Flemington will host nine races on Saturday, December 11th, and the Listed Kensington Stakes headlines the program.
The rail will be left in the true position 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 – 12:35pm – Greg Miles Trophy (1100m)
Only half of the ten confirmed starters in the first on Kensington Stakes Day have previous experience and at publish, several debutants are prominent in betting.
I can’t find anything that I am particularly confident in, so I am going to stay out.
Race 2 – 1:10pm – Brew Living Legends Handicap (1600m)
Eluding has recorded two wins from as many starts this time and looks well placed to add a third on Kensington Stakes Day.
The Toronado gelding mixed his form last time in, but resumed this time with a dominant performance in BM64 company at The ‘Bool, before repeating that effort and result at Ladbrokes Park.
This is another rise in class, but he harbours further improvement, and it does look to be the next obvious point of call.
Race 3 – 1:45pm – Fiona McIntyre Sprint (1100m)
Peter Moody looks to have another decent one on his hands with Dance To Dubai, and the horse can claim a hat-trick of wins when she steps out at HQ.
The Pride Of Dubai mare showed glimpses of talent last time in, but completed an ideal return to the races when winning at Traralgon in late October.
She franked that performance and win in BM64 company at The Valley last time, and this looks the perfect opportunity for her to successfully transition to Saturday metro company.
Race 4 – 2:20pm – Vale Mahogany Handicap (2500m)
Wertheimer has recorded back-to-back wins, albeit in weaker class heading into his appearance at Flemington, and he looks to be a genuine hat-trick contender.
Wertheimer broke back into the winner’s stall at Gawler two starts back, and followed-up that performance with a very impressive effort at Morphettville.
He steps out on Saturday rock-hard fit and he is a horse that looks as though he’ll relish the big Flemington track.
Race 5 – 3:00pm – Efficient Living Legends Plate (1400m)
I’m happy to stick with Guardian Spirit in the fifth on Kensington Stakes Day.
Guardian Spirit broke with maiden with ease at Geelong when resuming, and he continued his rise through the grades at Ladbrokes Park last time.
Fitter third-up and getting out to 1400m, I think he’ll prove extremely difficult to beat once more.
Race 6 – 3:40pm – Des Gleeson Handicap (1400m)
Lighthouse looms as the runner to beat in Race 6.
The Maher & Eustace-trained galloper was utterly dominant at Kyneton first-up, and she put paid to them again at Ballarat last time.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and with some relief in the weights, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Race 7 – 4:20pm – Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m)
Fourteen sprinters will dash down the Flemington straight in Saturday’s feature race, including Parsifal.
Parsifal hasn’t shown his absolute best form in two starts back this time, but he has clearly stripped fitter and improved, and he does tend to like running down the straight.
Fitter third-up, Johnny Allen can get some cover from barrier 1, and we can have an each-way play at around the $10 mark.
Race 8 – 5:00pm – Gary Fennesy Handicap (1800m)
This is one of the more open races on the Kensington Stakes Day card, and a horse like Sign Of Ussuri looks to have genuine winning claims.
Sign Of Ussuri recorded consecutive wins in South Australia earlier in his prep, and he only just missed in Listed company two back.
He takes his place in this field following a credible fourth, beaten only half a length by Silent Sovereign on Ballarat Cup Day, and he looks well placed again this week.
Race 9 – 5:40pm – Darren Gauci Trophy (1200m)
Sixbysixtythree puts an unbeaten record on the line in the last on Kensington Stakes Day, but this is a decent rise in class and he meets some quality horses, and I am going to take him on as our betting favourite.
Yulong Code hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but his fresh record is good, and I think that he can have an impact at a nice price ($11 at publish).
Yulong Code won each of his first two starts back last time with something in hand, but he had clearly had enough third-up and went back to the paddock.
He is drawn ideally and can fight out the finish.