Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Flemington meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Soft 7
Rail Position: Out 11m entire circuit
Liked the way that BACK IN THE DAY finished the race off when placed last start and that made it two placings in a row. Comes up at nice each way odds and will have something the win and more the place.
SECRET GLAMOUR was impressive winning on debut at Cranbourne. Sure to be better from the race experience and she looks city class.
BON VIVANT is a beautifully bred colt who has been kept safe by Goldolphin. Showed enough when he jumped out at Flemington to suggest he has ability and he will be supported at first start.
CELESTIAL FURY is a debutant from the Busuttin/Young stable. Ridden along to win recent Cranbourne jumpout and he looks ready for the racetrack.
Tip: BACK IN THE DAY
FANCIFUL TOFF has had some throat issues at his last couple of starts and been disappointing. Hopefully the stable have got on top of those problems and he can find his best in this field.
VIVIDREDSKY looks close to a win after three solid placings leading into this. Chased home dominant winner this track last start and only needs to hold that form to be a factor in this.
SMOKIN’ PIERRO ran into a minor spot here last start. That made it two city placings in a row and cannot leave him out of multiples again.
NORWAY resumes from spell. Mixed his form a little in three runs last time in work but he has plenty of ability and may run cheeky race fresh.
Tip: FANCIFUL TOFF
Was on MODEAR here last start and she did not let me down with a good strong win. Going to stick with her and she can make it two in a row.
EXPRESS PASS comes into this ready third-up from spell. Placed here two starts back then just missed in driving finish at Hillside on the heavy ground last start. Major player.
ZORRO’S DREAM was placed here two starts back then just missed when favourite at Geelong last start. He looks close to win and can measure up to these.
MONTENEGRO MAN resumes from spell. Has solid first-up record (5:1-2-1) and on his home track first-up would not leave out of chances.
Tip: MODEAR
DON’TTELLTHEBOSS has been a model of consistency this time in but just finding it hard to win. This no harder and she goes on top at each way value.
WITCHFULTHINKING led throughout to win at Warrnambool two starts back then she was only claimed last few strides here last start. If she gets her own way in front she will take running down.
MAXIMAK was placed in Group 2 company in Adelaide two starts back then rider concerned with action when poor last start. Trialed since and would be looking for her to bounce back.
PARMIE comes into this third-up from spell. Beaten less than 2 lengths first-up at Caulfield then never handled the heavy ground last start. If she can get firmer ground she can figure.
Tip: DON’TTELLTHEBOSS
KURABUI is a promising mare who is unbeaten in all four starts. Won with authority at Pakenham first-up then went to town and won last start. She should take care of these.
The big query in this is the import DEGRAVES. Group 3 winner back in Ireland and if any support from Team Williams would follow.
GALAXY RAIDER looks close to a win. Like the way he closed when beaten less than a length here last start and would not be surprised to see him get away with this.
KINANE did not threaten last time in work but he is a class gelding and placed in two of three first-up tries. He can sneak into a place at odds.
Tip: KURABUI
MARCOLT caught the eye late here two starts back when just missed placing as favourite then followed up with place in small field last start. He is racing well enough to get away with this.
NAMAKWA won on the synthetic two back then she came to Flemington and won with something in hand. Finds similar race and no reason he cannot win again.
REUBER deserves a win in this class. Comes into this off four solid placings and although drawn touch awkwardly he must be included in winning chances again.
SWEET KAROLINA won at Geelong three starts back then has backed that up with two sound placings this track. A must for first four players.
Tip: MARCOLT
Been waiting for AIDENSFIELD to return to the racetrack. She pulled up lame in Group 3 company at only start last prep. Will be better over further but if she gets to outside rail and clear room last 200m she can finish all over these.
SNICKERDOODLEDANDY produced a big finish to get up here last few strides here last start. Expect Jamie Kah to sit back on her and she has big finish and no reason cannot win again.
AWARD WINNER lines up for three straight win. Won on the Pakenham synthetic two starts back then went to Caulfield and was too smart last start. Cannot leave him out of winning chances.
Hard to leave CURRAN out of major chances as he was a soft winner down the Flemington straight last start and form is super at the moment.
Tip: AIDENSFIELD
Going to have something each way at big odds on VIRAL. He was in the market in a similar race to this here first-up from spell and looked in need of the hit-out. Drawn ideally and strips fitter for this. Worth something the win and double the place.
YULONG JANUARY is racing in super form having won his last two this track/distance. Going to need some luck from a horror barrier but if he can lead without doing much work early he can get away with this.
RUBISAKI ran up to win here last start but she just peaked on her run and found one better final stages. She will look winner at some stage in straight and looks a major player.
DICE ROLL has found winning form since coming across from Hong Kong. Finished too well at Caulfield fresh then backed that up last start at Hillside. No reason he cannot win again.
Tip: VIRAL
Was on BLESS HER first-up at Caulfield and though she would benefit from that run when ran into minor placing. She will not mind if the track deteriorates and happy to have an each way crack at her.
MUNTASEERA should have won at Caulfield last start when was just held-up at vital stage before powering home late. If she can get a clearer path last 200m she will take some holding out.
SARTORIAL SPLENDOR is the one to catch. He led throughout to win down the Flemington straight two back then back that up with another win at Caulfield. He can win again.
BANQUO is a quality horse resuming. Beaten less than 2 lengths in Group 1 class two starts back and if he finds anywhere near that form would be right in the mix.
Tip: BLESS HER