Flemington Park Racing Preview: 20th January – Dean McHugh

With some of Australia’s very best racing just around the corner, this Saturday, Flemington is putting on a superb ten race card, which should serve as the perfect appetiser. 

In this article, we will take a look at every race on Saturday’s card in the hope that we can find you some winners.

Let’s get tipping!

Race 1: Howden Australian Guineas Day, 2 March (1600m)

An open handicap kicks off Saturday’s card and the race looks set to be between two horses, Suparazi and Bermadez.

Of the two, it is Suparazi who was the most recent winner, but that victory came at big odds, and it remains to be seen whether she will have the class to hold off Bermadez.

Although without a win in any of his last ten starts, he does boast a 28% career strike rate and is never too far away. He has warmed up for this contest with three consecutive second-place finishes and will be hoping to go one place better here.

On paper, this should be a straight battle between the two.

Race 2: Victoria Life Member Robert Lane Trophy (2520m)

Eleven horses will head down to post for our second race of the day, and most of the pre-race betting is likely to focus on Galilaeus.

Lightly raced in comparison to some of his rivals, he has recorded two victories from his seven starts and looks well-placed to add another here. 

Despite Galilaeus’s potential class, he won’t have it all his own way, and there are several others in with a real shot at victory. 

One Last Kiss is a likeable type and is never usually far away. Twice a winner, and she has placed in four of her last six starts and is likely to give a good account of herself once again. 

Wertheimer and Winds of March were last time out winners, and at bigger prices, could be worth considering.

Race 3: Tour D’Horse Trophy (1200m)

Twelve horses will compete for glory in the Tour D’Horse Trophy. Expected to start as the favourite is Kiko.

She heads into this race fresh off the back of a victory last time out and has been getting better with each run. Having placed in all five of her last races before that win, it would be a major shock if she wasn’t competing at the head of affairs once more. 

If looking to take Kiko on, a popular selection looks to be Rich Lover. A winner of two of his ten career starts, he is a consistent type and rarely finishes outside of the places. At almost double the price of the favourite, he looks a good alternative.

Hooah Havana and Projeto were both last time out winners, and neither can be discounted here. 

Lescot and Seacryption were also victorious when last seen, but both of those wins came in lower-graded contests. Whilst they will need to take a huge leap, both could hold an outside squeak. 

Race 4: Be A Mate, Nominate Trophy (1100m)

Stefi Magnetica is likely to dominate the betting in the fourth race of the day and could be one of the most popular horses of the entire meeting. 

A winner of both her last starts, she could have too much class for most in this field, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her notch a third consecutive victory.

Hoping to make a race of it will be Spicy Margs. Whilst she has form to find with the favourite, her chances shouldn’t be overlooked. A winner of one of her five career starts, her second place last time out should offer encouragement for those wanting to back her.

At bigger odds, Celestial Storm will head into the contest in fine form following two wins in her last three starts. She isn’t without hope. 

The same can be said of Power Ballad, who will be hoping to improve on her narrow second when last seen. 

Race 5: Black Caviar Lightning Race Day, 17 February (1100m)

Named after one of the best horses that the world has ever seen, eleven horses will battle it out for this prestigious prize. 

Three horses stand out from the rest of the field – Sans Doute, Kin and A Little Deep. 

Of the three, it’s only Kin who wasn’t victorious when last seen, but due to the high level of her previous efforts, she is expected to jump off as the favourite. 

Despite not having won in her last four starts, she is no stranger to the winner’s circle and is usually on the premises. 

There seems to be little to separate Sans Doute and A Little Deep. Both were solid winners last time out, but it’s A Little Deep who seems to be the most consistent. A winner of three of her five career starts, she looks more than capable of adding another victory here.

If you are looking for an alternative angle, Luna Cat could be an interesting selection. Although she doesn’t boast the class of the principles, she has some good recent form and could pull off the upset.

Race 6: Victoria Life Member John Dale Mile (1600m)

The John Dale Mile looks like one of the most competitive races of Saturday’s card, with a whole host of horses looking to hold a serious chance. 

Zamborghini looks like one of the most progressive horses in the field and looks to hold serious claims. A winner of two of his last four starts, he has four wins from ten career starts and looks to have a great chance of adding to his haul here. 

Botany is another prolific winner and heads into the race boasting a 20% strike rate. With one win in his last three contests, he has finished inside the places in eight of his last ten races. Remarkably consistent, he looks capable of another big run. 

Outside of the top two, Naval Seal and El Soleado could be worth a second look. 

El Soleado doesn’t boast the winning form of others but rarely finds himself out of the picture. With four consecutive placed finishes, he could be worth a shout at a bigger price. 

Race 7: Victoria Super Saturday, 9 March

Race seven of Flemington’s card looks to be between two horses, Rey Magnerio and Jungle Jim.

Rey Magnerio has established himself as a fine horse. A winner of five of his seven career starts, his victory last time out wasn’t the cleanest and worryingly for the rest of his rivals there could be even more to come.

Whilst Jungle Jim can’t quite match Rey Magnerio’s winning credentials, he has still won six of his fifteen career starts, including a great win last time out. He certainly has the ability to give his rivals a real race.

Although the top two in the betting should take some stopping, Dehorned Unicorn looks to hold a live outside chance. Although he hasn’t won in any of his last ten races, he has been inside the winner’s circle on numerous occasions. If it falls right, he could well be capable of a shock.

Race 8: TAB Australian Cup Race Day, 30 March

One of the highlights of Saturday’s card is the eighth race, where a whopping twenty horses are due to head down to post. 

Races of this nature are so hard to predict, but there are some horses that arrive in great form. 

No horse will arrive in better form than Dublin Journal. A winner of his last two starts, he is creeping up the weights but will look to make a bold bid for a third consecutive victory. 

Greta Moon boasts similar form lines to Dublin Journal and has won both of her last two contests. Another big run can be expected.

Divine Purpose could be one of the shortest priced horses in the field. Certainly not a prolific winner, she has placed in two of her last three contests and will revel in Saturday’s conditions. A winner of four of her twelve career starts, she warrants major respect. 

Chevalier Du Fau, Slane and Stormy Grey were winners last time out and could be players back at a bigger price.

Race 9: Victoria Life Member Daniel Connell Trophy (1400m)

Another big field awaits in the penultimate race of the day, but there will be high hopes that Bel Air can continue his recent good form. 

A winner when last seen, he had finished in the places in three consecutive races before his victory and seems to be running well every time he hits the track. 

Connections of Helix will be hoping for a big run. A runner-up on both of his last two starts, he has now gone five races without a win and will be hoping to rewrite the script here. He could be a player at a decent price. 

Rumbled Again has won five of his twenty-four career starts and arrives on the back of two third-place finishes. He is another who could play a part. 

Riot And Rose was a late scratch last time out but is bidding to win a second consecutive race. He arrives in good heart and is another contender at a larger price. 

Race 10: Victoria Life Member Anthony Yencken (1000m)

A fascinating sprint contest concludes Saturday’s card, and like many of the previous races, there are several horses who look capable of victory.

Johnny Rocker looks likely to start as the one they will all need to beat. A winner of two of his first six races, he has been without a win since and will be hoping to resume winning ways here.

Lakota Fire can boast a similar strike rate, having won two of his first four starts. He ran a poor race when last seen and has subsequently been gelded. There will be high hopes that he can bounce back to form.

Mornington Glory is more experienced than his two rivals and will be looking to build on two consecutive runner-up finishes. Wonderfully consistent, he can often be tapped for pace. However, if everything can fall into place he could be a danger to all in the field.