Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s meetings, with horse racing tips and analysis for the five best bets of the weekend. Good luck, punters!
Flemington Race 4 – Wakeful Stakes (Group 2) 2000m
John Sargent is one of the most astute trainers in the country and he very rarely misses when he targets the better races in the spring and he looks to have found another smart filly in SO DAZZLING. She won the Oaks Trial at only here second start here two starts back then was best late on the heavy ground at Newcastle last start.
She looks to have plenty of improvement in her and with Damien Oliver aboard she can take out the Wakeful and complete the double next Thursday in the Oaks.
Tip: SO DAZZLING
Flemington Race 5 – Linlithgow Stakes (Group 2) 1400m
Forget that OLD FLAME went around in the Weekend Hussler at Caulfield last start as he was shuffled back before the corner and found himself last straightening and lost all momentum. When he finally got out the race was over.
He had been racing well in Sydney prior to that outing and with James McDonald taking the ride he gets chance to make amends.
Tip: OLD FLAME
Flemington Race 6 – Coolmore Stud Stakes (Group 1) 1200m
Have been a big supporter of JACQUINOT since he won on debut in his two-year-old season. He looks to have blossomed in his three-year-old year which culminated in an eye catching Group 1 win in the Golden Rose two starts back.
Thought his run in The Everest was super against the older horses and back in his own age group here he will be powering over the top of them.
Tip: JACQUINOT
Flemington Race 7 – Victoria Derby (Group 1) 2500m
Tip: MR MAESTRO
Flemington Race 8 – Empire Rose Stakes (Group 1) 1600m
Wowee there is a massive hype around the Kiwi mare LA CRIQUE. She comes across the Tasman after demolishing a class Group 1 field in the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata last start.
She started a long odds on favourite in the NZ Derby back in the autumn and she was luckless having to settle for second spot. Looks to be one of the most exciting Kiwi mares to come to this country in a while and expect she will be too smart for these.