Australian racing tips – Saturday 7 October 2023 – Flemington

Race 7

FIRST IMMORTAL has won three of his last four starts and finished second in the other, so he clearly has some ability. His latest victory came over ten furlongs after striking the front at the 250M mark and then holding off all the late challengers in the dash down to the line. Despite hanging in over the closing stages, he clung on for a short-head win. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate twenty, but the gelding will be having his peak run after returning from a 10 week rest and looks to be the one to side with here.

GOLDMAN won over thirteen furlongs three runs back, finished nineth in his penultimate start over a mile and then sixth in his latest outing in a Group 3 event over ten furlongs, just under three and a half lengths behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his handy draw two, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and could prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages.

ATHABASCAN goes for his hat-trick after two victories over twelve furlongs, the latest in a Group 3 contest, albeit by just a short-head, but he jumped awkwardly that day and then bumped another runner shortly after the start, so that effort was encouraging. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide gate fourteen, but he should be doing his best work late.

Race 8

ROMANTIC WARRIOR is a raider from Hong Kong with impressive Group racing success to his name, winning his penultimate start in a Group 1 event over ten furlongs and following that up with a second place finish next time out in another Group 1 race, this time over twelve furlongs, just a neck back from the winner. He has pulled a wide gate eleven, but the engaging of champion jockey James McDonald catches the eye.

OSIPENKO is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out in a Group 1 event over a mile, just under two lengths back from the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be held up at the 300M mark in that event, so he had his excuse. From a kinder gate six, he should turn in another honest performance today.

GOLD TRIP won the Melbourne Cup last year and was returning from a 22 week break when finishing fourth last time out over ten furlongs, just over a length off the winner. He was held tight for galloping room between the 200M and 100M mark that day, before finishing off his race well. He has pulled the widest draw of the lot in gate eighteen, but he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race, so should be included in all bets.

Race 9

STAR PATROL is a five time winner from fifteen starts and was returning from a 27 week break when winning his last start in a Group 2 contest over six furlongs by a short-head. He kicked clear of the opposition at the 400M pole and despite shifting inward at the 100M mark, held on for the victory. The objection lodged by the connections of the second placed runner for that late movement was overruled and the original result stood. The gelding has a wide draw eleven to deal with, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

JIGSAW has won four of his last five outings, the latest when showing plenty of toe for a two length victory over five furlongs. He does return from a 24 week spell without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from a useful draw four, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

C’EST MAGIQUE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her name, finishing fourth last time out in a Group 3 event over six furlongs, 1.8L off the winner, when returning from a 44 week spell. She faces gate seven, but the fact that her connections have brought her back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that she still has something more to offer them.  

Race 10

The day’s value bet, UMGAWA had finished second three time in a row prior to ending up in fourth spot last time out over seven furlongs, just under a length back from the winner. He made good late progress that day and from draw six, he will be looking to chalk up his fifth career victory here.

TAMERLANE jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner, but recovered quickly to take up the lead before being run out of it late to finish fifth in his latest outing in a Group 3 race over seven furlongs, just over two lengths adrift of the victor. He was returning from a 16 week absence that day and notwithstanding a wide gate twelve, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

JUST FOLK raced three wide without cover when finishing sixth last time out in a Group 3 race over nine furlongs, just over four and a half lengths off the winner. He returns from a 19 week break without having had a barrier trial and has his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here.