Mick’s Mail: Flemington 21/06/2025

R1- The day kicks off with a 1400M event for 2yo’s with not a lot of exposed form.

Of those with a couple of runs behind them, Impending War may be the value of the 3 main hopes. It has won its only 2 starts and looks like a nice improving type who will appreciate the step out in trip.

Observer is the rightful favourite and a strong chance although its frightfully short in the market. Buccleuch is the other hope in a race I won’t be playing in.

No Bet

R2- My best bet on the card is one of our favourite’s in Shockletz. This lovely filly was excellent for us last start, she really knuckled down and attacked the line with gusto. I’m thinking she will have her knockers due to her racing pattern and being a filly against mainly colts and geldings. I’m tipping these factors to impact on her price for our benefit, as a result I won’t be jumping in at the $3 currently on offer, we will get better on race day. Her opposition is only moderate, and she has serious upside. Expect to see her accelerate late and be too good for the boys.

Nearco Frod is the only danger I can see, it relished getting out to the 2000M last start and its European form suggests it will only get better with racing.

Vellasmachine and Frontline Action can fill minor placings.

Backing #3 Shockletz (2.5 win units)

R3- We dash down the famous Flemington straight here and I like 2 horses that enjoy this trip.

My on top selection is Losesomewinmore, this lightly raced gelding is in a purple patch of form, he won his only start 3^rd up, loves the trip and is 2 from 2 at the track/distance. The barrier suits perfectly too, he will be able to sit off a hot speed and pick the best lane to make his run on.

Recommendation is the class runner, the distance is perfect, he ran 3^rd at his only run down the straight and has plenty of ‘group’ racing on his resume. He is worth having a saver.

Midwest, who can pull out a big run on his day and the Tassie visitor Thespian Waters are good place chances.

Cleo Cat was a good win in Adelaide recently and boasts a great record (7 wins from 9 starts), she can win but I can’t entertain the $2.20 and will be betting against her.

Backing #6 Losesomewinmore (1 win unit) and #1 Recommendation (0.5 win unit)

R4- An even race with not much between several runners.

I’ve settled on the improving Darkbonee, I liked his recent effort at Sandown where he battled strongly to the line behind a couple of handy horses. He draws well and gets in with nice weight relief on the 2 faves. I’ll have a small ticket on him.

Dark Simba is flying at present, going for 4 on the trot, he will take a sit on Taken and be the testing material.

Taken is also going for 4 on end, he will give a sight in front although I can’t take $2.70 about him with 60kgs.

Momentz is the knockout, if they overcook it up front he might swoop over the top of them.

Backing #12 Darkbonee (0.5 win unit)

R5- This is a tricky race; you could easily pick 6 runners and still miss the winner.

I was interested in Bright Stripes at his first run here from Ireland and his effort had decent merit. With natural improvement he could be a factor here. He’s worth a small speck.

Red Galaxy is a horse of some promise, if he can overcome an awkward barrier then he should be in the finish.

He’ll Rip gets in fabulously after Ryan Houston’s claim and was a good winner when resuming at Sandown recently, he shouldn’t be dismissed.

Carini has done most of its racing at middle distance staying trips and stays at the 1400M here after a freshen up, watch for him late at massive odds.

Backing #5 Bright Stripes (0.5 win unit)

R6- The staying race of the day and a very even lot of conveyances.

Through Irish Eyes has put in two nice efforts since its jumps victory at the ‘Bool. He will run the trip right out and on the limit weight is a big chance.

The other one I want to back is Muktamil, this fella has a few tricks up his sleeve and was the beneficiary of a perfectly timed ride last start at this track and trip, a repeat will have him right in the finish.

Diwali and Goldenstatewarrior are both chances and must go into the first leg of the quaddy.

Backing #13 Through Irish Eyes and #10 Muktamil (both 0.5 win units)

R7- Splash Back is a promising horse who donkey licked them when resuming, he finds a field here where his opposition have found their level, he could have serious upside. Whilst I think he has the most scope and will probably win, I couldn’t take the $1.75 currently on offer.

Jazz Affair is an honest type who had no luck last start, she will get a cozy run in transit and can surprise at big odds.

Terrestar was stiff last start in a decent race in Brissy recently, the stable has sent her to Melbourne in search of a better surface and she gets that here, don’t dismiss.

Wings Of Song has the best credentials and for that gets a big weight, that is offset somewhat with a claim, she should be around the money.

No Bet

R8- El Soleado appeals here and there won’t be a dry eye in the house if he can salute. He was a massive run last start, the last runner for the late Robbie Laing. That run showed he is very close to another win, and I can see that being here.

Casino Seventeen is a huge query, he is a highly talented galloper transferred over from WA, he boasts excellent first up form, and he showed recently with an excellent jump out at Seymour that he’s ready to fire. I’ll have a small ticket on him as a saver.

Jimmy the Bear has been great this prep and is a danger once again, he rarely runs a poor race.

St Lawrence resumes, he is a very good horse on his day, if he’s fit enough, he can win this.

Backing #11 El Soleado (1.5 win units) and #1 Casino Seventeen (0.5 win unit)

R9- We rip down the straight again to close out the card.

The unbeaten filly Fieldelo is the testing material here. Whilst she rises several grades in class, the way she won at Bendigo last start showed that she is well up to city company. Very few horses win by 7 lengths at only their second start, and she seemed to do it easily. She will sit just off them and give them windburn.

If she has a chink in her armour then Supercilious may be the surprise package, I’ll be having a small bet on her at decent odds. On resuming she raced well down this course, she is also a 2^nd up winner, the $21 seems over the odds.

She’s An Artist won well on debut and looks a likely type and can run well, as can It’s A Yes, he’s better than a $35 chance.

Backing #9 Fieldelo (1.5 win units) and #6 Supercilious (0.5 win unit)

R2-3 best of the day

R8-11

R9-9

R3-6

R1-limited exposed form, perhaps 1,2,4

R2-3xxx best/day…..2….9,11

R3-6x,1….2,8…against 5

R4-12,2,1,10 knockout

R5-tricky, small bet 5,then 10,14,7 flukers hope

R6-even lot 13,10… then 7,8

R7-6 poor value,13,11,1

R8-11xx, saving 1…3,8

R9-backing 9xx, saving 6…12,16

Best of luck if you’re having a play.