Our oldest tradition, the Victoria Derby, headlines a ‘Super Saturday’ of racing at Flemington. Royal Randwick hosts the $10,000,000 Golden Eagle meeting.
Flemington RACE 6
#1 The Next Episode
The Next Episode burned the turf late to score in the shadows at headquarters. The Flemington straight suits his racing pattern and style, and the longer trip is advantageous. The wide gate is a positive late in the day, and his opening quote has been crunched. His exposed form reads well for this event, and the camp has placed him perfectly. The one to beat!
Natural Fling is super honest. The Home Affairs filly has only gone down narrowly at her latest two outings, and the form around her puts her in good shape for Saturday. She will pilot the field with a clean break, and she will look the winner as they run for the doctor. The last 100m is her biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: The Next Episode @ $3.80
Flemington Race 7
#1 Cormier
Cormier is ready to explode after producing a solid preparation to date. The Maurice colt has form around some serious gallopers, and he has been crying out for the longer trip since the moon landing. The perfect inside draw will provide the perfect run in-transit, and the addition of the inform Jamie Mott could prove decisive. He is ultra-progressive, and I expect him to reach a new level on the quick backup. Hard to toss!
True Rebel is a winning chance despite drawing the carpark. The True Rebel gelding claimed a hot form race at Flemington on Cox Plate day, and he looks well placed meeting the usual suspects. The big boy will eat up every inch of the 2500m, and I expect his quote will continue to shorten before barriers open. His versatility alone puts him into the mix, and Billy Egan knows him better then himself. If he can find a spot during the early stages of the event, he can present to win inside the final furlong. Too classy to pot!
Suggested Bet: Cormier @ $5.00
#3 Surfin' Bird
Surfin’ Bird was a brilliant last-start winner at Flemington. The Autumn Sun mare looks dangerous on the quick back-up, and she deserves her shot at Group 1 glory. The mile suits, and the key booking of Blake Shinn could prove decisive. The talented five-year-old mare is chasing a hat-trick of victories, and the early market support indicates another bold and forward performance. She will give a good sight.
Lady Shenandoah broke through for a deserved victory in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap. The consistent mare was given a peach of a ride from James McDonald, and she snatched victory from the jaws of defeated right on the button. She looks well placed under the weight conditions, and the current track conditions suit her to a tee. I am concerned this event may be an afterthought.
Suggested Bet: Surfin’ Bird @ $5.00
Flemington Race 9
#15 Photograph
Photograph looks a silly price. The Blue Point mare made decent ground against the significant bias at her latest outing at the Heath, and she ran a luckless fourth in this event last year. I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals, and she will be attacking the wire with even luck throughout. The 1100m is her pet distance, and she races generously on all surfaces. Over the odds!
Inkaruna is ready to score. All runs this campaign have been good without winning, and the I Am Invincible mare finds the right assignment on Saturday. Her opening quote went faster than last weeks’ pay, and the key booking of Craig Williams could prove the winning difference. She tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Photograph @ $31.00
Royal Randwick Race 8
#16 Sheza Alibi
Sheza Alibi ran the third fastest time ever at Caulfield over 2000m at her latest outing. Despite her blistering effort, the talented mare had her colours lowered, and I suspect the camp are out for redemption on Saturday. The drop to 1500m is a significant challenge, however; she is the real deal. The middle draw provides champion hoop Luke Nolen multiple options in the run, and I suspect this has been her target race all campaign. A possible flat run is the primary concern.
Autumn Boy is coming off a forgive run in the Group 1 Epsom. The big boy saw more dead ends than a horror film, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget his latest outing. The 1500m suits the talented four-year-old entirely, and he always pushes Sheza Alibi during the concluding stages of a contest. The world-class Zac Purton takes the mount, and the middle draw plays into his favour. The clear danger to the short-priced commodity.
Suggested Bet: Sheza Alibi @ $1.80
Royal Randwick Race 9
#14 Barrengarry
Barrengarry is a model of consistency. The Ghaiyyath gelding is never far away, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. The 53kg is a luxury, and the flying Dylan Gibbons takes the mount. The form around him has been franked, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the current preparation. His hardest test to date, however, this looks like an ideal assignment.
Starzintheireyes is overdue for a victory. The significant drop in grade suits, and he should be rock-hard fit after lengthy, consistent preparation. The inside draw is advantageous, and the flood of early money tells a story. He comes in extremely well at the weights, and a win here would be a great reward for effort and consistency. He is having trouble breaking through since arriving in Australia.
Suggested Bet: Barrengarry @ $6.00
