Last day of the Flemington carnival plays host to the G1 VRC Sprint Classic and the G1 Mackinnon Stakes, both time honoured races at the top level. There is also cracking racing out of Sydney, including the G2 Hot Danish Stakes as the feature of the afternoon. Take a look at our expert selections below.
Flemington:
R1 #9 Equation $5.00 at PlayUp
Thought this Sydney galloper with J Mac booked to ride represented good value, finding a very winnable race now down in Melbourne fourth up. He has been running solidly without winning of late, including a 6th in the Silver Eagle, and running on well last start behind the very talented Promise Of Success. Comes into this race rock hard fit, down on 54.5kg, and looks like he is crying out for the mile which he gets today. There is some chinks in the armour of the other key runners, so keen to play a safer bet here.
Thought this Sydney galloper with J Mac booked to ride represented good value, finding a very winnable race now down in Melbourne fourth up. He has been running solidly without winning of late, including a 6th in the Silver Eagle, and running on well last start behind the very talented Promise Of Success. Comes into this race rock hard fit, down on 54.5kg, and looks like he is crying out for the mile which he gets today. There is some chinks in the armour of the other key runners, so keen to play a safer bet here.
R4 #7 Decent Raine $7.00 at PlayUp
Having a good each way bet on Decent Raine, who is absolutely flying this prep and bursting to win again now returning to Melbourne. Her lone run in Sydney behind Fangirl last start was absolutely luckless, held up on the fence until the 100m mark where she got clear and flew home. That winner has since come to Flemington and won again last Saturday which franks the form. Two runs back at The Valley she ran the 5th best last 200m split of the entire day through the line in another luckless run. Drawn well, low weight, and maps for a pearler here.
Having a good each way bet on Decent Raine, who is absolutely flying this prep and bursting to win again now returning to Melbourne. Her lone run in Sydney behind Fangirl last start was absolutely luckless, held up on the fence until the 100m mark where she got clear and flew home. That winner has since come to Flemington and won again last Saturday which franks the form. Two runs back at The Valley she ran the 5th best last 200m split of the entire day through the line in another luckless run. Drawn well, low weight, and maps for a pearler here.
R8 #4 Zaaki $2.45 at PlayUp
Ready to atone for a Cox Plate scratching here, where he would’ve started favourite and have been very hard to beat. Prior to that his flag was lowered a touch off a defeat behind Probabeel, but the small field and tactical tempo didn’t look to suit. Now comes back on to a bigger track, with a tougher field who will ensure a genuinely run race. Annabel would’ve kept him right up to the mark no doubt, and J Mac hopping aboard is a huge bonus again for this horse.
Ready to atone for a Cox Plate scratching here, where he would’ve started favourite and have been very hard to beat. Prior to that his flag was lowered a touch off a defeat behind Probabeel, but the small field and tactical tempo didn’t look to suit. Now comes back on to a bigger track, with a tougher field who will ensure a genuinely run race. Annabel would’ve kept him right up to the mark no doubt, and J Mac hopping aboard is a huge bonus again for this horse.
Rosehill:
R7 #4 Shirvo $12.00 at PlayUp
A number of runners you could back here with equal confidence, so the one at the longest price seems a good each way play. Shirvo had no luck on debut in the Kirkham behind Ojai, getting caught three wide no cover towards the tail of the field in a race that was dominated up on speed. He was very gallant to keep trying through the line, and still had the 3rd fastest last 600m sectional of the race. Drawn for more luck here and can improve again.
A number of runners you could back here with equal confidence, so the one at the longest price seems a good each way play. Shirvo had no luck on debut in the Kirkham behind Ojai, getting caught three wide no cover towards the tail of the field in a race that was dominated up on speed. He was very gallant to keep trying through the line, and still had the 3rd fastest last 600m sectional of the race. Drawn for more luck here and can improve again.
R10 #3 Suave $5.00 at PlayUp
Keen on the Godolphin runner in the last, coming off two very good runs including a win two back and a 2nd behind the very talented Promise Of Success last start. He seems to have come around to running well on rain affected tracks, which is crucial after a downpour in Sydney on Friday. Needs a touch of luck from the barrier, but has a 50% winning strike rate over this 1400m distance, and has only every missed a top three finish once from six attempts.
Keen on the Godolphin runner in the last, coming off two very good runs including a win two back and a 2nd behind the very talented Promise Of Success last start. He seems to have come around to running well on rain affected tracks, which is crucial after a downpour in Sydney on Friday. Needs a touch of luck from the barrier, but has a 50% winning strike rate over this 1400m distance, and has only every missed a top three finish once from six attempts.
