As the curtain falls on another Melbourne Cup week, we finish with Champions Stakes Day! The Champions Sprint, The Champions Mile, and The Champions Stakes are a must-watch for all racing fans!
Flemington Race 6
#10 Tentyris
Tentyris was a stunning winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. The Street Boss colt flew from the clouds, and it was arguably the best performance on Derby day. The big boy is super progressive, and I suspect a victory here would silicify him as next year’s Everest favourite. He loves Flemington more than Bart Cummings, and he looks a straight-six specialist. A wet track could be his undoing.
Giga Kick was ultra-impressive first-up at Caulfield after a long break. The Scissor Kick gelding swooped past his rivals at the furlong, and it was an impressive return to the winners’ circle. The Everest winner has an outrageous turn of foot when he is sound, and I suspect he is back to his best after a patient training performance from Clayton Douglas. A win here wouldn’t surprise.
Joliestar was ok without threatening behind the world-class Ka Ying Rising at her latest outing. Her form prior is near faultless, and she boasts a victory up the Flemington straight in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap. The James McDonald and Chris Waller factor must be respected, and I suspect this event is her main spring target. She will figure in the finish with even luck in-transit.
Suggested Bet: Tentyris @ $2.50
Flemington RACE 7
#9 Treasurethe Moment
Treasurethe Moment was braver than Mel Gibson in the W.S. Cox Plate.
The Alabama Express mare looked back to her brilliant best, and it took an absolute champion to grab her in the shadows. A wet track would be advantageous, and her record at the mile must be respected. She is undefeated at Flemington, and I expect her to get the perfect run throughout from an inside alley. Hard to toss!
Mr Brightside is a superstar. The Bullbars gelding is ultra-consistent, and he looks to be on track to defend his title here. The big boy was good without winning the King Charles Iii at Randwick, and he maps into this event perfectly. If he doesn’t have to lead the field up to the tearaway leader, he will chime in when the whips are cracking. Too honest to pot.
Ceolwulf was a brilliant last-start winner of the King Charles Iii at Randwick. The Tavistock gelding put his rivals to the sword a long way from home, and it was a significant return to form. His record at the distance must be respected, and he looks well placed to continue on his winning ways. He may be the last man standing with the predicated frenetic tempo.
Suggested Bet: Treasurethe Moment @ $6.00
Flemington Race 8
#10 Via Sistina
Via Sistina won a romantic and dramatic W.S Cox plate at her latest outing. The champion eight-year-old looked beaten several times inside the final furlong, and the resilient victory was the perfect way to farewell Moonee Valley in the current format. The rising nine-year-old Fastnet Rock mare should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, and her record at the trip is near perfect. Her performance in this race last year was sublime, and I suspect this could be the last time we see her grace a racetrack. In Via we trust!
Attrition is racing well without winning. His performance in the Group 2 Hill Stakes behind Lindermann at Rosehill was a beauty, and he produced an honest effort behind Via Sistina at his latest outing. The Churchill entire always gives his best, and the form around him is elite. He is over the odds, and he is a must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Zambardo can run a race at a decent price. The Belardo gelding is building a picket fence next to his name, and he deserves his opportunity at this level. The key appointment of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jamie Melham should raise eyebrows, and the 2000m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. The significant class rise and the lengthy preparation are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $1.70
Flemington Race 9
#15 Just Like Gaby
Just Like Gaby can run a drum at a decent price. The Pierata mare is overdue for a change of luck, and she looks well placed in this company. Her third-up record is rock-solid, and the 1100m is in her wheelhouse. The wide gate late in the day is advantageous, and I suspect she will look the winner as they run for the doctor. Over the odds!
Stoli Bolli will have plenty of supporters after producing a consistent campaign to date. The Deep Field gelding is always thereabouts, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The James McDonald factor must be respected, and the Hayes camp are airbourne at present. Barrier twelve provides his pilot a menagerie of options in the run, and if he is presented with his burst at the right time, he will figure in the finish. He needs to notch up another victory.
Actuality was an impressive last start winner at Seymour. The Snitzel mare looks talented, and she still has improvement to come for the current preparation. Her record at the trip is near perfect, and I suspect this has been a long-range target from the astute Moody and Coleman camp. This is her hardest test to date, however; she looks progressive. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Just Like Gaby @ $15.00
