This weekend features a great pair of races at Flemington, including the Australia Cup. Here’s my preview of what’s in store.
Newmarket Handicap 1200m at Flemington – eighth March
This race is shaping up to be a cracker.
we have two of the form sprinters in the country going head to head in Moment Of Change and Lankan Rupee who are both coming off impressive Group 1 wins.
Then there’s Lankan Rupee’s stablemate Samaready who ran a really good third behind Snitzerland last start in the Group 1 Lightning Express.
In the past there has been a very high strike rate of horses that ran first or second in the Lightning Stakes backing up and winning the Newmarket.
Last year’s winner of the Newmarket, Shamexpress, would be the one that history suggests will be playing a major role. He will be carrying 4.5kgs more than last year but is very capable.
An interesting point to note is that Samaready’s jockey, Craig Newitt, has passed up the ride on current favourite Lankan Rupee which is astounding after seeing his last two starts.
Unpretentious and Shamal Wind both had handy runs last start and an improved showing would not be a surprise.
Even Moment Of Change looks good if you feel he can carry the allotted weight of 58kgs. After last start one would have to think he can!
Australian Cup 2000m Weight For Age at Flemington – eighth March
The Australian Cup is one of the oldest races on the Australian calendar and this year’s race is another mouth-watering event.
The past two Melbourne Cup winners, last year’s Caulfield Cup winner and a couple of up and coming stars will be on show in this race.
The early betting sees Fiorente as the short priced early favourite after last starts gutsy win in the 1800m Group 2 at Caulfield, he will be very hard to beat stepping out to 2000m only negative is losing star jockey Damien Oliver through suspension.
Because of the short favourite there is lots of value for the rest of the runners. Ones of special note are Mourayan, who was super impressive when finishing well last start behind Fiorente and also Star Rolling, who should be one of the fittest in this race and is a horse on ‘the up’.
A big showing from these two wouldn’t surprise.
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
