Flemington form, odds and free selections, Saturday January 28
THE temperatures are scorching in Melbourne and the thoroughbreds are set to scorch the track at Flemington this Saturday.
The fields are also starting to heat up as racing heads into a busy autumn period and there are nine quality races on the card, which includes the $250,000 Inglis Dash and the Listed Kensington Stakes.
CrownBet is running a great promotion where punters will get rewards points (up to $50 worth) if your horse finishes second or third in the first four races at Flemington on Saturday.
The meeting kicks off with the Doriemus 3YO Handicap where some talent three-year-old fillies are in action.
Race 1 – Doriemus 3YO Handicap (1100m)
Pearl Congenial has hit top form this campaign with back-to-back wins. The Robert Smerdon-trained filly just held on with a light weight last start and this is a much harder task. It has improved nicely so punters should expect a solid effort at odds of $4.
Jennifer Lynn is the quality runner of the field, but it is suspect at this distance. The Darren Weir-trained filly has won four from six starts, which includes a Lexus Hybrid win at Flemington, but the 1100m will be short of its best. It opened at $2.80 and has dropped into $2.60, which suggests it’s a top chance.
Scappare put two wins together earlier this preparation before running fourth last start. It has been well-supported at $4.80, but this is a tough assignment and it might be step too far this campaign.
Race 1 tip: Jennifer Lynn to win ($2.60) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Owner.racing.com R84 Handicap (1400m)
Cat’s Wish is a capable mare which has needed both runs back this campaign. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained runner fought on well at Sandown last start in an easier grade, but it has competed well at this level in the past and Craig Williams takes the ride. Each way chance at $5.50.
Cruising Speed either wins or disappoints, which can frustrate punters. The four-year-old mare gets the inside draw which is ideal for this and it was running on well two back in the Colin McAlpine Stakes at Eagle Farm. Punters will have to take $6 on offer, but it’s a winning hope.
Diamond Baroness scored an impressive win last start at Pakenham by 2.25 lengths and it goes best at this distance. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare rarely goes a bad race and it only needs some early luck from the wide draw. This track will suit and it’s the current $3.50 favourite.
Race 2 tip: Cat’s Wish to place ($2.10) at Bet365.com
Race 3 – ATA Celebrates 50 Years R78 Handicap (1400m)
Mr Sneaky didn’t have the best of luck last start at Moonee Valley and it can atone here. The Freedman-trained gelding was held up in the straight when it had plenty to offer and its win two back was solid. It looks a nice chance at odds of $3.50.
Toorak Cowboy won an excellent form race at Sandown two starts back, but it was unable to back that up last time out. The Pat Carey-trained gelding dropped back in distance, which doesn’t suit Carey-trained runners and the rise to 1400m is ideal here. This isn’t an easy race and its current odds of $31 represent that, but it’s worth an each way bet.
Widgee Turf was no match for race-rival Oak Door last start, but it ran on stylishly and it’s better off in the weights. The Patrick Payne-trained three-year-old won on this track in December when beating a quality field and a repeat effort sees it winning here at $3.50.
Race 3 tip: Widgee Turf to win ($3.50) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 4 – @FlemingtonVRC R78 Handicap (1600m)
Portman put two wins together to kick off this campaign before running second behind the talented Snitzson last start. The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding has placed in both starts on this track and the drop in weight to 52.5kg is ideal. Punters are expecting a good showing at $3.30 and so are we.
Hokkaido is a handy five-year-old which didn’t have the best of runs last start. It was forced to run wide in the open and it wasn’t able to continue its wide run. It has drawn well for this and shouldn’t be discounted at $6.50.
Von Classic Hero has won four from 19, which includes its last two. The five-year-old is twice a winner at this distance and it should be suited by the mile again. Jordan Childs takes some weight off its back so consider here.
Race 4 tip: Portman to win ($3.30) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Bitalli Handicap (2000m)
Master Of Arts produced a good finish for fourth last start which made it three consecutive fourths to open its campaign. The five-year-old will appreciate another run at this distance where it has won two from six starts, and it looks well-suited to this grade. It is the current $3.90 favourite.
Flying Light went forward last start and was unable to continue with the effort. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding goes best on this track with two wins and two placings, and it rarely missed the money at this distance. The drop in weight suits and it could be a contender at $6.50.
Chance To Dance has a fair amount of class and it looks prime after two runs this campaign. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding is a four-time winner at this distance and although it hasn’t performed well at Flemington in the past, it went close last start and it will build from that.
Race 5 tip: Chance To Dance to place ($2.35) at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Inglis 3YO Dash (1100m)
Barthelona is a professional type which has won three from five. The Michael Moroney-trained colt was narrowly beaten last time out at Flemington and its only poor effort came in the Blue Sapphire Stakes behind Flying Artie. It should get a nice run down the Flemington straight.
Fuhryk has rattled off three consecutive wins and it looks a horse on the way up. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained filly defeated Widgee Turf at Moonee Valley last start and the bigger track of Flemington should suit nicely. It stays at a nice weight of 55kg and it looks a strong contender at $4.80.
Artie Dee Two showed good pace in its first campaign. The Weir-trained colt won its first two races before being outclassed in the Vain Stakes against Russian Revolution. It’s had a good break after running ninth at Geelong and the $10 suggests it has returned in solid order.
Race 6 tip: Fuhryk to win ($4.80) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Kensington Stakes (1000m)
El Divino has firmed in from $8.50 to $6.50 as it resumes for new trainer Darren Weir. The three-year-old brother to Winx showed good ability for the Waterhouse/Bott combination, but its form tapered off towards the end of its campaign. It has produced some good runs behind Astern and follow any further betting moves for the quality runner.
Hellbent is the shortest-priced favourite of the day at $1.70, but it has drifted out from its opening quote of $1.60. The Weir-trained horse produced a good finish behind Redzel last start and its efforts prior included back-to-back wins over quality fields. The price is short, but everything is in its favour.
Tivaci is looking to rebound after a poor showing in the Mackinnon Stakes. The four-year-old has been specked at odds in this and punters will be hoping it can replicate the form it showed prior where it finished third in the Cantala Stakes and third in the Toorak Handicap. It likes this track so consider it here.
Race 7 tip: Hellbent to win ($1.70) at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 8 – Patrobas R84 Handicap (1400m)
Top Me Up is only a three-win gelding, but it has plenty of ability and should be considered. The four-year-old by Exceed And Excel finished fourth in the Chester Manifold last start and this is an easier target. It stays at a respectable weight and $4.20 suggests it can win.
Divine Mr Artie is a past winner at Flemington which made late ground in the Chester Manifold last start. The Brendan McCarthy-trained gelding got too far back in the run, but it should get a good run in this with Williams riding. Each way hope at $5.50.
Duibio is a last start winner which scored nicely at Ballarat. The five-year-old is twice a winner at Flemington and a three-time winner at this distance. It has form behind some nice types and punters are confident at $3.60.
Race 8 tip: Top Me Up to place ($1.70) at Bet365.com
Race 9 – VRC Young Members R84 Handicap (1800m)
Hipparchus is a solid chance at $4.20 after being unlucky last start. The five-year-old placed in its only start at Flemington and it has been building towards a win. The Waller-trained runner looks a chance and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Battlecamp hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, but it has been well-backed to win. The Freedman-trained gelding is currently at $4.20 for this despite finishing sixth in a much easier race last start. The four-year-old drops in weight and Williams rides which could help.
Gervais has won twice from its last three starts and the former Sydney runner should be considered. It gets in here with a good weight and it has each way claims at $6.50.
Race 9 tip: Hipparchus to win ($4.20) at CrownBet.com.au