The Melbourne Cup Carnival has been brilliant but the best is saved for last, with a couple of cracking Group l events coming this Saturday.
The Darley Classic (1200m) and Emirates Stakes (2000m) will be highlights of the afternoon.
Here is my look at the nine-race card.
Race one: Maribyrnong Plate 1000m
Azael was heavily backed for the Cox Plate and despite not handling the track, he won like a good horse. Zael is a horse with race experience.
Wait For No One did everything right on debut at Caulfield and is a real professional.
Keep an eye out for for Resin too, who trialled well against the older horses.
I’m going with Azael, ahead of Wait For No One, Resin and Cao Cao.
Race two: Starlight Children’s Foundation Plate (90) 2000m
I ended up choosing Master Zephyr, but not with much confidence. He’s back in his class and he is in the right stable. Killmacurragh was dour when winning first up at Pakenham, so the step up to 2000m immediately is ideal.
The best roughie across the day is Nisos. He worked home with purpose in the Country Cup on Manikato night. Next best is Shamkiyr.
Master Zephyr on top, to beat Killmacurragh, Nisos and Shamkiyr.
Race three: Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2600m
Internationals have had a fabulous spring, so I am sticking with Francis Of Assisi, who was a dominant Bendigo Cup winner. He’ll eat up the Flemington 2600m here and will rate highly. Vengeur Masque was a real sleeper in the Caulfield Cup and could have been a top ten horse in the Melbourne Cup. On that basis, he’ll run very well here.
The next best is De Little Engine, who ran well in the Lexus on Saturday, but I am just worried there isn’t much left in the tank.
Francis Of Assisi on top, to beat Vengeur Masque, De Little Engine and Angel’s Touch.
Race four: Hilton Stakes 1400m
If you follow Flemington jump outs, then you’ll be launching into Verstappen. He trialled a couple of Fridays back and went very well alongside Extreme Choice, Astern and others. He was doing it under little pressure himself, and will just need to overcome the tricky gate.
Enigman was a dominant debut winner and has been kept for this. Niccolance beat home the Carbine winner last time out and his stable is in form.
Good bet is Verstappen, ahead of Enigman, Niccolance and Ceylon.
Race five: Antler Luggage Handicap (96) 1600m
There is value in the shape of Petrology. He is about as trustworthy as Garry Harley at the Muswellbrook buffet, but he does save his best for Flemington and this isn’t a strong race.
Mabeel had no luck fresh and when racing in NZ, he wasn’t far off Kawi, New Zealand’s best horse. Observational is now with John Sadler and is perhaps a market watch.
At a price, I’ll go with Petrology, to beat Mabeel, Observational and Lucky Paddy.
Race six: 7News Matriarch Stakes 2000m
Happy Hannah has been specifically set for this race and her last two mile efforts have seen her crying out for 2000m, which she gets here. However, if there is any rain about, I will declare Zanbagh.
Gabella worked home alright last time out behind Smart As You Think, and she will appreciate getting back onto a bigger track.
I’m keen on Happy Hannah. Next best is Zanbagh, followed by Gabella and Tidy Prophet.
Race seven: Emirates Stakes 2000m
The United States looks to be one of the better bets on the program. He ran a beauty in the Cantala last week with no luck, and he won a Group l over 2000m on a seven-day turnaround last time in.
Scottish was enormous in the Caulfield Cup and while that form didn’t quite hold up in the Melbourne Cup, his run was too good to ignore.
Good Standing is the three-year-old kept fresh for this, after contesting the Caulfield Classic.
The bet of the day is The United States, ahead of Scottish, Good Standing and Hauraki.
Race eight: Darley Classic 1200m
The Quarterback is the straight track specialist, so I can’t ignore him. He was a brilliant Gilgai winner, before working home with purpose in the Manikato. He saves his best for this track and this isn’t a strong edition of the race.
Lankan Rupee had no luck when resuming at Caulfield, getting badly held up. He gets a weight pull on Our Boy Malachi, and he too is lethal down the straight. The X-factor is Spieth, who produced a Group l horse performance to win first up.
I’m going with The Quarterback, ahead of Lankan Rupee, Spieth and English.
Race nine: Emirates Airline Handicap 1400m
My love for Lord Aspen had tapered off for a bit, but I am back on board after he spanked his rivals last Saturday. Lord Aspen has an outstanding record at this track and distance, and only has upside.
Santa Ana Lane had no luck at the Valley on Manikato night and he really has had no luck this time in. If he gets it here, he’ll go awfully close. Ulmann ran in the Crystal Mile and was good without much luck behind The United States and should get the run of the race from the gate.
Finishing the week with Lord Aspen, to beat Santa Ana Lane, Ulmann and Lucky Liberty.
Good luck and happy punting.
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