Flemington racing preview & best bets | Sunday, September 18
| What | Flemington Races |
| Where | Flemington Racecourse |
| When | Sunday, September 18, 2022 |
| First Race | 1:30pm AEST |
A rare Sunday meeting at Flemington greets punters this weekend for an eight-race card headlined by the VRC Oaks Trial and Victoria Derby Trial. The winner of both of the races is ballot-exempt from the retrospective three-year-old classic events during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, so there will be plenty on the line for connections this weekend.
Racing is set to get underway at 1:30pm AEST on a track rated a Soft 6, with the rail out 14m.
Oaks Trial Top Tip: Leica Model
Win and you are in to the VRC Oaks on the first Thursday at November, that is what is on the line when 13 three-year-old fillies step out in the Oaks Trial. Despite still being a maiden after four starts, we are hoping the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Leica Model can bring up a deserved victory. The Darci Brahma filly has finished in the minor placings at both starts this time in and we expect the 1800m, third-up from a spell is the recipe for success. From barrier 10, look for Daniel Moor to have her lobbed midfield with cover so she avoids the traffic issues she copped at Sale last time out. She showed at that Sale meeting she has a nice turn of foot for a progressive stayer when in clear air and if she can be afforded to build through the gears, we are happy to side with Leica Model at the price.
Oaks Trial
Race 5 – 
#5 Leica Model (10)
3yo Filly | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Daniel Moor (56kg)
Derby Trial Top Tip: Mr Maestro
Andrew Forsman knows a thing or two about training Derby winners and he has had the Victoria Derby circled for a fair while for his three-year-old colt Mr Maestro. He had a genuine pipe opener first-up at Sandown, before going to Moonee Valley where he was beaten under a length in a strong form race which has produce two subsequent winners. From the low draw, we expect to see Damian Lane have this bloke positioned in a forward position throughout and as he showed at The Valley last time out, he has above average ability and will appreciate the Flemington track. As long as he handles the wet track, we expect to see Mr Maestro make his move at the top of the straight and give his rivals something to gun down. The $6.50 with online bookmakers looks a great price for Mr Maestro.
Next Best
Race 6 – 
#2 Mr Maestro (4)
3yo Colt | T: Andrew Forsman | J: Damian Lane (56kg)
Best Bet at Flemington: Port Philip
We do not need to wait too long on Sunday for our best bet, with the Julius Sandhu-trained Port Philip set to step out in the opening event over 2500m. The four-year-old gelding looks to be a stayer progressing nicely through the grades and his win at Mornington last time out suggested he was worth following wherever he next went. Having settled midfield over 2050m on a Heavy 9, the Camelot gelding made his move approaching the home turn and inside the final furlong managed to put 4.5 lengths on Angelic Scent, a runner who he meets once again on Saturday. From barrier 14, Jamie Mott will need to be at his productive best and if they can find cover in the moving line, Port Philip has a strong turn of foot for an inexperienced stayer. The extra 450m should not be an issue and at $4 with some online betting sites, he looks a clear best bet of the day.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#11 Port Philip (14)
4yo Gelding | T: Julius Sandhu | J: Jamie Mott (57.5kg)
Best Value at Flemington: Demon Award
The Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Demon Award bought up a confidence building win at Echuca on September 10 and looks ready to go on with the job. The three-year-old colt had begun his spring with consecutive runner-up efforts, before putting it all together in a dominant maiden victory last time out on a Heavy 10. He has shown throughout his career that he can handle rain-affected going, we have no doubt he will handle the conditions that are in front of him on Sunday. We anticipate he will settle at the rear of the field and if the likes of Vanbrugh Castle and The Wizard King can make this a genuinely run 1420m event, Demon Award has a strong turn of foot and can blow his rivals away late.
Best Value
Race 3 – 
#6 Demon Award (8)
3yo Colt | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Dean Holland (59kg)
Sunday quaddie tips for Flemington
Flemington quadrella selections
Sunday, September 18, 2022
- 1-2-5-8-14
- 1-2-6
- 1-2-3-8
- 7-10-12
Investment: $180 for 100%