Flemington races free preview & best bets | May 17, 2025
| What | Andrew Ramsden Race Day |
| Where | Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 |
| When | Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
| First Race | 11:55am AEST |
The Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) headlines a competitive nine-race meeting at Flemington this Saturday, with the feature winner earning a golden ticket into the 2025 Melbourne Cup. Up to 10mm of rain is forecast for race day, so the track rating is likely to end up in the Soft range throughout the card. The rail comes out 4m for the entire circuit, with the Flemington races set to commence at 11:55am AEST.
Andrew Ramsden Tip: Smokin’ Romans
Smokin’ Romans lugged the topweight of 59kg to win the Warrnambool Cup last time out, and as the lone Group 1 winner in the field, he brings an element of class to Saturday’s feature. From barrier 15, Linda Meech will look to be leading the field up by the first turn. With a strong wet track record (18: 4-6-0), if Smokin’ Romans gets an uncontested lead, he will be booking his spot on the first Tuesday in November.
Andrew Ramsden
Race 7 – 
#1 Smokin’ Romans (15)
7yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Linda Meech (58.5kg)
Straight Six Tip: Lim’s Kosciuszko
Former Singapore superstar Lim’s Kosciuszko will be giving his rivals at least 6kg at the weights in the Listed Straight Six (1200m). However, with 10 Group 1 wins behind him, seven first-up wins from as many starts, and 12 wins from 13 goes at the trip, he looks very hard to beat on his Australian debut. A solid lead-up trial suggests he has acclimatised well, and with the right run in transit, Lim’s Kosciuszko will take some holding out.
Straight Six
Race 6 – 
#1 Lim’s Kosciuszko (14)
7yo Gelding | T: Dan Meagher | J: Ben Melham (60.5kg)
Best Bet at Flemington: Naina
Since breaking her maiden at Kyneton first-up, the Chris Waller-trained Naina has not done much wrong, albeit without winning again. The three-year-old filly now steps up to 2000m for the first time, which is a promising move given how she hit the line over 1700m at Geelong last time out. Ben Melham will give the Pierro filly the run of the race from barrier three, and if the pair can get off the fence at the top of the straight, Naina’s should have the speed to overhaul her rivals.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#12 Naina (3)
3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Ben Melham (54kg)
Next Best at Flemington: Daggers
Daggers comes back to Flemington following a four-length defeat behind subsequent Group 1 winner Reserve Bank in a race where he had no favours in running. The three-year-old colt was obliged to travel wide with no cover at the rear over 1200m and still had the audacity to hit the line strongly, meaning the 1400m could be right up his alley. As long as Ben Melham can find a bum to follow into the race, Daggers will be humming down the heart of the track late and should prove hard to hold out.
Next Best
Race 4 – 
#5 Daggers (8)
3yo Colt | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Ben Melham (58.5kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Flemington
Flemington quadrella selections
Saturday, May 17, 2025
- 1-2-3-11
- 1-3-8-12-18
- 1-5-9-10-13
- 5-8-12-17
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