The Group 1 Victoria Derby is the feature event this Saturday at Flemington. Our oldest traditional always attracts a quality field of three-year-olds, and with $2,000,000 up for grabs, it is a race all trainers, jockeys, and owners want to win! The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes will also play a significant role during the spectacular meeting. The $10,000,000 Golden Eagle will have punters flocking to Royal Randwick in old Sydney town. The once ‘Pop up’ or ‘Novelty’ race has now cemented its spot during Melbourne Cup week.
Flemington Race 6
#3 Tentyris
Tentyris was a brilliant last-start winner of the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield. The Street Boss colt came from an impossible spot as they ran for the doctor, and he got the job done right on the wire. He will come on leaps and bounds after his second-up heroics, and he is a third-up specialist. His fresh run at Flemington was good on the wrong part of the track, and I suspect Saturday is his grand final. Mark Zahra could ride a broomstick to victory at present, and I expect the dynamic duo will jump as race favourites. Hard to toss!
Beadman was a good thing licked at his latest outing. The Snitzel colt was held up at a crucial stage of the race, and it was a hard watch for his supporters. The impressive three-year-old loves the six-furlong scamper, and I suspect he is ready to peak in the time-honoured event. The Blake Shinn factor must be respected, and his camp are on fire at present. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Tentyris @ $4.00
Flemington Race 7
#1 Observer
Observer was an arrogant winner of the Group 2 Vase at Moonee Valley at his latest outing. The Ghaiyyath colt put this rivals to the sword a long way from home, and I suspect there was plenty of petrol left in the tank. Mark Zahra eased the big boy down inside the final furlong, and the fat lady was in full voice, as were the punters that took the skinny odds. The quick back-up is advantageous, and the longer trip will play into his favour. He was ok without threatening on his Flemington debut, and his versatility alone puts him into all winning calculations. The progressive three-year-old has a sense of timing about him, and the blue army seem to be hitting their straps at the right time. If he is presented with his run at the right time, his rivals will be racing for the minor end of the prize.
Providence caught the eyes of punters late behind the short-priced favourite. Yes the bird had flown, however; the Wootton Bassett colt savaged the line from a different suburb, and he produced the perfect Derby trial. He scorched the turf, and he broke all on-course clocks in the process. The longer trip will suit, and I suspect he is ready to peak on Saturday over a more suitable journey. The Chris Waller factor must be respected, and if the favourite experiences traffic issues, or fails to run out a true Derby trip, he is the one that will be finishing the strongest. Major player and danger!
Suggested Bet: Observer @ $2.10
#3 Abounding
Abounding represents great each-way value. The Rich Enuff mare is racing extremely well at present, and her last-start victory at Caulfield was a beauty! She was unlucky at The Valley two starts back, and she has rubbed shoulders with some serious gallopers this campaign. I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals after a lengthy preparation, and I expect her to prove too strong late. The perfect inside draw should put her key rivals on notice, and the key appointment of Jamie Melham speaks volumes. Over the odds!
Fangirl was slightly disappointing at her latest outing at Royal Randwick. She was super when beating the flying Lindermann two-starts back in the shadows, and she looks extremely well placed in this class. Her record at the journey is exceptional, and she loves Flemington more than Makybediva. The Sebring mare meets easier opposition, and she has been smashed in most-all in markets. She will be giving her rivals a headstart, however; she can chime in as they pass the clock-tower.
Suggested Bet: Abounding @ $11.00
Flemington Race 9
#6 Generosity
Generosity is knocking on the door. The Divine Prophet mare was stiff fresh, and her close-up performance behind Joliestar and Briasa second-up reads incredibly well for this event. The consistent five-year-old had genuine excuses in the Sydney Stakes at her latest outing, and I suspect she is ready to peak at headquarters on the big stage. She comes in extremely well at the weights, and the drop back to 1100m could prove decisive. I am yet to decide if barrier one is advantageous up the straight late in the day.
Soft Love is ready to win. The Pierata mare caught the eyes of punters fresh in the Alinghi at Caulfield, and the big girl looks well placed in this company. Her record at the trip must be respected, and she did everything but win at her only Flemington appearance in June. The flying Harry Coffey has a winning association with the Matt Laurie trained galloper, and her opening quote disappeared quicker than my hairline. She will be thereabouts with even luck in-transit.
Royal Randwick Race 7
#4 Private Eye
Private Eye is a model of consistency. All runs this preparation have wound back the clock, and his latest victory at Caulfield was arrogant. The rising nine-year-old who won this event in 2022 will appreciate the 1300m, and I suspect this race has been his long-range target, not an after-thought, unlike several of his key rivals. The current track conditions will suit, and his versatility alone puts him into all winning calculations. He may need some like from the tricky gate!
Jimmysstar will start a short-priced favourite after a brilliant performance in the Everest. The Per Incanto gelding stuck on gamely despite being ridden upside down, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result of his resilient performance. Barrier four will allow him a soft trip in-transit, and if he sees daylight as they climb the famous Randwick Rise, he can overpower his rivals late. His recent winning record and a tough run at his latest outing are among the primary concerns.
Royal Randwick Race 8
#14 Autumn Glow
Autumn Glow faces her biggest test to date in the $10,000,000 Golden Eagle. “Baby Winx” or “Little Caviar” remains undefeated, and her effort in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap was mouthwatering. The Autumn Sun mare clocked the third fastest time in the events history despite covering more ground than the early settlers throughout. The booking of James ‘Cox Plate’ McDonald should give her supporters plenty of confidence, and she loves Randwick more than T.J. Smith. She handles all track conditions, and I suspect this has been her major spring goal all along. The tricky gate and the longer trip are the biggest deterrents.
Linebacker was a dominant winner of the Silver Eagle. The Super Seth gelding never saw the track throughout, and he was braver than Mel Gibson as heads turned for home. The step out in trip will suit, and he traditionally performs well at this stage of his preparation. His jump-out with Kay Ying Rising was more impressive than Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and I suspect he is in the zone of his career. The form around him is elite, and I expect him to make his presence felt inside the final furlong on Saturday.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Glow@ $2.15
