Flemington races preview & top betting tips | Saturday, May 18

May 16, 2024 5:30 pm.

Flemington tips

What	Andrew Ramsden Stakes Day
Where	Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031
When	Saturday, May 18, 2024
First Race	11:35am AEST
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The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) headlines Saturday’s program at Flemington, with the winner of the $500,000 feature earning a ticket into the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The rail is out +4m for the entire circuit, and although there are some minor showers predicted in the lead-up, don’t expect the surface to be downgraded from the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances. The action is set to get underway at 11:35am local time.

Andrew Ramsden Stakes Tip: Lionel

Lionel was starting to get warm going through the wire at Mornington on April 20 and appears primed for a second-up assault. The European import is a genuine stayer, with his best form — including his only victory, at Goodwood in May 2022 — coming over the 2253m. This race lacks tempo, so although it may be against his pattern to lead, watch for Ethan Brown to ping the lids from stall eight and allow Lionel to turn the 2024 Andrew Ramsden Stakes into a true staying test.

Andrew Ramsden Stakes

Race 8 – #9 Lionel (8)

5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (58.5kg)

+600 with Bet365

Best Bet at Flemington: Mirzann

Mirzann caught the eye on his Australian debut at Caulfield on May 4 and appears to have acclimatised well to his new stable. He got within a length of Cadmus despite lugging 61kg, with the Chris Waller-trained gelding peaking on his run after 190 days off the scene. He drops 6.5kg going into this BM84, and with Damien Lane lobbing into the one-one from barrier four, Mirzann looks perfectly placed to go one better this time.

Best Bet

Race 2 – #11 Mirzann (4)

4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Damien Lane (54.5kg)

+220 with PlayUp

Next Best at Flemington: Kings Valley

Kings Valley heads to Victoria for the first time after back-to-back placings at Canterbury over 1550m. The journey proved too sharp for the son of Territories, as he did his best work late in both runs. Getting to 2000m at a wide-open Flemington circuit appears ideal for the Ciaron Maher-trained import, and with any luck from barrier 12, Kings Valley can shirk the maiden tag.

Next Best

Race 6 – #8 Kings Valley (12)

3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Matthew Cartwright (54.5kg)

+800 with Neds

Best Value at Flemington: Joyful Fortune

After a 562-day spell, Joyful Fortune is set to have his first run for the Ciaron Maher barn in the Listed Straight Six (1200m). He was a two-time winner at Flemington across three starts last preparation, with his only failure coming in the 2022 Everest (1200m) behind Giga Kick. His form jumps off the page despite the lengthy layoff, and with his one jump-out at Newcastle on April 12 catching the eye, Joyful Fortune has strong claims at the each-way price with online bookmakers.