Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Thursday’s Flemington meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Good 4
Rail Position: +5m entire circuit
AMERICAIN ANGEL looks ready to win. Comes into this third-up from spell and she has been placed in both runs back. On her home track and she can start Oaks Day with a win.
SWINDON LASS found a heavy track at Moe last start and she never got through the ground only battling from the corner. Drawn to get ideal run and as long as track not too wet can figure.
MY DELIGHT comes down from Sydney and is third-up from spell. She was beaten less than 2 lengths first-up then chased home solidly last start. Out to 1700m looks ideal.
SHOWTIME LADY won at Goulburn three starts back. She led them up for long way in town in Sydney last start and she may control this.
Tip: AMERICAIN ANGEL
SIRILEO MISS just keeps winning. Dominant at Hillside first-up this prep then has continued her rapid rise winning at Group 3 level last start. She looks the one to beat.
ZING chased home strongly when placed at Randwick first-up. Sure to strip fitter and the Melbourne Cup winning combination of Waller/McDonald is hard to ignore.
INTELLECTIVE was only getting warm when the race was all over at Horsham first-up from spell. Drawn perfectly and although this much harder must respect.
FOXY FRIDA comes into this ready to win third-up from spell. Powered home to just miss Sirileo Miss at Caulfield last start and if she holds that form will be right in the mix.
Tip: SIRILEO MISS
MAGIC CARPET just did too much wrong on debut and although kept coming found a couple better final stages. Expect she will be much better from the experience and she goes on top.
SATIN LOVE has shown enough in her jumpouts to suggest she has ability. The all-conquering James McDonald takes the ride on debut and expect she will have support.
EVERYTHING NICE makes her debut on her home track. Sure to have experience down the Flemington straight and she is bred to have plenty of speed. Must respect.
FIELD OF PRAISE is another beautifully bred filly who has shown ability in recent jumpouts and would not be surprised to see her prominent on debut.
Tip: MAGIC CARPET
GRINZINGER ALLEE looked like he needed the run at Caulfield first-up when peaked on his run final stages. Awkward gate to contend with but strips fitter and happy to have something each way.
SALTPETER made it two in a row when he relished the heavy ground to win at Caulfield last start. Likely to get some rain affected ground here and would not be surprised to see him make it three in a row.
DJUKON battled on steadily at The Valley last start and that was an even effort. He should be rock hard fit and this looks a winnable race.
JUST BENJAMIN has always shown plenty of potential but not quite produced it as yet. Placed on the heavy ground at Moe last start and with some rain about would not leave him out.
Tip: GRINZINGER ALLEE
Hard not to be impressed with the debut win of ESPIONA at Warwick Farm. This a quick step up for her but stable would not have her in Melbourne if they did not have a high opinion of her.
VIANELLO started favourite at Caulfield last start and she was given a peach of a ride by Damien Oliver and she drove late to win. Rarely runs a bad race and can win again.
RIDUNA raced on the speed and got her maiden out of the way at Wyong two starts back then went to Randwick and was competitive. Expect she will roll forward and takes catching from the corner.
Tip: ESPIONA
MALKOVICH showed good speed to lead at Caulfield and was only run down last couple of strides. Strips fitter second-up and he will be the one to catch.
VARDA comes into this third-up from spell. Not far away at Warwick Farm fresh then chased home well enough on the fence at Caulfield. She looks ready.
STARRY LEGEND was dominant at Mornington first-up from spell then he went to The Valley last start and was not beaten all that far. He will be in finish.
Tip: MALKOVICH
Hard to knock RIOT AND ROSE he has won all four starts. Went to Horsham first-up and got the job done and although this a tougher test he can measure up to this.
MY BOY BIRMINGHAM is another who comes into this in winning form have won three of his last four starts. Only poor run has been on heavy ground so don’t want too much rain.
LEGEND OF ZORRO finished the race too well to win at Geelong last start. He strung together a couple of wins last time in work so may go on with it here.
TYPHOON HARMONY won with something in hand at Mornington two starts back then he was finishing the race off strongly when placed at Geelong last start. He finds similar race.
Tip: RIOT AND ROSE
WILLOWY demolished a maiden field at Newcastle two starts back then she showed a sharp turn-of-hoof to finish too well and win the Wakeful here on Saturday. Drawn perfectly and she can win this.
ELUSIVE EXPRESS won the Edward Manifold here two starts then backed that up with solid placing in the 1000 Guineas at Caulfield last start. That form good enough for this.
DAISIES was dominant in the Ethereal Stakes two starts back then fought hard to just miss Willowy in the Wakeful last start. Expect she will go close again.
BISCAYNE BAY made some good late ground when placed behind Daisies in the Ethereal and from ideal barrier she will get perfect sit and can sneak a place.
Tip: WILLOWY
ROBODIRA has not been beaten all that far in either run since coming to Melbourne. No luck at Caulfield two starts back then less than a length off at The Valley last start. She can win this.
GLISTENING started favourite in Group 3 company at The Valley last start and she showed plenty of speed before tiring late. Later found to be lame. She can bounce back in this.
RAVAGED AWARD finished too well for impressive win at Ballarat on debut. She will be much better from the race experience and can measure up to these.
SERADESS finished strongly to get the prize in Group 3 company at The Valley two starts back then looked unlucky at Caulfield last start. She can bounce back on home track.
Tip: ROBODIRA