Massive G1 day of racing from Sydney, with the Flight Stakes, Epsom and Metropolitan all set down for decision on a rain-affected surface. Flemington also hosts the G1 Turnbull Stakes, so there is massive black-type features from all around the country. Check out the PlayUp tips below.
Randwick R6 #1 Fireburn $2.40 at PlayUp – Solid edition of the G1 Flight Stakes here, and i’m firmly in the camp of the Golden Slipper winner Fireburn. Her two runs as a 3yo have both been solid on unsuitable dry ground, and she looks as though at this stage she is crying out for a mile. The factor strongly in her favour is the heavy track, we saw her excel as a 2yo on bottomless going, and she is going to get those exact conditions to suit here.
Randwick R9 #1 Stockman $7.50 at PlayUp – Very keen to see this bloke back on heavy going, he is a prolific winner on this wet ground with four victories from nine starts on it, and two minor placings as well. His first up effort in the G1 Winx Stakes a few runs ago set the tone for the prep, after he launched from the back and was savaging the line over an unsuitable 1400m. He finishing within 1.5L of the winner last start over 2000m, and now fourth up looks primed for the 2400m distance on his preferred heavy going. Maps well from barrier four, and can offset the top weight by his ability to handle the heavy.
Flemington R3 #8 Typhoon Titmus $6.50 at PlayUp – Thought this filly found the line very well at Listed grade last time out, caught in the worst going on the inside but still got home very well including a last 400m split that was 2L quicker than class average. She looks perfectly drawn here this afternoon, with barrier two affording her every chance in the run in behind a strong speed with cover. Form two runs ago behind Nanagui in the LR Cap D’Antibes is strong, with numerous horses scheduled to run well over Friday and Saturday from that race, and the step to the mile first time looks right in her favour.
Flemington R4 #1 Yearning $4.80 at PlayUp – This G1 winner was very good first up here over 1400m in the G2 Lets Elope, running an extremely close third on that day and not having much luck. She settled last off a slow tempo in which the leader walked and went close to winning, making it a very hard position for Yearning to come from to score. She found the line with meeting fastest sectionals, and likely wins in another few strides. Second up here and fitter, and sticks to the same distance but from a much better barrier draw this afternoon. Expect her to position closer to the speed this time from the inside barrier, and she looks to have returned in great form.
Flemington R5 #3 Giga Kick $1.85 at PlayUp – Extremely confident that this Clayton Douglas trained gelding will remain undefeated here today, especially after the key scratching of Spacewalk who looked the clear danger. This horse is running out of his skin, with all his wins impressive for not only the style in which he does them, but the ratings and sectionals he is able to produce. He sticks to 1100m here which obviously suits, and importantly is drawn towards the grandstand side of the straight which historically is always an advantageous place to be. Craig Williams retains the ride, and this could be a launching pad for a G1 victory not too far away.