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Opinion
It looked a good meeting at Flemington on Saturday with some impressive efforts to the eye… but was it backed up on the clock? Here’s a review of the meeting and a horse or two to follow.
Flemington track
The track started off as a Good 4, but after race four it went to a Good 3. It was a Good 3 before race one and the time of the first race suggested as much. This whole idea that a track has to be rated a Good 4 before the first is rubbish. Just say what it is: a Good 3.
Track played super. Nothing really came up nearer the inside but that’s been the case in recent meetings at the track.
Blue Diamond contender?
On the clock, yes, Profiteer is in the mix for the Blue Diamond, or the Inglis Millennium. Whichever race they target, he’s high up in contention. Clocked the second best last 400m of the straight races, third best of the meeting. Overall time of 62.8 was only a few lengths off a seven year track record. Stable has him high up in terms of their juveniles and off this win, I can understand why. He’s a very smart young colt.
Sit/sprint
Race three was a real jog trot, really. First 1120 metres was run in around 1.10, which is slower than a barrier trial. The last 400 metres was the second best of the meeting, likewise the last 200. Those from the back really had no chance, so the run of Hasseltoff was very good in defeat.
Chief Altony had the suck run but didn’t find, probably an end of prep run. Coolth just wants ground and I think there is a 2000 metre race at Flemington in a couple of weeks for him. That looks a lovely race for him.
(Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Lightning Stakes on the cards
That was the talk after the win of Fabergino down the straight. The Darley Classic was a bridge too far. Her peak figures in Melbourne have come over 1000 metres and down the Flemington straight, so if they are going to tackle a Group l in Melbourne, the Lightning will be her best chance. No surprise they ran the best last 400 metres and 200 metres of the meeting.
Prezado was excellent in defeat. Just bumped into a very good mare and is a coming winner down the straight shortly. He is the only horse I want to be following from the race, and maybe William Thomas. The rest are either out of form or will be in the paddock.
Walkers I
Race six looks a real worry moving forward. They didn’t go out hard, first 600 metres in a tick under 36, so they were entitled to finish off hard. They’ve come home in 23.28 last 400m, last 200m in 12.12. In terms of straight races, this was clearly the worst of the straight races and relative to the day, it was poor. I’m happy to let this one go through to the keeper as a form reference. Looks very suspect.
Walkers II
Race eight is the one that looks the most concerning as a form reference. They didn’t break any records in the early part of the race and have come home moderately relative to the day.
Last 400 metres of 23.62 and last 200 metres of 12.17 was the worst of the meeting. They look a suspect bunch. Winner Somerset Maughan looks the most progressive of the lot… but the lot look average and don’t want to be with them over the coming weeks.
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