Nine talent stacked races are set to run at Flemington Racecourse; the major card in Melbourne on Saturday.
Strong fields have been confirmed for every race at Flemington on Saturday, but we have analysed each horse in detail, in order to help you find a winner.
The action is set to get underway at 11:45am and will conclude after the Comic Court Handicap (1400m) is contested at 4:38pm.
Race 1 (11:45am) Eugene Gorman Handicap (1100m)
Nine runners remain in the field for Race 1 at Flemington on Saturday, including Lone Eagle (barrier 3). Lone Eagle debuted to racing for second behind Cliff’s Edge in the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1200m) a fortnight ago and will take plenty of improvement into this race. Sia (barrier 9) debuted for a comfortable win at Geelong on May 16th, but undoubtedly faces a big step up in class and will have to overcome the outside barrier. Prezado (barrier 7) and Godolphin runner Olifants (barrier 8) should also both improve into this race.
Tip: No. 2 Lone Eagle ($2.30)
Race 2 (12:15pm) Trevor Clarke Handicap (1400m)
Ten exciting three-year-old fillies will step out for Race 2 at Flemington; the Trevor Clarke Handicap. Pedrena (barrier 1) has shown outstanding ability this time in and after finishing a close second at her last start a fortnight ago, should prove extremely tough to beat in this race. Samovare (barrier 5) has been charged with lugging 60kgs and is first-up, but was excellent at her most-recent preparation and should be right in the finish of this race. Soho Ruby (barrier 3) won a mile race at Sandown with complete ease last time out and is drawn to get an ideal run in transit once more on Saturday, while Miss Siska (barrier 4) is not without chance of saluting with a light weight and from her good barrier.
Tip: No. 2 Pedrena ($4.60)
Race 3 (12:50pm) Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1000m)
Eight Saturday grade sprinters have been confirmed in the field for the Bruce Gadsden Handicap, however Santa Ana Lane (barrier 2) should prove extremely difficult to beat. The four-year-old returned to winning form in the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 4th before savaging the line to finish fifth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) last time out. Husson Eagle (barrier 1) carries competitive form into the race and should find a good position on the rail from his barrier, while Military Reign (barrier 7), O’Malley (barrier 6) and Lake Como (barrier 3) are all more than capable at the distance and are live chances of winning.
Tip: No. 2 Santa Ana Lane ($3.10)
Race 4 (1:23pm) Young Members’ Ball Handicap (2500m)
Race 4 has been blown wide open with the scratching of race favourite De Little Engine and there is a case to be made for nearly every runner in the Young Members’ Ball Handicap. Goathland (barrier 7) has steadily built to the task this time, has been charged with carrying only 54kgs and should be ready to peak in this race. Charlevoix (barrier 1) is a proven performer at the distance and carries winning form into the race, while Falago (barrier 4), Shoreham (barrier 6) and Unfurl (barrier 2) should all take benefit into the event. Cinnamon Carter (barrier 3) is the rank outsider of the race in betting markets, but he is far better than his $51 quote suggests and he’s drawn to get a lovely run from an inside gate.
Tip: No. 5 Goathland ($2.15)
Race 5 (2:02pm) Ken Cox Handicap (1800m)
A number of notable runners will take to the barriers in Race 5 and this is another open race from a betting perspective. Ormito (barrier 8) is sure to take plenty of benefit from his last start and will relish 1800, while Kilimanjaro (barrier 10) resumes in the race and will take benefit from whatever he does here. Encosta Line (barrier 5) has been anything but consistent this season, but he’s probably offered his most ideal conditions to date in this race and should find a good position in transit from an inside draw. Master Zephyr (barrier 7) went amiss last start, but is another runner that will enjoy racing over 1800m.
Tip: No. 7 Encosta Line – Each Way ($9.50/$3)
Race 6 (2:42pm) Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m)
A talented and capacity field of horses has been confirmed for the Henry Bolte Handicap, including Docker Pav (barrier 5). The Shrewd Rhythm gelding was unlucky to be scratched from the South Australian Derby field prior to jump, but has terrific form amongst strong company this time and should prove tough to beat on Saturday. Kiwia (barrier 9) is yet to finish outside the first three through his short but impressive career and is primed for another big performance, while Savvy Dresser (barrier 11) has been terrific through two starts this time, albeit in weaker company, but is over the odds at his current double-figure quote.
Tip: No. 3 Docker Pav – Each Way ($10/$3.30)
Race 7 (3:22pm) Rod Johnson Handicap (1400m)
Sixteen classy horses will take to the barriers for the Rod Johnson Handicap, including first-up winner Sovereign Nation (barrier 6). A strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, the Encosta De Lago gelding flew home to beat a similar field by nearly two lengths in the Lloyd Williams Hall Of Fame Plate (1400m) on May 20th. Tshahitsi (barrier 10) carries winning form into the race and should find a good position off the early pace from a central draw, while veteran sprinter Charmed Harmony (barrier 4) is more than capable at the class on his day and is over the odds. Lizard Island (barrier 7) has not been seen at the races for more than a year, but trainer Pat Hyland has been thrilled with the talented gelding’s form and he has conditions to suit in this race.
Tip: No. 11 Lizard Island – Each Way ($18/$5.50)
Race 8 (4:02pm) L.V. Lachal Handicap (1000m)
Sixteen three-year-olds have been confirmed in an open field for Race 8 at Flemington on Saturday, including Overstep (barrier 3). The Exceed And Excel filly was outstanding when a strong winner at Flemington last time out and should only improve in dropping back to 1000m. Sacred Sham (barrier 5) is yet to finish outside the first time and is worth consideration for an each-way bet, while Dam Ready (barrier 14) will make his competitive return in the race and probably has a class edge over most of this field. Nasdex (barrier 11) has been charged with overcoming a race-high 60kgs, but should be right in the finish of the race.
Tip: No. 3 Dam Ready ($4.60)
Race 9 (4:38pm) Comic Court Handicap (1400m)
The final race at Flemington on Saturday will peg several winning chances against one-another on the 1400m course. Nikitas (barrier 2) is a different horse since transferring to the care of Darren Weir and he should prove tough to beat again on Saturday. Manapine (barrier 4) has always shown plenty and will return to the races on Saturday afternoon and in an inside draw, is worth consideration for an each-way bet at long odds. Pattern (barrier 5) will also contest the Comic Court Handicap first-up and is a winning chance with only 55.5kgs in tow.
Tip: No. 6 Nikitas – Each Way ($6/$2.50)