Big day of racing coming up, most notably the action from the Gold Coast, with the big Magic Millions raceday ensuring some great racing. Typical cracking editions of the 2 and 3 year old races, plus the Magic Millions Cup, all worth close to $1million. Listed racing also from Flemington and Rosehill, and racing from Murray Bridge and Ascot round out the other metro venues. Have a look at our suggested bets below.
Flemington R2 #4 Hasseltoff $2.50 at PlayUp – Hard to knock this last start winner who, although does rise in weight here for equal grade, can definitely be too classy for these again. He enjoyed a very soft run on the fence in behind the leader, and once clear in the straight just kicked straight away and dominated with a 3L win on the line eased down. He should be rock hard fit here, and coming back to a mole is no issue. Any rain around in days leading in would be no hurt either, as his form on softer going is actually superior to that on firmer ground. From barrier three he gets the exact same run as last start, and it’s hard to see anything challenging.
Flemington R3 #6 Raven’s Blaze $9.50 at PlayUp – Can’t believe the double price figure that is once again available for this in form horse. Comes off a dominant first up win at Mornington over 1000m, where she led and absolutely bolted in, a very impressive performance after scooting along at a nice tempo up front. She looks to have returned this prep in great form, and a second up record of 5:0-1-1 should be encouraging enough to say that she will carry that form through to this race. 1100m is a slight query, but she only carries 54kg after the claim, a huge 6kg drop from last start. Will be up on speed, and may not be pressured by any other runner, and I think looks a great each way bet.
Flemington R6 #2 Biometric $6.00 at PlayUp – Looks a great bet here, coming off a very unlucky run over 1400m at Caulfield last start where he arguably would’ve won if not for terrible luck in the straight. Unable to get clear at any stage, he went over the line bolting under a huge hold. Third up here and sticking to 1400m, returning to a more spacious track like Flemington where he is unlikely to have any bad luck in running. He loves the 1400m, holds weight in equal grade, and the booking of D Oliver is an almighty push for this horse.
Flemington R8 #10 Takumi $6.00 at PlayUp – Sticking with this very good last start winner, who only got clear inside the last 200m and ran the clear fastest closing sectional to unleash down the outside and win. If not for a forgettable run three back in Sandown, his record this prep would read two wins and a placing from 4 runs. Finds himself in equal grade sticking to 2000m, and a drying track later in the day will really help his cause. If he can replicate that powerful finish he displayed last start, expect him to be right around the finish again holding form. Hopefully a few others decide to pressure Sikorsky in the lead, as the only concern is that they may run this race too slow to allow Takumi to really run on at his best.
Rosehill R1 #1 Arthur Francis $ at PlayUp – Have been really impressed by the trials of this son of Foxwedge leading into this debut race. He has won both of them, the latest at Rosehill over 900m was a dominant 2L win where he showed some electric turn of foot. I think he is definitely ready to perform here on debut, and looks to map well enough from barrier 8 over the 1100m. There is no doubt that the favourite Remarque is very smart, but they have trialled somewhat similarly and they should be closer in the market.
