Metro racing in Victoria extends to Sunday this week for Spring Classics Preview Day at Flemington.
Highlighted by the Kennedy Oaks Trial and the Victoria Derby Trial, this is always a quality meeting, and there are eight winners to be found.
Check out my full day preview and Flemington Tips below!
VRC Member Jeremy Cross Trophy (1800m) – 1:30pm
There’s a case to be made for a few of them in the first at Flemington on Sunday, but I thought it looked a really nice opportunity for Future Monarch to transition to metro company.
The Danny O’Brien-trained mare has continued to improve with each start since debuting, and broke her maiden over 1400m at The ‘Bool two back.
She franked that performance with another easy win in BM58 company at Hamilton last time out, and she should get every chance on the big Flemington track again.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Future Monarch
Darley Spring Preview (2550m) – 2:05pm
Insulation is chasing a hat-trick when he steps out at HQ on Sunday and looks well placed to pull it off.
He’s been a great horse for Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman this time in, filling the minors at Sandown at his first run back before consecutive, eye-catching performances.
He’s hard fit and I think that this is the perfect Melbourne metro race for him.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Insulation
Flemington Open Day (1420m) – 2:40pm
Wolfy can go on with the job at Flemington on Sunday after breaking his maiden at Sale last time out.
The Tivaci colt has improved noticeably with each of four starts since debuting, culminating in his lovely performance last time out.
He has plenty of upside, Blake Shinn retains the ride, and the horse looks to have a bright future.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Wolfy
Paulele At Darley (1100m) – 3:15pm
I’m keen to be with Sydney raider Dancing Alone when she steps out in Melbourne on Sunday.
The I Am Invincible mare stamped herself as one to watch when winning on debut at Canberra back in January, and she continued to improve with racing and as the bar was raised, winning each of her three subsequent starts.
Having suffered her first career defeat when six, beaten less than two lengths in BM78 company at Randwick last time out, I’m confident she steps out today in peak order, and I’m keen to see her down the straight for the first time.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Dancing Alone
Kennedy Oaks Preview (1800m) – 3:50pm
Some exciting three-year-old fillies, potentially on an Oaks path will contest this Preview race, including Served Cold.
Served Cold has only made two appearances at the races so far, debuting for fourth behind the likes of Autumn Angel at Sandown before comfortably breaking her maiden at Geelong last time.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, I’m confident she can go on with it.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Served Cold
Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) – 4:25pm
There is a case to be made for a few of them in the Derby Trial, but Sunsource is proven over the trip, and I thought that he looked a bit of value here at current odds ($12 at publish).
Sunsource has returned some lovely performances since debuting, and he has continued to improve with racing, culminating in an eye-catching win here in July.
He returned from a freshen-up to finish a credible fourth at The Valley late last month, and I am expecting plenty of improvement for that effort.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Sunsource
VRC Member Andrew Aitken Trophy (1630m) – 4:55pm
El Cordobes has returned two competitive performances back from a spell and I am confident in another one at Flemington on Sunday.
The All Too Hard gelding struck over 1400m in metro company in South Australia first run back, before filling the minors in a BM70 at Sandown at his latest.
This is a rise in class, but he is open to further improvement and is drawn ideally, with the benefit of only 54.5kgs in tow.
Suggested Bet: No. 15 El Cordobes
Show Day Handicap (1420m) – 5:30pm
Certainly not the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Arnold.
Arnold hasn’t been seen at the races since a hit-and-run third at Sandown back in June, but he has always been a very credible performer in metro company.
Carleen Hefel rides today, and I am happy to have something of a small, speculative each way play.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Arnold