A small, but competitive eight-race programme is scheduled for Flemington on Saturday. 2019 Melbourne Cup winner, VOW AND DECLARE is the best bet on today’s card.
He was in need of his last two outings after given a 17-week break following his Grade 1 success. He steps back up in distance this afternoon and should strip a much fitter horse. Craig Williams is back in the saddle and the pair look very hard to beat.
Other international racing tips for Saturday:
Ascot
Sunshine Coast
Flemington
Gosford
Kalgoorlie
Rosehill
Alice Springs
Neil Morrice Tips
Best Bet: VOW AND DECLARE (Race 4)
Value Bet: HIGHLAND JAKK (Race 5)
Please tilt your phone to landscape orientation to view the below table on mobile.
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R
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Time
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Conditions
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1st
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2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
|
1
|
05:05
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1400m – Listed
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1
|
3
|
11
|
5
|
4
|
|
2
|
05:40
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1600m – Benchmark 84 (F&M)
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3
|
7
|
12
|
6
|
4
|
|
3
|
06:15
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1400m – 3-Y-O Handicap
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1
|
12
|
11
|
5
|
3
|
|
4
|
06:50
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2600m – 4-Y-O+ Handicap
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1
|
6
|
8
|
3
|
9
|
|
5
|
07:25
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1700m – 3-Y-O Handicap
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10
|
2
|
3
|
9
|
12
|
|
6
|
08:00
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2800m – Listed
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2
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4
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3
|
1
|
11
|
|
7
|
08:35
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1000m – Handicap
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13
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1
|
2
|
11
|
14
|
|
8
|
09:10
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1700m – Handicap
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11
|
3
|
7
|
9
|
4
|
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Races (5-8)
Jackpot |
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1
|
Line
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10
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2
|
13
|
11
|
|
8
|
Lines
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2
|
4
|
|
3
|
|
54
|
Lines
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3
|
3
|
1
|
7
|
|
96
|
Lines
|
9
|
|
|
9
|
|
200
|
Lines
|
12
|
1
|
|
4
|
Race 1
GRANDSLAM made the natural improvement when winning his maiden at the second time of asking over 1250m at Morphettville. He jumped awkwardly, settled in a mid-field position and chased solidly to the finishing post. He does take on stronger this afternoon, but the manner in which he won suggests that there is more to come from the son of Myboycharlie. Jye McNeil steps back into the saddle and the pair should be tough to beat. DIALA is a filly taking on the males. She too was a maiden winner in her last start. She was returning from an 18-week break that day and led from start to finish. She steps up in class today, but she looks to have scope and it is encouraging that jockey Dwayne Dunn keeps the ride.
Race 2
NAIVASHA got back to winning ways in her last start over this distance at Sandown. She raced from a mid-field position that day, took over the lead at the 250m mark and cruised to victory. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. She has a good record over this distance having won twice and finishing second once from six starts. Damien Oliver retains the ride and the pair can notch up a quick double. LAMU produced a very good comeback run over 1300m at Sandown last time. She will enjoy the rise up to the mile today as she has won once and finished third once from three attempts. Craig Williams does duty this afternoon and he has a decent 24%-win strike rate for this trainer.
Race 3
RUN TO PERFECTION has very good consistent form to his name. He settled in a mid-field position last time and ran on strongly up the straight. He has won once and finished second once in as many starts over this distance. Damien Oliver takes the ride on his course debut and if the son of Sepoy is suited to the track, he may be the one they all have to beat. FUNDRAISER followed up his maiden victory with a very good run when finishing third at Sandown last time. He was running on strongly at the finish which would suggest he will enjoy the extra distance on offer today. It must be noted that two horses from his last form line have come out and won since. Craig Williams steps back into the saddle and the pair merits healthy respect.
Race 4
VOW AND DECLARE had a flat run in his second run after a rest last time. However, he produced a very good comeback run in his penultimate start in the Australian Cup when finishing third. He loves racing on this course having won twice and finishing third twice from five outings. He will enjoy the step back up in distance this afternoon and jockey Craig Williams steps back into the saddle. He looks a good thing in this field and will take a power of beating. MIRIMAR got back to winning ways in his last start over twelve furlongs at Caulfield. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He runs well for apprentice Michael Poy who has won three times, finished second twice and third once from seven starts aboard the son of Kalanisi. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
Race 5
HIGHLAND JAKK produced a fair comeback run over seven furlongs at Caulfield last time. He raced from a handy position that day and stayed on well at the business end of the race. He steps up to the 1700m for the first time and breeding suggests this trip will be right up his alley. Jockey Mark Zahra has a good 33%-win strike rate for this trainer. The son of Jakkalberry will strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and may be the one to side with here. THE LIFELINE got back to winning ways in his last start over a mile. He has a good record this season having won three times, finishing second once and third once from eight outings. He is likely to race on the speed from his mid-field draw and may be hard to peg back in the run down to the finishing post.
Race 6
ROYAL CROWN is a three-time winning son of Helmet from six outings. The manner in which he won his last start over twelve furlongs was impressive. He settled in a mid-field position, took over the lead at the 300m mark and drew off well for the victory. He steps up in distance this afternoon, but the manner in which he races suggests that he should not have any issues with the rise in trip. Mark Zahra retains the ride and the pair may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. SACRAMENTO was considered good enough to contest in the Group 1 Australian Derby last time. He was far from disgraced as he finished fifth. He drops back in class this afternoon and on his previous form, he should have a genuine chance in this field.
Race 7
ESPERANCE produced some good consistent form before given an 18-week break. He runs well over today’s distance with a record of a win and two second-place finishes from five attempts. There is likely to be a lot of speed in this contest which will play into the hands of this son of Bernardini. He should have no issues with regards to fitness and may be the one to side with in this weak contest. THE INEVITABLE was considered good enough to contest in a Group 1 event last time. He runs well on this course having won twice from four outings. He is having his first run for his new trainer this afternoon and should strip a much fitter horse. Should the top selection fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
Race 8
RUPTURE was returning from a 17-week absence last time. He raced from a handy position that day and chased hard before drawing off for the victory in the closing stages. He has very good form this season having won five times and finished second twice from nine starts. Jockey Jordan Childs is yet to be unplaced on this son of Street Boss and the pair merit healthy respect. KENTUCKY BREEZE got back to winning ways in his last start over a mile at Caulfield. He has finished second once and third once from as many outings over this course and distance. He runs well for today’s pilot Jamie Kah as the pair have won three times and finished fourth once from seven outings as a partnership. The combination should be the ones to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.
