Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Flemington meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Good 4
Rail Position: Out 8m entire circuit
GRAND PROMENADE should get away with this. Dominant at Hillside two starts back then just found one a little too good here last start. He can bounce back to winners stall.
NORWAY battled on well enough to hold a placings at Mornington two starts back then led at Caulfield before tiring last 200m. Looking for him to go forward and at big odds may sneak a place.
SOCIAL ELEMENT resumes from spell. He won first-up last time in work but that was over the hurdles. Placed in a Queensland Cup over two miles two back. Been over the jumps in a couple of trials leading into this.
SMOKIN’ PIERRO kept coming out wide when placed behind the in-form Excelman at Caulfield last start. If he can hold that form he will be right in the mix.
Tip: GRAND PROMENADE
DON’TTELLTHEBOSS just found one a little better this track last start. Placed in two of her last three starts and she looks ready to find the winners stall.
SNICKERDOODLEDANDY comes into this primed third-up from spell since coming across the Nullabor. Loomed to win at 200m here last start but was overran final stages. She will be in finish.
LA VINA relished the heavy to win at Wangaratta two starts back then beaten less than 2 lengths here last start. Racing well enough to be included in chances.
JAY JAY D’AR comes to Melbourne after leaving Chris Waller stable. Just missed in a driving finish at Eagle Farm last start. If she can bring that form south she can sneak into a place.
Tip: DON’TTELLTHEBOSS
THOUGHT OF THAT has not missed a place in three first-up tries. Expect that he will roll along in front and if they leave him alone he may steal this from the corner.
DARLAMAX resumes from spell. Won three in a row in Adelaide last prep and just missed prior to break. Races well fresh and would not leave him out of chances.
PETRUCHIO is another fresh from a spell. He was placed on the heavy ground at Ballarat last time in work and finished campaign with two solid wins. If forward enough will figure.
BEEHUNTER was doing best work final stages when placed at Lakeside first-up. Sure to be better from the outing and from inside gate gets his chance.
Tip: THOUGHT OF THAT
Going to have something each way on SISTINE EXPLORER. She was backed into favourite at Geelong on debut and made good late ground after being held up in the straight. Sure to be better from the race experience.
MOON OVER ALICE quickly loomed up and took over soon after straightening at Geelong and held on bravely for maiden win. Big step up but she can sneak into a placing.
VIVIANE took on a G3 Blue Diamond Preview at her only start but had no luck in running and did few things wrong from the corner. Expect she will have matured and she can improve.
ARGENTIA is a beautifully bred filly making her debut. Showed enough in winning a Balnarring jumpout and expect she will have plenty of support.
Tip: SISTINE EXPLORER
RUBISAKI powered home to grab and eye catching Group 1 placing two starts back then did not finish off as expected at Morphettville last start. Loves this track and distance (4:3-0-0) and she gets her chance to return to winners stall.
YULONG JANUARY raced up on the speed and held off late challengers for good strong win here last start. Looks the likely speed again and he will be the one they have to catch.
OCULAR was impressive winning at Warrnambool two starts back then disappointed here last start. He is better than that and can bounce back in this.
ODEON chased home steadily when placed here first-up from spell. He rarely runs a bad race and although did not find the winners stall last prep was consistent. A must for place chances.
Tip: RUBISAKI
Found one that I like at odds in this in SWEET SIXTEEN. She won her first couple on the provincial circuit this campaign then has followed up with a couple of placings including last start this track behind Standoff. I think she is still improving and her odds are very generous.
CUMBERBATCH was beaten less than a length here last start. This looks no harder and another at very juicy odds for each way players.
MICHIGAN is racing in super form. Dominant maiden winner at Lakeside two back then odds on at Bendigo last start and again won well. On home track and he can measure up to these.
STANDOFF was $21 into $14 here last start and powered over them final stages for eye catching win. Will be giving them a start on the corner but has big finish so watch late.
Tip: SWEET SIXTEEN
I have been on REDWOOD SHADOW every start this time in and although he is yet to find the winners stall I am certainly not going to jump off him especially when Jamie Kah jumps aboard. He is promising stayer and gets chance to win.
MARCOLT was beaten less than a length here two starts back then made late ground here last start and not beaten far. Drawn bit awkwardly but can sneak a placing.
REUBER is threatening to win a race like this. Got close at Caulfield two starts back and was beaten barest margin this track last start. Gets in a winnable race.
SWEET KAROLINA was tough winning at Geelong two back then hit the line to sneak a placing here last start. She rarely runs a bad race and must include in multiples.
Tip: REDWOOD SHADOW
Thought that MUNTASEERA should have won at Caulfield last start when just arrived a fraction too late and could not reel leader in. She will sit back and hopefully with some cover. If she gets clear room last 200m she can get away with this.
THE BIG EASY deserves a win after a string of placings leading into this. Overran last 100m when looked winner here last start. Expect he will go close again.
ALL OF BRIGHTON powered over them last 200m for big win from the back here last start. If he can hold that form he can make it two in a row.
THUDSON won in a canter at Bendigo first-up then he has followed with a couple of sound placings in town. He has plenty of speed and will be in this for a long way.
Tip: MUNTASEERA
EXCELMAN is in a purple patch of form and comes into this off a clear win at Caulfield last start. He only needs to produce something similar and he will be right in the mix.
SIGNIFICANCE is massive odds in this but he looks primed to find his best form and will go forward and put himself in a prominent spot. Just overraced a little last start before tiring. If he settles he can sneak a place.
MASERATIE BAY comes into this ready third-up from spell. Placings in both runs back including this track last start. Barrier is his biggest concern.
SOMERSET MAUGHAM has just been little one paced in his three runs back from spell but he showed last prep he had the ability to measure up to these and would not leave out at odds.
Tip: EXCELMAN