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 6m entire circuit
I thought VA VIA did enough on debut when placed and at the odds in this may improve enough to get away with this.
Liked the jumpout of LAMBDA when showed plenty of speed winning at Flemington. Expect she will have plenty of support on debut.
KIN beat Va Via home here on debut and did finish the race off strongly. Expect she will start favourite and can go one better in this.
HOOPS is another that did enough in her jumpout to suggest she is above average. Craig Williams jumps on top and cannot leave her out of exotics.
Tip: VA VIA
LADY D’ORO just peaked on her run here first-up from spell when not beaten all that far. She will be better from the outing and goes on top in this field.
WAY TO GO PAULA was little disappointing here last start but she had been racing well enough previously and from ideal barrier cannot leave out.
MRS SIPPY is screaming out to win this prep. Been model of consistency but just finding it hard to break through. She gets her chance in this field.
SWEET KAROLINA finished the race of strongly to win at The Valley last start. Should appreciate the bigger track here and despite barrier will be hitting line hard.
Tip: LADY D’ORO
VARDANI was dominant winning at Warrnambool last start. May be finding his best and although has a horrid draw happy to have something each way.
DIRTY DEEDS comes into this ready third-up from spell. Had wide run here last start but still kept coming and held minor spot. That good form for this.
MORAL FORCE comes off a strong last start win at Bendigo. Racing consistently and looks the up and comer in this race.
Tip: VARDANI
I thought SQUID GAME was impressive winning here last start. That made it two from his only two starts and no reason he cannot go on and win again.
CLEMENCEAU is racing in super form having been dominant at The Valley last start. Has plenty of speed and might just be too speedy for these.
VERMENTINO was dominant at Hamilton in maiden company on debut. This is a much harder affair but he looks smart and can measure up to these.
BUTTER BLONDE looked unlucky when just missed at Caulfield last start. Should get some cover in behind the speed and have last crack at these.
Tip: SQUID GAME
BERMADEZ won two straight to begin this prep then just found the in form Lighthouse too good late last start. He gets chance to return to winners stall.
HIGH N DRY was strong at the end of his race winning here last start. Finds similar race and no reason he will not be in the mix again.
SOMERSET MAUGHAM comes into this ready third-up from spell. Should get perfect run in behind the speed and he will have last crack.
PLAYOFFS resumes from spell. He has won fresh and has the ability to mix it with these when fresh. A must for exotics.
Tip: BERMADEZ
IRISH BUTTERFLY comes into this ready third-up from spell. Placed in both runs back and from perfect barrier he should get chance to win.
PILOTE was touch disappointing here last start but in saying that did not have the clearest of runs. If he can get some luck from the corner he will be right in this.
LOST IMPACT gave them a galloping lesson at The Valley last start. Will get the perfect run from inside gate and cannot leave her out of multiples.
LA SPEZIA won two in a row to begin this campaign then not beaten all that far after luckless run at The Valley. Can see her figuring.
Tip: IRISH BUTTERFLY
SMOKIN’ ROMANS won the Pakenham Cup with something in hand last start. Looking for Jamie Kah to get the perfect run from inside gate and he can win again.
HIGH EMOCEAN started favourite here last start and thought she chased home bravely in a race that favoured the leader. She will be right in the finish.
SKELM controlled the race from the front here last start and got his own way for dominant win. Looking for him to try similar tactics.
TIGERTIGER has been in winning form in lesser grade of late. He steps into a harder race but cannot knock winning form and a must for exotics.
Tip: SMOKIN’ ROMANS
Going to have something each way on the nice odds for YULONG JANUARY. He looked in need of the run when beaten favourite first-up. Strips fitter and will get perfect run.
LIGHTHOUSE just keeps winning. Made it three straight when she pounced to win this track/distance last start and no reason she will not continue on her winning way.
SECOND SLIP finished too well and got the job done here last start. He makes his own luck rolling forward and Jamie Kah stays aboard.
BLAZEJOWSKI just could not reel in Second Slip here last start but stayed on bravely for second spot. Drawn to get nice run and will be in mix again.
Tip: YULONG JANUARY
Tough race to finish the day but Patrick Payne has JAPERY resuming from a spell. He has won fresh and if there is any money about for him must follow.
PIONEER RIVER finished too well when favourite here last start. Should find the outside rail down the straight and that may be the place to be for last race.
DIVINE DIOSA is an interesting mare resuming from a spell. Placed in two of her three first-up tries and would not leave her out of multiples.
FUNDRAISER is another first-up from spell. Has been placed in three of four when fresh and although better over further will be hitting the line hard.
Tip: JAPERY