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
HOSIER resumes from spell. Team Williams have had an unusually quiet Spring Carnival but this imported gelding is smart and unbeaten in Australia. If forward enough he should win.
EQUATION brings some consistent form from Sydney without threatening. James McDonald could win on a broomstick at the moment and this another nice ride for him.
SILENT SOVEREIGN was making good late ground when placed at The Valley first-up from spell. She will strip fitter for this and a must for exotics.
SIENERS EXPRESS has not been beaten all that far in last couple. Always looms to be in the mix and cannot leave out of chances.
Tip: HOSIER
WARNING finally got back to winning form at Randwick last start. Back to Flemington looks ideal and he looks a bit better than most of these.
WENTWOOD was strong at the end of his race when he won Bendigo Cup last start. Will go forward and should make presence felt final stages.
LUNAR FLARE is in super form. Won at Mornington two starts back then stayed brave winning the Moonee Valley Cup last start. She can win again.
DR DRILL looked the winner at Geelong on the corner but just found Tralee Rose too strong. He will never be far away.
Tip: WARNING
ALCYONE won at Hillside fresh then has followed up with a couple of sound placings. In what is even race here prepared to have something each way on him.
VITRUVIUS finished the race off strongly to get the job done at Geelong last start. Yet to run a bad race and although drawn out in the Maribyrnong River he can figure.
SHIBLI won two straight up in Sydney then prepared to forget last start when never got clear run until race was over. Waller/McDonald combination hard to beat.
Forget JOHANDOUGH went around at The Valley last start when pulled up with an irregular heart rhythm. Placed in Pinker Pinker at previous start and that form good for this.
Tip: ALCYONE
DECENT RAINE looked a touch unlucky behind the in-form Fangirl at Randwick last start but still ran into a minor placing. She only needs a touch of luck to be right in the mix.
Liked the way MICRO hit the line at The Valley two starts back when beaten just on a length then he had excuses last start when lost a plate in run and was well beaten. He can bounce back.
OUR HEIDI should have won first-up at The Valley when tightened at the 200m. Has horror barrier draw but she will not be maiden for much longer.
DAILY BUGLE is another drawn out on the Maribyrnong River but really liked the way he ran on when placed here on Derby Day. He is a must for exotics.
Tip: DECENT RAINE
ZAYYDANI was placed behind Floating Artist two starts back (who ran a super race in Melbourne Cup) then again close up in similar last start. Drawn to get perfect run and she can win this.
NIMALEE was beaten less than 2 lengths in Group 1 company here on Derby Day. Her form good enough for this and must include in major chances.
ONLY WORDS raced up on the speed before sprinting clear final stages to win at The Valley last start. Needs some luck from gate but she is racing well enough to figure.
VANNA GIRL is a smart mare but she is hard to catch but if she could find best form third-up from spell she can surprise these.
Tip: ZAYYDANI
NATURE STRIP will just be too speedy and Chris Waller and James McDonald will add another Group 1 to their Flemington dominance.
Not sure what to make of SEPTEMBER RUN. She certainly has not been finishing her races of well enough of late but she is second best horse in race and prepared to give her another chance.
BELLA NIPOTINA has speed and expect she will not be blown away by the speed of Nature Strip and she may hang on for a placing.
RANCH HAND was making good late ground in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day and if he can stay in the mix in early stages he may surprise.
Tip: NATURE STRIP
CHAILLOT began this prep with good strong win in Listed company at Hillside then she was beaten less than 2 lengths in blanket finish in the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day. She looks nice each way bet.
DICE ROLL just missed in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield two starts back then just battled over the 1600m in the Toorak. Gets back to right distance range and looking for him to bounce back.
JUSTACANTA burst through and got the job down in the Linlithgow on Derby Day. He won at the 1400m here three starts back and no reason he cannot win again.
Liked the way RIDDLE ME THAT hit the line when placed at Caulfield two starts back then he had no luck when wide last start and only battled. Drawn wide but must respect.
Tip: CHAILLOT
Hoping that ZAAKI has recovered from his setback so he can show Melbourne how good he is. Trust that Annabel Neasham will have him back to his best and he can win this.
Rain forecast for Melbourne puts COLETTE right in this. Drove through for last stride Group 1 win here on Derby Day and must include her in chances again.
MO’UNGA was super in the W.S.Cox Plate finishing just off Verry Elleegant. That now looks good form for this and he must be included in multiples.
KEIAI NAUTIQUE could be the surprise package. Not disgraced working home late in G1 Makybe Diva here two starts back and he can sneak into a minor spot.
Tip: ZAAKI
DESTINATION finished too well to get the money at Caulfield two starts back then had excuses when pulled up lame at The Valley last start. He can bounce back in this.
SAM’S IMAGE resumes from spell. He won with something in hand at Bendigo when first-up last time in work and may find best when fresh.
LEITER comes into this third-up from spell. Beaten less than a length at Geelong last start and he should be primed for this.
IT’SOURTIME resumes from spell. He won his first two starts impressively and progressed to Group 1 Australian Guineas to finish campaign. He can surprise on home track.
Tip: DESTINATION