Day One of the Flemington Cup carnival has arrived! And we kick it off with one of the most prestigious days in the Australian racing calendar, Derby Day. Although this year’s Derby may be a touch understrength, the whole nine races on the card as a collective look set to entertain us with an outstanding day of gallops action. Four group ones across the program, including one of Victoria’s premiere straight races, the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Meanwhile at Rosehill, the western suburbs of Sydney gear up for the Golden Eagle, which is quickly becoming a massive highlight for the industry out there. A crack field is assembled for the 1500m journey, and we’ve included a tip for you all down below. Take a look at PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s five best of the day.
Flemington R1 #3 Aysar $2.10 at PlayUp – Happy to take the short quote about this Lindsay Park colt, who comes off a very gallant run behind dual G1 winner Ole Kirk last start in the Caulfield Guineas. He sat midfield in the run behind Crosshaven, and went straight past him in the run, only to be nailed in the final strides by the winner. Two starts back he was beaten by Crosshaven, but just settled way too far off them in the run and was never a winning chance. Fourth up here peak fit, and from barrier two he will be settling much closer to them in the run with the sit on the leaders. Sticks to the mile, back down to G3 level and only has to rise half a kilo, compared to Crosshaven and Endanger who both rise 2kg. All signs point to a win here. Selections: 3-1-4-2
Flemington R4 #11 Admire Robson $5.00 at PlayUp – Thought this Preusker trained stayer was way over the odds here in the Hotham, which of course is the final ticket into the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Comes out of the G3 Bart Cummings over 2500m, where he was terribly held up at the top of the straight, and only really got into his work within the final 300m. Unfortunately, as is the case with most stayers, he is a horse who needs to build momentum into his run, and he was unable to do that. The final 400m and 200m sectionals he ran were the fastest of the entire race, and third up now ready to peak, he can definitely go close here. Selections: 11-2-10-1
Flemington R8 (G1 Kennedy Cantala) #16 King’s Legacy $19.00 at PlayUp – Throwing one out here for the punters at some big odds, I wouldn’t mind specking King’s Legacy at his current quote $20+. His two runs earlier this prep in Sydney had a lot of merit, including a 3rd place behind Ole Kirk beaten only 2L in the G1 Golden Rose. He then came to Melbourne on the quick back up, and SP’d $6.50 in the Caulfield Guineas, but never really came on. The Snowden’s conducted scopes and x-rays to determine the cause of the poor performance, but came up empty handed. They went on to say the horse has come through the run in perfect order, and is very fit and forward. I think he is the forgotten horse of the field, and carrying only 51kg here with G Boss on board, can definitely bounce back and win. He’s already a G1 winner over the mile, and this Flemington track will suit him perfectly. Selections: 16-4-13-9
Rosehill R6 #3 Wu Gok $5.50 at PlayUp – The ‘Gok’ goes on top here, on what is forecasted to be a very heavy track at Rosehill… and that is exactly the reason why he gets the nod here. All his runs this prep have come in very competitive races, including the G1 Metrop, and G2 Chelmsford where he finished only 2L off the winner over the mile that day. The 2600m last start was likely a bridge too far, but he drops back down to his pet distance here over the 2000m. His heavy track stats, quite honestly, are unbelievable. It reads 13 starts for 8 wins and 1 second place, and there was a win last prep over this track and distance where he absolutely toyed with his rivals. Up 1kg from last start, the rider change to Avdulla is a huge help, and he will be eating up this ground. Selections: 3-2-10-13
Rosehill R8 (Golden Eagle) #5 Riodini $19.00 at PlayUp – Very happy to have an each way play at Riodini here in the feature event of the afternoon, a NZ gelding who comes here fourth up into his campaign and ready to peak. His last run was in the G1 Epsom, where he finished third beaten 1L by Probabeel, which is outstanding form for this kind of race. He has had a tick over trial at Gosford, which he won by 2L, and I think he will be in excellent order here. 2:2 on soft going, and being a NZ bred horse, I have no doubts that he will be able to get through the heavy going without a problem. Maps perfectly in barrier 7, I can’t believe the price we are getting. Selections: 5-11-12-13
