Australian Guineas is the main event this Saturday at Flemington. Can anyone beat the Victoria Derby winner Observer who put his rivals to the sword first-up at Caulfield? With a host of Group and Listed events also featuring on the stunning program, headquarters is the place to be! In New Soth Wales, Royal Randwick will be rocking with punters for the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes and Surround Stakes. Will the new super star of racing Autumn Glow extend her winning streak? Autumn racing has never looked so good!
Flemington Race 7
#2 Apulia
Apulia is flying! The Fiorente entire is winning for fun at present, and he returns to headquarters up and about. His victories in the west have been elite, and the Hayes camp should be commended for their training performance with the resilient galloper. The form around him is exceptional, and the current track conditions suit him to a tee. I suspect it may pay dividends to follow the big boy during the autumn and beyond.
Birdman is ultra-consistent. The Free Eagle gelding caught the eyes of punters fresh, and he put the writing on the wall for a winning second-up performance. The Chris Waller polish plays a role, and the flood of early money tells a story. He will look the winner at the clock tower; however, he has been known to shy away from the camera.
Suggested Bet: Apulia @ $4.00
Flemington Race 8
#1 Observer
Observer was a brilliant winner fresh at Caulfield. The Victoria Derby winner controlled the race throughout, and his rivals were chasing their tails for the majority of the event. The mile is the logical progression at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect another dominant performance here would set up a date with an Australian Cup. He strips fitter as a result of his first-up performance, and barring a mishap in the run, I expect his rivals to be racing for the minor end of the prize. A quality competitor!
Planet Red produced an eye-catching performance first-up at Caulfield. The Admire Mars gelding savaged the line from a different suburb, and I suspect he is trained to the minute for his Group 1 assignment. He is the likely danger to the favourite, and the mile is ideal second-up from a spell. He has been well supported in most all-in markets, and I expect him to explode on Saturday. Watch for the big boy late!
Suggested Bet: Observer @ $2.30
#3 Alpha Sofie
Alpha Sofie was ultra-impressive first-up at Caulfield. The Capitalist filly covered more ground than Burke and Wills; however, she still powered through the line late. I expect her to improve second-up, and her record at the trip is near perfect. The camp is flying at present, and a victory here could catapult the little pocket rocket into some serious autumn events. Upside for days!
Getta Good Feeling resumes after a stellar spring campaign. The Group 2 Wakeful winner was game in defeat as the favourite in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, and I suspect she has the autumn at her mercy. Her jump-outs leading into this event have been first-class, and I guess she is in on an Australasian Oaks path. I’d prefer to support her case over further and deeper into her campaign.
Suggested Bet: Alpha Sofie @ $2.50
Randwick Race 6
#4 Verona Rose
Verona Rose was huge from a minute back fresh at Royal Randwick. She chased the inform Weeping Women during the final furlong, and she broke the on-course clocks in the process. The step out trip is advantageous, and her record second-up must be respected. Her victory on Oaks Day at Flemington is still fresh in the memory bank, and I suspect a victory here would set the platform for a serious autumn campaign. Hard to toss
Manaal entered most punters’ little black-books after a flashing first-up performance. Her second-up record must be respected, and the current track conditions play into her favour. The longer trip will suit at this stage of her preparation and career, and she is too classy to dismiss. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Verona Rose @ $6.00
Randwick Race 7
#1 Tempted
Tempted looked like Black Caviar on resumption. The Street Boss filly won with a leg in the air, and I suspect she has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign. She looks remarkably well placed against her own age and sex, however; is the 1400m is a slight concern? The inside draw will help her run out a strong seven furlongs, and the Ciaron Maher factor always plays a role. Clearly the one to beat!
Apocalyptic burnt the punters fresh. The Extreme Choice filly was slow away and never looked likely throughout, despite jumping at $1.45. She strips fitter, and I expect her to relish the longer trip on Saturday. The middle draw gives the inform Tommy Berry a menagerie of options, and I suspect she will loom to win as they run for the doctor. Hard to endorse after such a disappointing showing first-up.
Suggested Bet: Tempted @ $1.60
Randwick Race 8
#8 Autumn Glow
We are running out of sentiments to say about the untapped and undefeated Autumn Glow. ‘Baby Winx’ or ‘Little Caviar’ keeps rising to the challenge, and her first-up performance was arguably her most impressive. She put a field of Group 1 champions to the sword, and her winning journey among the general public is starting to grow. A dominant victory on Saturday would add another feather to her cap, and I suspect a date with the time-honoured Doncaster is already pencilled in. The real deal!
Sir Delius is the intriguing runner of the field. The big boy took the spring by storm, and his victories over Via Sistina and Alieana read incredibly well for this event. His spring was cut short by Racing Victoria precautionary scans, and I suspect the camp are out for redemption over the coming months. His international form is superior, and if he is fully wound up for a first-up tilt, watch out! He may need a run or two under his belt before peaking.
Suggested Bet: @ $1.35 Autumn Glow
