Group 1 racing returns to Flemington this Saturday for the running of the Makybe Diva Stakes. With an all-star cast assembled and $750,000 up for grabs, Headquarters is a must for all punters and sporting fans alike! In Sydney Town we head west to Rosehill Gardens for the Group 2 Run To The Rose meeting featuring a fantastic card of black-type events. Spring is in the air!
Flemington Race 7
#4 Revelare
Revelare returned to the winners’ circle second-up after producing a below par effort fresh. The So You Think gelding occupied the box-seat throughout, and he put his rivals to the sword as heads turned for home. He meets similar opposition on Saturday, and the step out in trip is advantageous at this campaign stage. The consistent five-year-old is being aimed at the two cups and plate, and I suspect a victory here would catapult the big boy up the order of entry in our time-honoured features. Hard to toss!
Post Impressionist was good without threatening first-up from a spell. The Teofilo gelding strips fitter as a result of his fresh outing, and his recent jump-outs leading into Saturday’s assignment have been first-class. Barrier three will ensure a soft trip throughout, and the James McDonald factor must be respected. I’d prefer to support his case with another run under his belt.
Suggested Bet: Revelare @ $3.00
Flemington Race 8
#5 Via Sistina
Via Sistina is a superstar. The Fastnet Rock mare has won seven out of her past eight events at the top level, and her versatility alone puts her into the champion category. Her win first-up over an unsuitable journey on a bottomless track was arrogant, and I suspect that was the perfect opportunity for her rivals to lower her colours. Her victory in the W.S. Cox plate is still fresh in the memory bank, and the last time we witnessed her presence at headquarters, she put the Champions Stakes field away before they ran for the doctor. She strips fitter as a result of her fresh heroics, and the mile is ideal at this stage of her preparation. James McDonald knows her better than himself, and with even luck in transit, this could be a times and margins job. If you are lucky enough to be trackside, enjoy the headline act of our great sport.
Stablemate Aeliana is the obvious danger who can cause a “polly style boil-over” if the favourite has an off-day or experiences traffic issues. The progressive Castlevecchio mare produced a stunning autumn campaign, and her win against the boys in the Group 1 ATC Derby was nothing short of breathtaking! The step out in trip suits, and she is a winner at the track and distance at her only Flemington attempt. She looks well placed under the weight-for-age scale, and if she can pinch a margin before they fly past the clock tower, she may prove hard to run down. Clear second pick running against the Australasian horse of the year. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $1.90
#6 Abounding
Abounding represents great each-way value. The Rich Enuff mare boasts serious residual fitness from a successful Brisbane winter campaign, and her debut performance in Melbourne turned heads behind Group 1 winning mare Magic Time. The flashy five-year-old deserves her chance at this level, and I suspect headquarters will suit her racing pattern and style. The big girl may need some luck getting off the dulex as they swing for home.
Lazzura has been seriously supported since fields were finalised. The Snitzel mare was a dominant winner fresh at Randwick, and I suspect the camp have some lofty goals picked out for the progressive four-year-old. The James McDonald and Chris Waller combination must be respected, and the current track conditions will suit to a tee. Her record at the track and trip is the primary concern. Major player.
Suggested Bet: Abounding @ $9.00
Rosehill Race 6
#1 Autumn Boy
The undefeated Autumn Boy will have plenty of supporters after producing a string of head-turning barrier trials leading into his fresh assignment. Both victories during the winter were first-class, and the 1400m is ideal for the Autumn Sun colt after a little freshening up. The enigmatic three-year-old handles all track conditions; I suspect he will camp behind the leaders’ back throughout. Hard to hold out!
Sixties is coming off a forgive run. The Flying Artie colt covered more ground than the early settlers throughout, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forget that he went around. His form prior reads well for this event, and if he can find the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the contest, he can upset his more fancied and credentialed rivals. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Boy @ $2.70
Rosehill Race 7
#2 Joliestar
Joliestar will start one of the shortest priced favourites on the program. The Zoustar mare resumes after producing a stunning victory in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, and the form around her has repeatedly stood up. Her recent trials have been tradesman-like, and I suspect she is ready for another tilt at the greatest mountain of them all. The Everest bound mare is a 1200m specialist, and her first-up record is too good to ignore. I suspect a dry track would see jump in the red. Speed machine!
Stefi Magnetica resumes after producing a stunning autumn campaign. The All Too Hard mare claimed the time-honoured Doncaster Handicap, and she raced gamely at the elite level the entire preparation. She always races honestly fresh, and the predicted soft track condition plays into her favour. I’d prefer to support her case over further and deeper into her campaign. Watch for her late savaging the line!
Suggested Bet: Joliestar @ $2.20
Rosehill Race 8
#10 Wodeton
Wodeton was stopped in his tracks at a crucial stage first-up from a spell. I suspect he still would have finished in the bridesmaid position, and he strips fitter as a result of his luckless performance. The step out in trip is advantageous, and the sting out of the track puts him into all winning conversations. From barrier eleven the big boy will slide back and find his hooves, and if he can stay in touch with the frenetic tearaway leader during the middle stages of the race, he can swoop his rivals late. I fear he may not be fully wound-up until his third-up assignment, the Group 1 Golden Rose.
Raging Force is chasing five victories on the bounce. The Cosmic Force gelding goes faster than last week’s pay, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. He steps out to the six-furlongs for the first time, and he has been met with some significant market support early doors. The front-running three-year-old simply doesn’t know how to produce a poor run, and a victory here could book a trip to Flemington for the Group1 Coolmore Stakes. Biggest test to date.
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $5.00
