Ten races will be contested at HQ this Saturday, January 20th.
With the first black type races of the forthcoming Autumn Carnival only a week away, we’re beginning to see some of the season’s most exciting prospects return to action, and there’s plenty to look forward to on Saturday’s program.
Check out my complete Flemington Tips below!
Howden Australian Guineas Day, 2 March (1600m) – 12:15pm AEDT
Two horses have opened odds-on in betting ahead of the first at Flemington on Saturday, and Bermadez is going to be the one for me.
Bermadez has made three appearances since returning back in November, incredibly finishing second on all three occasions, and finding form around some quality opposition.
He’s hard fit, a mile at Flemington is perfect and this really is his opportunity to strike.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Bermadez
VRC Life Member Robert Lane Trophy (2520m) – 12:45pm AEDT
I’m going to back another favourite in Race 2 at Flemington on Saturday: Galilaeus.
The UK import ended his time over in his native land with consecutive wins in staying races, but he clearly needed his first run in Australia to tune up when sixth, beaten three lengths by Miss Tarzy at The Valley.
Improved fitness and getting further out in trip on the big track at HQ this week are all positives, and I think that he can begin his rise through the grades.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Galilaeus
Tour d’Horse Trophy (1200m) – 1:20pm AEDT
Kiko broke her maiden in impressive fashion at Cranbourne last time out and this looks a lovely target for her third-up.
The Capitalist mare has always hinted at ability and wasn’t disgraced in black type company during last year’s Winter Carnival, and she returned this time to fill the minors behind the talented Exceed The Dream in December.
Having hit the line more than three lengths ahead of her rivals last time, she’s ready for something like this, and she need only handle racing down the straight to be right in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Kiko
Be A Mate, Nominate Trophy (1100m) – 1:55pm AEDT
Stefi Magnetica is a dual acceptor with a race up in Sydney on Saturday, but this is surely the way that trainer Bjorn Baker and connections elect to go, and I think she’ll take beating.
The well-bred filly improved with each start during her debut preparation last time in, breaking her maiden before returning to the paddock in July.
This is a big step up in class from her fresh performance, but it was an utterly dominant one out at Orange, and she’s open to big improvement.
The booking of Jamie Kah certainly doesn’t hinder her chances either.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Stefi Magnetica
Black Caviar Lightning Race Day, 17 February (1100m) – 2:30pm AEDT
Kin is a very talented galloper and strikes another very winnable race at Flemington on Saturday.
The Impending mare is yet to strike in three runs back from a break, but there’s no doubt that she has been on the improve, and she has filled the minors in races no dissimilar to this one at her last two appearances.
She’s a multiple placegetter down the Flemington straight and she has drawn to receive every chance under Jamie Kah.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Kin
VRC Life Member John Dale Mile (1600m) – 3:05pm AEDT
Aperitivo returned a rare flat effort last time out, but I am happy to give her another chance at Flemington on Saturday.
The Tivaci mare’s form prior to her flop was excellent and included an eye-catching win out at Sale before consecutive metro placings at BM70 grade.
She’s hard fit, the mile suits and she is drawn to receive a lovely run under Micky Dee.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Aperitivo
VRC Super Saturday, 9 March (1200m) – 3:40pm AEDT
Rey Magnerio is a star on the rise and looms as the one to beat again in Race 7 at HQ this week.
The Magnus gelding has won five of seven starts since debuting, including three in succession leading up to Saturday’s sprint.
Having blown them away in a strikingly similar race here in November, he clearly relishes the conditions, while he should only improve following his most recent victory that came off a freshen up.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Rey Magnerio
Australian Cup Race Day, 30 March (2000m) – 4:20pm AEDT
He will need some luck early after drawing the potentially sticky barrier 15, but I thought that this looked another lovely race for Enotis.
Enotis ended his last prep with consecutive wins in New South Wales, picking up where he left off with victory in BM72 company at Canterbury.
He settled off the pace at Randwick last time out before finishing fifth, but given he was just over a length behind the winner, I thought the performance still held plenty of merit.
Fitter third-up this week, the 2000m at Flemington does look ideal for him, and we can have an each way play at current odds.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Enotis
VRC Life Member Daniel Connell Trophy (1400m) – 5pm AEDT
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Lafargue.
Lafargue has turned in some nice performances this time in, highlighted by a smart effort and comfortable victory in a similar grade at Geelong on Coastal Classic Day.
He steps out this week in peak order, is drawn to receive a lovely run in transit, and I thought the $11 about him at publish was over the odds.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Lafargue
VRC Life Member Another Yencken Sprint (1000m) – 5:40pm AEDT
Another interesting race and a tough way to end the day from a betting prospectively, but I thought that Wiggum’s would relish the conditions of it.
Wiggum has been freshened since finishing fifth, beaten two and a half lengths on Cranbourne Cup Day, but his form prior to that was excellent, and highlighted by an eye-catching win over this route on Melbourne Cup Day.
His fresh record is without blemish, and he does look to have a lot of these covered for class.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Wiggum
