Flemington, Saturday, 2/7

Conditions - Soft

Race 1

2- SELBUROSE

7- MEGAMEA

4- IL AFFARE

SELBUROSE draws an inside barrier and likes to run on speed, so she looks like she will get a gun run and should be able to control the race tempo and be every chance. MEGAMEA is current race fave, recent form this prep has been strong including a 1st up win. She ran well here last run so expect her to be prominent again. IL AFARE is on only her 2nd star here in Australia. She has some strong NZ form lines but expecting her to improve getting out over a further trip.

Race 2

2- THRON BONE

4- ZOU SENSATION

11- WITHOUT ENVY

THRON BONE best a smart horse home last week at Caulfield, he has shown enough early in his career to suggest he is a smart type, if he can handle the quick back up, he might prove hard to hold out late. ZOU SENSATION is 2nd up after winning a debut race at Murray Bridge. There looked another pair of smart runner from that race, he should handle himself in this. WITHOUT ENVY is on debut today. She has trialled nicely here and here is some good early market support which is always a strong sign for debutants.

Race 3

1- BELLA ROUGE (BEST OF DAY)

8- LIBERATED GIRL

2- MY YANKEE

BELLA ROUGE comes into this off the back of a pair of wins and in good level races. She comes into this with some nice Sydney form lines which stack up here. Won over this track/distance 2 starts back. LIBERATED GIRL was finishing off really strongly when finishing 5th here 1st up. She is 2nd up today and she may have an improved fitness level which could see here find the extra few lengths. MY YANKEE was an impressive last start winner at Sandown. She likes wet track conditions and has a good level of race experience vs others in this field.

Race 4

1- KINGS CONSORT

4- QUANG TRI

5- HOOPS

KINGS CONSORT & QUANG TRI battled each other right to the line in their last start at Swan Hill. QUANG TRI did go home with the win, but keen on KINGS CONSORT to flip the script on that result today. He is drawn a lot better which should see him get the softer run and he may need that softer run rising in distance for this. HOOPS was an impressive winner at Sandown last start in a small field, beating home a well fancied runner. This is a step up in grade from that, but she competed well against some handy runners in her debut prep.

Race 5

4- ROCK UP

3- PHERE THE EX

5- SHADOW HAWK

ROCK UP had to endure a tough run here at Flemington last start but he was really coming home strongly and that was over the 2000m. Gets out to 2500m today which looks like it will really suit and he should be hard to hold out. PHERE TO EX recently competed well in 2 Group level races in SA. He is proven out over this trip after those recent runs. Was 2nd last start behind one in this field but he will probably appreciate coming off a heavy track onto something a bit dryer. If the conditions stay at this level or get worse. It should really bring SHADOW HAWK into the better chances. He does his best work when it is wet and form this prep has been strong.

Race 6

1- MASERARTIE BAY

3- SAUNTER BOY

5- PESTO

MASERARTIE BAY was a winner here at Flemington last start, he was given the lead and took control of the race out in front. Maps for a similar run here again from a good barrier and a race lacking speed. If he is gets it soft up front again, he should be hard to beat. Am one of the biggest fans on the hurdler SAUNTER BOY. He definitely is better when going over the jumps, but has the fitness level to see this out and has placed on a strong flat race here at Flemington in the last 12 months. PESTO chased home MASERARTIE BAY in their last start. He has had 4 runs this prep and hasn’t missed the top 3 yet including 2 wins.

Race 7

1- SAVATOXL

6- ZAC DE BOSS

5- SARTORIAL SPLENDOUR

SAVATOXL is a proven Group 1 performer and winner. That is some strong form for a race like this. Loves running on the rail and should get that chance down the straight if it is the right place to be on the track by this time of the day. ZAC DE BOSS is in form and has won his past 2 races both down the Flemington straight. He is becoming something of a straight track specialist now. SARTORIAL SPLENDOUR was 2nd behind ZAC DE BOSS down the straight last start. He is drawn out wide where there is potential that could be the better part of the track by this time of the day.

Race 8

3- TOO CLOSE THE SUN (EW/VALUE OF DAY)

12- TUVALU

5- LOOKS LIKE ELVIS

TUVALU is a class runner and looks a super chance here again. Has never missed the quinella in any of his 10 career starts and has been tracking through grades nicely. Have a query on how he will run from the widest barrier, so I’m willing to risk some value with TOO CLOSE THE SUN. Failed when 1st up and on debut in Victoria, but he is a good improver when 2nd up. So at about the $20 range currently, looks way overs, especially for a runner who might get a soft run out in front. LOOKS LIKE ELVIS was a winner here 2 back and then contested well at Listed level in NSW, usually runs strongly when 3rd up.

Race 9

3- CARDINAL GEM

5- LITERARY MAGNATE

1- JIMMY THE BEAR

CARDINAL GEM backs up for this after a good last start win, he looks as if the rise up to the 1600m will really suit how he has been finishing off these last few. Has had strong early market support which is a good indicator. LITERARY MAGNATE is a super consistent type, went down last start as a short price fave, coming off a heavy track may help her improve today. JIMMY THE BEAR has beaten home CARDINAL GEM when they have faced each other recently, has a big weight swing due to that fact, but loves the track.

Quaddie

1,3,5,10

1,3,5,6

3,5,12,15

1,3,5