, and the Craig Williams factor will attract plenty of market support. If the big boy is presented with his run at the right time, he can loom to win in the shadows.
Samuel Langhorne is knocking on the door. All efforts this preparation have been good without threatening, and the longer trip is in his wheelhouse. An inside draw will ensure an economical run throughout, and if the Shocking gelding has an interrupted path as heads turn for home, he can make his presence felt late. He needs to put another victory on the board.
Suggested Bet: Muktamil @ $4.00
#6 Milford
Milford can run a drum at a decent price. The Savabeel gelding is racing without a lot of luck, and he has been well supported early doors. The longer trip will suit, and the sting out of the track puts one hoof on the till. From the middle gate the popular seven-year-old will take up a prominent role, and if he is held together and saved up for one devastating sprint, he can cause a boil over. The length of time out of the winners’ circle is the primary concern.
Sayedaty Sadaty will have plenty of supporters after producing an impressive last-start victory at Caulfield. The Anodin gelding will appreciate meeting a similar line-up, and the ten-furlong trip is right up his alley. From the middle gate he will find the bunny and take control of the tempo, and if he is left to his own devices throughout, it could be all over as they run for the doctor. The class rise is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Milford @ $11.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 9
#2 Estadio Mestalla
Suggested Bet: Estadio Mestalla @ $9.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 10
#12 Kerguelen
Kerguelen looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive winter program. The Lonhro gelding meets easier opposition, and I suspect he is about to explode with several pleasing runs under his belt this campaign. The current track conditions suit to a tee, and he finds his pet distance. The handicapper has definitely missed him with 55kg, and he has been well supported since fields were finalised. Acid test!
Little Cointreau can captialise if the favourite has an off-day or experiences traffic issues. The Contributer gelding is knocking on the door, and the Joseph Pride trained galloper hasn’t missed a top 3 finish since Donald Trump was in nappies. The light allocated weight helps his case, and the form around him stacks up. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Kerguelen @ $4.00
Eagle Farm Race 8
#2 Benzou
Benzou is ready to win. The Zousain gelding is racing consistently well, and he finds a winnable assignment here. The flood of early money indicates another bold and forward performance, and the perfect inside draw should give his key rivals nightmare leading into Saturday’s event. His record at Eagle Farm must be respected, and I expect his quote to continue to shorten before they ping the lids. Hard to toss.
Lead Me On looks the obvious threat to the race favourite. The 3kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations, and the longer trip is advantageous. The Brutal gelding possesses a significant turn of hoof, and I suspect he has a huge engine under his bonnet. He caught the eyes of most punters at his latest outing, and I expect him to peak third-up from a spell in this event. Jumping from a different suburb is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Benzou @ $3.00
