Racing Tips: Flemington 14/2/2026

R1- A cracking days racing kicks off with the Talindert Stakes for 2yo’s, given the lack of exposed form we will be staying out.

One of the unraced runners Shah Jahan is a watch for future events. He is nicely bred and well related to a Group 3 winner.

The Waller trained Diameter should improve off its solitary run in his first prep where it had some market support,

No Bet

R2- A moderate class of horse here over the 2000M trip, I am going to speck the Maher trained Flamin’ Romans. This fella has had 2 fitness runs over unsuitable trips, gets to his favoured distance, and is 3^rd up where he has an excellent record. The booking of Logan Bates is a big plus for weight relief, he draws softly to get an economical run, and the $14 is very appealing.

Fiorenot is the rightful favourite on the back of excellent recent form, he loved the Flemington track and the extra 200M off its last 2 victories should pose no problem. My only query with him is he is having his 6^th start this time in albeit there has been some spacing between runs.

Seafall is a bit of an in/out character, at its best it can be competitive in a race like this.

Chasing Aphrodite is an interesting runner, it has winning form when fresh previously and the stable is showing intent by kicking off at this trip.

Backing #4 Flamin’ Romans (1.5 win units)

R3- The resuming Ole Dancer fresh off her victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, she is unbeaten first up and has the class to keep that record intact. If there is a small query its map/speed.

Sass Appeal is the obvious danger, she is racing very well recently including a win at this track/trip, she may be able to dictate the speed and if so, could be hard to run down.

Next Jen and Custom have minor claims.

Backing #1 Ole Dancer (2 win units)

R4- Immortal Star is another good bet on the program, backing mares on a winning streak is usually a good recipe and she is in hot form at present. The draw and race shape suggest she will get a few favours in a race where many of her opposition have significant negatives.

Mystic Reign from the Begg stable has taken a few runs to get fit, her recent efforts appear poor on paper but there have been excuses. She was well fancied last start suggesting a good run wasn’t far away. Worth noting that she won her first 3 career starts, usually only above average horses are doing that.

Photograph has decent ability on her day, she can figure, as can Tango Jewel who loves the 1100M and gets in well after Radley’s claim.

Backing #2 Immortal Star (2 win units)

R5- Behaviour is a horse that I’ve had an opinion of on the back of some very good runs last year, unfortunately his recent efforts have left me lamenting. I’m prepared to give him one last chance here for several factors, he’s carrying no weight, gets a small field with decent tempo to assist his run on style, and a repeat of his run at this track a month ago would have him go close here.

Rue De Royal is nicely weighted for a horse that has won over $900K, he is drawn perfectly to camp just off the speed, it’s a big chance.

Ndola is another backmarker who will appreciate a strong speed, he’s a leading contender against this lot.

Fission also gets in with a feather weight and is racing well lately, it won’t be far away when they call halt.

Backing #9 Behaviour (1.5 win units)

R6- The staying race of the day and its not a race I am keen to bet into.

Saint George is the form horse and will be very hard to toss, recently it’s handled most of its opposition easily and will probably do so again. I can see it starting close to even money, not a price I want to take for horses over 2500M. If there is a query it might be the 2500M trip, it hasn’t got the best record past 2000M.

Newfoundland is a lightly raced 7yo who found form last start in Sydney, if they leave it alone in front they will do so at their peril. It gets a nice weight differential on the favourite and finds a race where there seems to be very little speed from other runners to annoy it. If you must play in the race, it could be the smarter bet at around $6.50, especially if the track is favouring on pace runners.

Steel Run is one horse that does run out a strong 2500M, this week mightn’t have him hard fit enough, but he will win one of these races over the next month.

Scary is another lobbing here 2^nd up and will probably need this run to top him off, don’t dismiss him totally though, he is a nice stayer.

No Bet

R7- A small but even field awaits us here, I think I’ll cool my heels on this one also, you can mount a case for very runner.

For the record I have Justadeel marginally on top on the basis that it might settle one/one and get first crack at the leaders, holding on late.

Birdman could be Waller sneaky; he goes well fresh and if he gets the breaks in the straight then he can jump out of the ground.

Sabaj has the most upside and it wont surprise if it blows them away, barrier one may be poison for his racing pattern though.

Cafe Millenium is always a threat in these types of races, he’s particularly effective at the track/trip, 2^nd up less so.

It might be field job in the quaddy.

No Bet

R8- The time-honoured Lightning Stakes and it brings together a crack field of quality sprinters.

I’m settling on the fabulous 3yo Tentyris as my best bet on the card. This exciting colt took all before him last preparation and I see him continuing his winning way here. I particularly like that the stable has stated that he is the most forward he has been at the start of a prep than he has been before. The straight track suits perfectly, he should tuck in behind them for the first half of the race and then unleash his brilliant turn of foot to power past them.

If there are dangers Giga Kick may be one of them, he flies first up, won his only attempt at the track/distance, and is 3 from 5 down the straight. He’s also a winner of almost $15M in prizemoney, thanks Mr Everest.

The other hope is the fabulous filly My Gladiola, she loves Flemington, won her only start at 1000M, gets in well at the weights and has a scintillating sprint late in her races.

Baraqiel is undefeated first up and at 1000M but hasn’t won in 3 attempts at Flemington.

Backing #4 Tentyris (3 win units)

R9- The penultimate event on a great day’s racing, and it’s hard to go past the last start Sydney winner in Sixties. This Waller trained colt showed that he had returned in great fashion with scintillating victory from back in the field. This showed his class and versatility as last time he stepped out to this trip he led all the way and accounted for the outstanding Autumn Boy. Given the anticipated speed here I expect them to take their medicine from barrier 11 and ride him cold as they did last start, he is good enough to finish over the top of them late, the only inhibitor being a leader dominated track.

Those I can entertain as place chances are the other Waller stablemates Officiate and Pictor, as well as the topweight West Of Swindon.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Waller provided the trifecta here.

Backing #2 Sixties (2 win units)

R10- The lucky last and I am backing 2 runners here, the Brisbane mare Philia and the resuming Miss Tarzy at big odds.

Philia is coming off an excellent last preparation where she won 5 of her 7 starts with a little freshen in between. During that campaign she won from 1350M to 2000M, so the 1400M is a perfect kick off point. Prior to arriving in Melbourne, she has had a nice build up with jump outs and trials, slowly building her fitness in readiness for a first up tilt. David Vandyke is an excellent trainer who places his horses well, he hasn’t brought her all this way for the giggles, and his booking of top jockey Ethan Brown shows real intent.

Miss Tarzy did us a huge favour winning at this track/trip first up last time in, if they overcook the speed here, she could replicate that victory. I can’t believe she is $31 in current markets.

Wrote To Arataki won well first up and will get a soft run just behind the speed, she must go into your quaddy.

Grid Girl is having her best prep and can fill a placing.

Sea What I See and Samangu are others with minor claims if you are looking to go wide in your multiples.

Backing #1 Philia (1.5 win units), #8 Miss Tarzy (1 win unit)