A strong and competitive winter program comes to us from Flemington this Saturday! As we edge closer to the VRC Winter Championship Finals, Saturday’s meeting will play an important form guide moving forward.
Flemington Race 6
#1 King Magnus
King Magnus is flying this preparation. The Magnus gelding put back-to-back wins together at Flemington, and he looks well placed to make it a hat-trick of wins on Saturday. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and he looks hard to toss after the apprentice claim. The middle gate will provide multiple options for Thomas Stockdale, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish again.
Riddle Me That is racing well without winning. The Deep Field gelding caught the eye last start behind the inform Pinstriped, and the drop back in distance could prove the winning difference. The rising seven-year-old deserves his shot at this level, and I suspect a peak performance for the preparation is just around the corner!
Wicklow Town is ready to explode. Both runs this campaign have been full of merit, and I expect this event has been a long-range target. He gets in well at the weights with 54kg, and if he can find some cover from the awkward barrier, he can figure. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: King Magnus @ $4.80
Flemington RACE 7
#1 Jimmy The Bear
Jimmy The Bear looks poised to strike third-up from a spell. His last-start performance over 1400m behind King Magnus was eye-catching, and the step out to the mile on Saturday looks ideal. From barrier three, I expect him to get the run of the race, and if he brings his best performance on Saturday, he could win this event in a canter.
Bermadez was luckless last-start. The Tavistock gelding was blocked for a run at a crucial stage, and he will get his chance to make amends here. The step out to the mile suits, and his best form reads incredibly well for this event. The tricky gate is his biggest obstacle.
Brayden Star was a brilliant winner, second-up at Sandown. The Twilight Son gelding strips fitter here, and he looks dangerous jumping from an inside barrier. He is a winner over the mile previously, and if the leaders spend their pennies early, he can box seat and win. The step up in class is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Jimmy The Bear @ $7.00
Flemington Race 8
#2 Euphoric
Euphoric snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory last start. The Sebring gelding took tiny steps late, and he was grabbed in the last stride. Prior to his first defeat of the campaign, he put back-to-back wins together at Pakenham and Flemington, and he looks well placed to jump back in the winner’s circle on Saturday. He will roll forward from barrier three, and if he can dictate the tempo throughout, the race could be over at the clock tower.
Artzino will have supporters after an impressive return to racing at Sandown. The Tarzino gelding savaged the line late, and he put the writing on the wall for a forward second-up performance. The step out to 2000m is advantageous, and the early market support indicates he is cherry ripe. The Price and Kent polish must be respected.
Bitcoin is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The former international was impressive at his Australian debut, and I expect him to improve second-up for his new stable. If the predicted rain arrives, his quote will significantly shorten, and if he can find a spot in the running line throughout, he can make his presence felt late. Over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Euphoric @ $3.40
Flemington Race 9
#6 Clock Strikes
Clock Strikes is ticking along nicely. The Zoustar gelding looked the winner last-start before fading in the shadows of the post. The rising four-year-old is rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and from the perfect inside barrier on Saturday, he can lead them in a merry dance. If you have a live ticket with his name on it, hold your breath for the last 50m!
Kin will start favourite after a consistent campaign. The Impending filly meets easier opposition here, and her best form puts her in the finish. Barrier fifteen could prove fruitful up the famous Flemington straight late in the day, and the required speed to suit her racing pattern and style is predicted. Hard to toss!
Setteveli is flying this preparation. The Astern gelding was a dominant winner at Mornington last start, and he deserves his shot at this level. The drop back to 1100m could prove a winning move, and I suspect he will get the perfect cart into the race from barrier two. He has already been specked at a decent price, and if the heavens open, he will attract further market support. He will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Clock Strikes @ $12.00
