After a tough week last time out, where we couldn’t get the chocolates, we will try our luck again this week and hopefully bring something home.
This week’s program comes to us from Flemington, highlighted by the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap run over 1200 metres up the straight.
As usual, I will be previewing the early quaddie, which is races two through to five, and the regular quaddie, which is races six through to nine.
First leg – VRC Member John Gubbins Handicap 1400m
The recently turned three-year-olds do battle in a BM70 over the 1400 metres.
2 Loch Oir has won his past two starts, including his most recent run at this track and distance. 3 Zunbaqa won at the all-weather track down in Geelong before heading over to Adelaide, where she has won her past two starts, including a four-length win over this distance last start.
5 Decorated Solider is an interesting runner coming over from Sydney from the Snowden stables, has been running solidly, so must respect it. 7 Benny Goes Berzerk is from the Weir stable and has been running solidly, was well backed at Sandown last start, and was sound there. 1400 metres should suit.
12 Whyouask won well on debut at Echuca and then was sound at Sandown, doing her best work late.
Suggestions: 2-3-5-7-12
Second leg – VRC Memeber Wendy Johnson Handicap 2000m
1 Almandin hit the line well in his Australian debut seven weeks ago, was a great run considering the track bias, and has a very good record. 2 Killarney Kid from the Weir stable loves this distance and was a runner here last start on July 9. Has trialed since then, on July 26 over the 2000 metres.
3 Pin Your Hopes is flying at the moment, shooting for four straight wins. 2000 metres is a worry, but Ben Thompson takes the ride and gets the claim, so you must include it.
4 Rhythm to Spare has been solid enough his last couple, 2000 metres is a query but does get the claim for Ben Allen. 5 Golden Mane was unlucky last start, when he was well backed from double figure odds, his record at 2000 metres is sound and Beau Mertens gets the claim.
Suggestions; 1-2-3-4-5
Third leg – VRC Member Allen Aylett Handicap 1700m
1 Taiyoo is a classy horse and has a solid record, resuming last time was solid in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes. Does have the 60 kilos, but can win on that fresh run.
2 Petrology is a bit of a strange animal but if he lives up to his potential he can win this race – Cory Parish is riding well and he just missed out four weeks ago here, when running second to Iggimacool in the Winter Championship Final.
4 Royal Rapture is in good form, won well here on July 23, and gets a little weight relief. 5 Falago is racing well but is back in trip here, which is interesting, coming off a six-week break.
7 Lord Durante has had plenty of excuses but continues to run solidly, sound here last start and in the mix again.
Suggestions: 1-2-4-5-7
Last leg – VRC Member Daniel Maher Handicap 1400m
3 Duke of Brunswick was a sitting duck last time and no match for Ulmann, who he meets again here, but he has a good 1400-metre record.
6 Ulmann was good resuming behind Duke of Bruswick and then beat him last start, so definitely can win again. I’m keen on 11 Pilote D’essai – keep an eye on him for the spring, as he won well on his Australian debut at Bendigo over the same distance. Is coming off a 20-week break, but hit the line nicely in a recent jumpout.
Suggestions: 5-6-11
First leg – Jockey Celebration Day Handicap 1000m
We kick things off here in the regular quaddie with a race for the sprinters.
3 Rough Justice is resuming here and is yet to miss running in the first three when first up, likes the straight. In the Sir John Monash 4 Trevinder was unsuited at weight-for-age, but did win second-up last time.
5 Profit Share is first up, found the line last time when he was first up, and has won first up in the past. Had a recent trial on July 26, which he won and looked good.
8 Gun Case is flying winners his past three, has good form around the 1000 metres and should be suited here. 11 Shaf coming off an eight-week freshen up, has been top five in his last ten runs, and has good form in open handicap grade. The only query with him is the straight.
12 O’Malley resumes here and is unbeaten fresh, including a big win at Moonee Valley when he was first-up last time. Has a good 1000-metre record and had a recent trial on July 6, looking good in winning that trial.
14 Runsati ran second last time he was here, before having a big task ahead of him at WFA level last time out, comes back in grade and back to 1000 metres.
Suggestions: 3-4-5-8-11-12-14
Second leg – Aurie’s Star Handicap 1200m
Our feature race of the day has some handy horses involved.
1 Dibayani is resuming here, and when last that was the case he ran fourth to Winx over 1400 metres, so has to be respected.
2 Smart Volatility won the Ramornie last start in Grafton, and since then has had a trial on July 29, which he won, so looks to be well in this race.
5 Tashbeeh is first up here off a 20-week spell. Just missed last time out when fresh, has won fresh in the past, and has form around Malaguerra.
9 Ruettiger won here four weeks ago and has been racing well. If 11 Beirut runs here, she might run in Adelaide, and should be competitive wherever she goes.
13 Sooboog giving Sooboog another chance here – wasn’t far away last start here, when finishing fourth only beaten a length. Today could be the day.
Suggestions: 1-2-5-9-11-13
Third leg – VRC Member John Lee Handicap 1400m
1 Miss Softhands gets a pretty sound return and has a great second-up record. 2 My Sister Lil just hasn’t had any luck, but has been finishing pretty close to the place getters.
I don’t remember the last time 3 Lahqa finished outside of the top five, she comes off a seven-week break and will be hard to beat. 10 Kaniana made good ground fresh and was sound at Caulfield last start, so the step up to 1400 metres looks ideal.
12 Stylemaker was good here last start, winning over the same distance. 13 Just Stellar was second to Stylemaker last time, so she has a chance to turn the tables.
Suggestions: 1-2-3-10-12-13
Last leg – VRC Member Keli Sponner Handicap 1200m
3 Heza Ripper has a good record on soft tracks and over the 1200 metres, so should be competitive.
5 Manhattan Blues hit the line well last start behind Magicus, who was unlucky at Caulfield last start, so has some claims here.
7 Badajoz was a good closer last start here, and had to lump the 60 kilos. Gets weight relief, so should go close. 11 Camdus was good first up, and then you have to forgive him second up when wide comes back to the 1200 metres.
17 Tyrannize looked home last start here, but was nabbed late to finish second.
Suggestions: 3-5-7-11-17
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