The Group 1 $1m Darley Classic (1200m) and the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington today are both clear of any early morning race day scratchings with the track rated a Dead 4 with the rail out 4m for the entire course.
Chautauqua is the clear cut favourite for the Darley Classic at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The weight for age Darley Classic field remains intact with thirteen runners to face off up the Flemington straight while the Emirates Stakes will run a capacity sixteen horse field with the only scratching being the first emergency Spy Decoder was pulled out on Friday because of an elevated temperature.
The field for the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) has been reduced to nine runners following the withdrawal of the Mick Kent trainer Epingle this morning while emergencies In Masquerade and Terai have gained a start in the Group 2 $300,000 Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m) with the scratchings of Spirit Of Heaven, Metaphorical, Gold To Go and Malaleuca.
The only other feature race affected by scratchings in the Listed $150,000 Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes (1400m) which sees emergencies Ulmann and Durendal gain a start with the withdrawal of Pressing, Silent Whisper and second emergency Orlando Jack.
The remaining scratchings on the nine race card are Race 2: Morant, More Rewarding, Bring Back and Harare; Race 3: Felidea and Spy Decoder; Race 9: Sweet As Bro.
The John O’Shea trained Contributer remains at the top of the market order for the Emirates Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au at $5 ahead of Hooked at $7, Lucky Hussler and Bull Point both at $7.50, Leebaz at $8 and The Cleaner at $9.
While in the Darley Classic the Team Hawkes trained Chautauqua is a clear cut favourite at $2.30 ahead of Lankan Rupee at $5.50 and Slade Power at $6.50.
