Racing Tips: Flemington 17/01/2026

R1- With very little exposed form, we will be staying out.

No Bet

R2- The staying race of the day and the last start winner Scintillante looks primed to springboard off its latest victory, steps up in class, and continues its winning way. It is drawn perfectly to get a soft run, and Mott sticks, a positive attribute given he is in very good form.

Leonchroi was another good last start winner following on from 2 nice second placings. He is lightly raced, beautifully bred for the longer trips and hails from an excellent stable.

Navy Heart is racing in great heart and will be competitive, although she does have the outside barrier to contend with.

Eagle Angel is a chance with its rails draw, and Houston’s claim.

Backing #5 Scintillante (1.5 win units)

R3- A very even race presents here, probably not an event I want to play in.

Wrigley Field’s recent efforts suggest the step up in distance will suit perfectly. He is lightly raced, gets nice weight relief for Jackson Radley, and maps to get a nice run from just off the speed.

Gold Chariot has shown nice ability in both its 2^nd placed efforts, I like his breeding profile and the 2000M looks the perfect fit at this stage.

Our Chief and The Mean Fiddler are both leading hopes but no value at the current prices on offer.

No Bet

R4- The first of our good bets on the card is Yes I Know. This lightly raced fella has improved at each start since resuming and the 1800M at his fourth run in is perfect. Drawn low to get an economical run, Zahra steers, and it will find a very winnable race.

Frontline Action will be around the money, it won well when resuming at Tatura over a mile recently, draws the rails and gets a couple of kilos off for young Cartwright. He is bred to easily handle the rise in distance; he’ll be strong late.

Figlio D’argento is one to throw into your trifecta’s, he has had excuses lately and a big run wont surprise.

Dark Simba is hard fit now; he has ability and will be thereabouts.

Backing #14 Yes I Know (2 win units)

R5- Our best bet of the day is the Maher trained Celerity. This lovely mare has returned this prep a much better conveyance, she showed that with a dominating win at this track on New Years Eve. The additional 100M will pose no issue, the barrier gives the hoop a few options, and she only needs to run up to her latest effort to be winning this.

Vain Champagne is the hardest to beat, she gets a favourable map. Mott goes on first time which is always a plus, and her recent effort was first class.

Other minor hopes are Out Of Square and Mauna Kea Miss for your exotics.

Backing #6 Celerity (3 win units)

R6- Somewhere repaid our faith last start and I see him repeating the dose here. He has taken a while to really get his head in the right place; I love the fact that he returns to a track/distance where he has had a very positive experience. With natural improvement off his last start, he will prove a tough nut to crack.

Jimmy The Bear is the class runner, although he must give Somewhere 7kgs in weight, he is good enough to overcome that and the 1600M is his sweet spot.

Harry’s Yacht has been very good this time in and will be around the money; he draws well and gets more ticks with the in-form stable/jockey.

Merrigold hasn’t won for some time but is a mare with ability, she can fill a minor place.

Backing #5 Somewhere (2 win units)

R7- Sweethearted is another that was overdue for a win and he didn’t let us down recently. Prior to his latest victory he didn’t receive the best opportunity in those 2 races, the open spaces of the ‘straight six’ and a smallish field will allow him to balance up and finish hard late to beat this lot.

Red Galaxy is the biggest threat, he flies 2^nd up, is undefeated at 1200M, and his effort when resuming from a ‘tie-back’ operation showed that he has taken no ill effects from that procedure.

Moby Dick and Dirty Grin are both nice horses with claims, they must go into the quaddy.

Backing #10 Sweethearted (2 win units)

R8- A tricky event presents here, namely due to the unknown tempo. The top two horses are the best by some distance in my opinion; I have Saint George marginally in front of Berkeley Square. At this stage I probably won’t be betting.

That said, Darkbonee is racing in career best form and has gone up favourite. Whilst it has a chance, I am prepared to risk it at the cramped odds and wide barrier.

Jenni’s Meadow has a better than outside chance and if the favoured ones slip up then she could be the one to surprise.

No Bet

R9- The first upper Saganti appeals to me here, this import has had a few Aussie runs to acclimatise itself and this campaign could be the making of him. At his first run when arriving he contested at Group 3 race where he was respected in the market and finished only 1.2L from Faulkner Park, a horse that would start red odds against this lot. On that basis I am happy to play at the $15, that seems luxurious for a horse of its ability.

Zouper Fund has above average ability, supported by winning 5 times from only 8 starts. He has a sticky gate to contend with but gets Zahra to try and offset that.

Until Valhalla is a roughie with a knockout chance, and Botanical Boy is in a rich vein of form, he can’t be dismissed.

Backing #2 Saganti (1.5 win units)

R10- The lucky last, and you will need every bit of good fortune here if you are playing, I found it very tough.

Sass Appeal is on top, although I couldn’t take anywhere near the price available. She is a lovely filly and with even luck will go very close.

The Volta is another nice filly; she will be charging home albeit needing luck from its inside draw.

Jewel Bandit is undefeated after two starts and this son of Pierata may continue its winning streak here. The manner by which it has been going about its business has been most commendable.

Our Justify will appreciate the extra 200M, look for him late. He is better than an $18 chance.

No Bet

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