A massive G1 day of racing as the Autumn carnival begins to really heat up. At Flemington, it’s the running of the Australian Guineas, among other black type races on a 9 race card. Meanwhile at Randwick, it is a dual G1 meeting with the Chipping Norton Stakes, and the Surround Stakes. There is also black type racing from Ascot, Sunshine Coast and Murray Bridge as well. Take a look at our expert selections below.
Flemington R3 #1 I Am Superman $5.50 at PlayUp – Looking to the top weight here in this G3 event over the 1400m, and it looks a fascinating race at that with a wide open market. I Am Superman comes here first up off two sound trials in Sydney, winning the latest over a longer distance by 1.5L on the line. This is the exact same tactic the stable employed last prep, where he had two good Sydney trials and then came to this 1400m at Caulfield and won an open handicap race very impressively. I see no reason it cannot be done again, albeit in a harder race. He will float midfield in a race with good tempo predicted, and clearly relishes this track and trip when fresh.
Flemington R6 #11 Buffalo River $2.70 at PlayUp – A group win looks imminent for this Moroney galloper, and second up here at 1600m after a very good return last start it looks his time to finally win. He resumed with a strong second place behind Regardsmaree last start over 1400m at Flemington, where he possibly hit the front too early and was left a sitting shot on the line. Fitter now with an excellent second up record (4:2-1-1), he will appreciate this step to the mile. The tempo in this race looks extremely slow, and he is the only go forward horse in the race. He looks to control from the front, and just win.
Flemington R9 #10 Paul’s Regret $6.50 at PlayUp – In what looks an extremely open finish to the day, Paul’s Regret represents good value coming through an extremely strong form line. Last start, off the back of a freshen, he finished right on the heels of impressive winner Probabeel, and was making very good ground through the line. Probabeel has since gone on to be extremely dominant and win the G1 Futurity Stakes by 2.5L. Paul’s Regret comes up to 1400m now with added fitness and is racing in extremely strong form. He gets a lovely run from barrier two, the booking of W Pike in his current form must be considered a positive, and I think he can be right there in the finish.
Randwick R5 #5 Bam’s On Fire $6.00 at PlayUp – A love hate relationship with this horse remains, but an outstanding and very unlucky return behind Probabeel last start when first up has us back on side here. She got back to last in running on that occasion, and although benefited by the quick tempo, she straightened up with absolutely no running room behind a wall of horses. She trucked through the line under a huge hold and was never clear at any stage, seemingly with a lot to give. She still managed to run a race fastest last 200m sectional without clear room, adding merit to her unlucky performance. Second up here with a great record at this stage, goes well over 1400m, and handles both wet and dry conditions. J McDonald on is an added positive.
Randwick R9 #5 Zakat $2.50 at PlayUp – Bet of the day comes up here in the last at Randwick, with the Godolphin runner Zakat looking to take the prize over 1200m. His run fresh at Flemington down the straight was outstanding, just being bloused in the very late stages. Second up now where he is twice a winner from four attempts, and back to his preferred Randwick track, He loves 1200m here, is drawn perfectly in barrier three, and J McDonald also goes back aboard, Carrying only 55.5kg in what looks an average BM88, and with the track still in the soft range, he should be far too good for these.
