Flemington will host VRC Christmas Race Day on Saturday, and nine races are on the program.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:40pm – Benchmark 70 Trophy (1400m)
Luna Cat faces another rise in class at Flemington on Saturday, but it’s tough to argue with her winning form, and I think that she can go on with it.
The Puissance De Lune filly needed her first start back to tune up, but she simply hasn’t looked back, breaking her maiden at Bendigo before repeating the dose at The Valley last time.
That effort was nothing short of bullish, and this looks a great opportunity to transition into Saturday metro company.
Race 2 – 1:20pm – Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m)
Squid Game was an impressive winner on debut and can extend his unbeaten career start through the second at HQ on Saturday.
Squid Game showed ability at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an easy win at Ladbrokes Park last month.
He harbours plenty of upside and can strike again.
Race 3 – 1:55pm – Schweppervescence Handicap (2600m)
This is an open race full of quality stayers and there is a case to be made for several, including Wyclif.
Wyclif has had two starts back this time and is yet to salute, but there has been a lot to like about what he has produced, and he’ll take plenty of improvement into Saturday.
Breeding suggests that he’ll relish getting out to 2600m and he gets into the race extremely well under the conditions.
Race 4 – 2:30pm – Rubaroc Handicap (1200m)
This is one of the more open races on the card and at publish, we’re faced with $5 the field.
Enigma looks to have found career-best form this time, and she is a live chance of recording a hat-trick of wins under Jamie Kah.
Enigma was unlucky to just miss at her first two back this time, but she has subsequently gone bang-bang in BM58 company at Hamilton.
At around the $7 mark, we can have an each-way play.
Race 5 – 3:05pm – Myer Giftorium Handicap (1400m)
Savannah Cloud looks to have returned to the races in typically impressive form this time, and he’s the one to beat in Race 5 at Flemington on Saturday.
The Savabeel gelding finished second in each of his three starts last prep, and picked up where he left off when second behind Marabi at Ballarat.
He converted that performance into a lovely win at The Valley last time, and he is ready to strike in Saturday metro company third-up.
Race 6 – 3:40pm – Kennedy Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to stick with Tavidance in the sixth at HQ this week.
He hasn’t shown his best form in two starts back this time, but we know how good Tavidance can be at his best, and he’s picked off several races not dissimilar to this one throughout his career.
He is drawn to receive every chance this weekend under Damien Oliver and I think that it looks an ideal target for him.
Race 7 – 4:20pm – Furphy Festive Season Sprint (1200m)
It’sourtime was an impressive winner first-up from a spell, and he can make it two in a row at Flemington.
The Time For War gelding has been a great horse for the Danny O’Brien stable since debuting, recording three wins and tow minors from just six starts so far.
His fresh effort this time was eye-catching, and he will only improve for that effort.
Race 8 – 5:00pm – #LoveTheHorse Trophy (1600m)
Akecheta is seeking a hat-trick of wins when he steps out in the penultimate race in Melbourne on Saturday, and I think that he can pull it off.
The So You Think gelding hasn’t missed placing in his last six trips to the races, and he has been a class above at his last two.
This is another rise in class, but it does look to be the next logical step, and he should receive every chance.
Race 9 – 5:40pm – G.H. Mumm Christmas Plate (1000m)
This is an outstanding race and it isn’t the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective, but I am going to have something on the resuming Scorched Earth.
Scorched Earth was outstanding at the conclusion of her autumn prep this year, and while she didn’t strike in three spring starts, she wasn’t far away on any occasion.
She has missed placing just once at this point of her prep previously, and we can have an each-way play at around the $7 mark.
