G1 day of racing from HQ in Melbourne, with the Makybe Diva stakes field being an absolute standout. 10 previous G1 winners plus some newcomers are set to do battle over the mile, and the undercard is stacked full of talent as well. Black type racing also in Sydney, with ten races to get through, as well as action from Doomben, Morphettville, and Belmont. Take a look at our top five selections below.
Flemington R2 #1 Artorius $1.65 at PlayUp – Second up here, and still can’t believe he didn’t win fresh at Caulfield when flying home from back to finish 2nd. It was a race fastest last 200m split by over 2L on that day, and signified the boom colt has returned in outstanding order. 1400m now is perfect, as is the Flemington track where swoops have an outstanding winning strike rate percentage when the rail is in the true. He has performed far superior to his main market rivals, and the short odds looks value in our opinion.
Flemington R4 #11 Pretty Woman $6.50 at PlayUp – The country NSW trained galloper makes a much anticipated metro Melbourne debut, first up from a spell with no public trials to go off. She was outstanding last prep, winning two from three starts in outstanding fashion, including a victory over another rival in this race Glistening. She started favourite in the G2 Reisling at Randwick, and it was an absolute horror show as she went over the line completely untouched, getting no room in running. Back to avenge that here, she looks great value seeing she sits down on 56kg minimum and maps well from the barrier.
Flemington R8 #3 Keiai Nautique $12.00 at PlayUp – Very keen each way on this Japanese bred runner for Matthew Smith, who managed to take out this G1 Makybe Diva last year with this horses full brother Fierce Impact. He was on Australian debut in the G1 Winx Stakes last start, and rocketed home to finish a neck away from Mo’onga, and likely wins in a few more strides. It was the 2nd fastest last 200m split of the entire day, with only Fituese running a quicker time home. Fitter now, out to a mile, and will get behind midfield again with room to swoop on a perfect Flemington track.
Kembla Grange R5 #13 Stray $26 at PlayUp – Absolute certainty beaten on the Kenos circuit last start, when we tipped him at big odds and he never got a clear run at the opposition. Out to 1500m now, and his closing figures tell us that no horse from that race would be able to beat him over a further trip. He has huge scope for improvement, and is likely to appreciate a fast run Dulcify here, which should allow him to find cover from the wide alley. He can peel off in the straight and run home, and i’m certain with even luck he finishes top three again.
Kembla Grange R7 #6 Private Eye $3.30 at PlayUp – This horse was electric winning first up in the G3 Show County, bursting clear late in the piece and although only winning by a small margin, did it comfortably in the en. It was a great return, and his scope for improvement now second up in a very similar assignment is massive. His record at this stage reads 3:2-1-0, and will get back and fly home again from the wide draw. Unbeaten from three attempts at this 1300m trip, I have no idea how he isn’t an outright favourite, and we are keen to back him in until he is.
