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: True entire circuit
Really liked the way PRIX DE TURN finished the race off at Hillside on debut then he was not disgraced in the G1 Caulfield Guineas at only his second start. Looking for natural improvement and Flemington will suit him.
FANGIRL finished the race off stylishly from the back to win at Randwick last start. She will enjoy getting out to the 1600m on the wide open spaces of Flemington and watch for her late.
BRIGANTINE was beaten less than a length behind Lightsaber in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude then back to Sydney last start and placed behind a smart one. Racing too well to leave out.
DAILY BUGLE was placed in the G2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley two starts back then just found the G1 Caulfield Guineas a little too hot last start. Has the talent to figure in multiples.
Tip: PRIX DE TURN
Really liked the fighting effort of GREAT HOUSE in the Caulfield Cup. He never shirked the issue at any stage and he is racing well enough to get away with this.
MANKAYAN has been threatening to win this prep with a string of minor placings leading into this. Will get the perfect run on the speed and Linda Meech is on fire.
KING’S CHARISMA comes into this ready third-up from spell. Not beaten all that far at Caulfield last start and the extra distance will suit.
KNIGHT’S ORDER has not been finishing his races off well enough of late but he will go forward and sit up on the speed and if gets right run he can figure.
Tip: GREAT HOUSE
Looking forward to BARB RAIDER getting out to the 2000m. She won the Oaks Trial this track with something in hand two back then she ran slashing race back to 1600m. This her right distance range.
DAISIES was impressive at Caulfield last start. She did not have all that much luck but still powered away and won as she liked. This touch harder but drawn ideally and can win again.
EL PATRONESS won from up on the speed here two starts back then she was super against the boys when placed at Caulfield. Back to own sex ideal and she will be up front for a long way.
KAPALUA SUNSET demolished a maiden field two starts back then went to Caulfield as favourite but was stuck wide and in traffic throughout. Bigger track at Flemington will suit her.
Tip: BARB RAIDER
Going to persevere with BROOKLYN HUSTLE third-up from spell. Had issues at The Valley first-up then never got out at Caulfield last start. Yet to perform down the Flemington straight but happy to go with her.
OXLEY ROAD finished too well for good strong win at Caulfield last start. Model of consistency and she will be right in the mix again.
KEMENTARI finished too well to win the Gilgai down the Flemington straight two starts back then beaten less than 2 lengths in luckless run in Sydney. Cannot leave him out.
INSTANT CELEBRITY has just not run a strong 1400m her last couple. Back to this trip looks ideal and expect she will bounce back to best form.
Tip: BROOKLYN HUSTLE
The Queen of Tassie Turf MYSTIC JOURNEY is ready to win. Her two runs this time in have been eye catching Flemington placings over 1400m and the step out to the mile looks ideal. She gets her chance.
COLETTE was back to her best winning the G2 Tristarc at Caulfield last start. She has the class to win again and chances enhanced if any rain about.
TOFANE looked unlucky in the G1 Toorak when held-up at vital stage. Beaten less than 2 lengths behind Incentivise here two starts back and that looks good form for this.
Liked the way HUNGRY HEART finished the race from the back in the Epsom when not beaten all that far. She was competitive behind Verry Elleegant in previous start and that good for this.
Tip: MYSTIC JOURNEY
Thought that GUNSTOCK showed an impressive turn-of-hoof to take care of field in the G3 Caulfield Classic last start and the way he hit the line suggests this distance will suit. Barrier a concern but hoping he can find some cover before first turn and happy to stick with him.
FORGOT YOU just kept grinding away at The Valley last start and eventual got the job done final stages suggesting he will not have a problem with the trip. He looks winning chance.
HITOTSU only won his maiden at Donald first-up but it was the way he hit the line in the G1 Caulfield Guineas that grabbed my attention and at the odds he looks a nice each way bet with the in-form John Allen aboard.
Another that finished his race off strongly was TUTUKAKA in winning the Geelong Classic last outing. Looks true stayer and would not leave him out of chances.
Tip: GUNSTOCK
EXTREME WARRIOR demolished them in the G3 Blue Sapphire last start at Caulfield. Looks to be a progressive colt and he can win again.
HOME AFFAIRS led all the way to win in Listed company at Rosehill first-up then took on The Everest last start but was overran last 200m. Back to own age group and he will be in this for a long way.
ARTORIUS was making good late ground in the Caulfield Guineas when grabbed placing. Back to the 1200m but if he can be close enough at 200m may finish all over these.
IN THE CONGO led throughout and got away with the G1 Golden Rose last start. He has plenty of early speed and sure to be prominent for a long way.
Tip: EXTREME WARRIOR
CASCADIAN looked luckless in the Epsom last start when went to the line under a hold and was still less than 2 lengths off winner. If he can get some luck over last 200m he can win this.
Have an opinion of CHAILLOT and she loves racing at Flemington (5:3-0-0). Has been placed at this distance and if she can be left for one run at them will be hard to hold out.
SUPERSTORM was strong winning the Feehan over the mile at The Valley three starts back then he has followed up with a couple of Group 1 placings. He will be in mix again.
MR BRIGHTSIDE is the up and comer having won his last six starts. He has to progress from Listed company to Group 1 level and meets some experienced gallopers. I’m happy to risk him at the odds.
Tip: CASCADIAN
Going to stick with SEPTEMBER RUN. She has not had much luck in her three runs this time in and back to this track/distance where she is unbeaten in two starts she can return to winners stall.
BALLISTIC LOVER was enormous winning at The Valley first-up then beaten just on 2 lengths in Group 1 class last start. That good enough to be included again.
Liked the way TAILLEUR hit the line when just out of the placings at Caulfield last start. Expect he will get some cover and have last crack at these.
DIRTY THOUGHTS made it two in a row winning at Caulfield last start. Been racing in consistent form this time in and a must for exotics.
Tip: SEPTEMBER RUN