Welcome to our look ahead to racing at Flemington on Saturday. It has been a chilly start to winter in Melbourne with temperatures in the low teens, but we have not had much rain and look to be racing on a Good 4 track. The rail is +11m for the entire circuit, however Flemington’s sweeping turns and long home stretch mean that winners can often come from anywhere in the running.
We start our day with Race 3, the Rod Johnson Handicap (1620m) for three-year-olds. Some might say its folly to bet around the $1.50 favourite in Craig (GB), who we are big fans of and have tipped previously, but we will be looking for value by way of Red Galaxy.
He has limited exposed form with this being only his third start, having claimed his maiden win last time out at Sandown over 1400m. Hitting the line strongly there suggests the move to 1620m will not be an issue, and the booking of Jye McNeil, replacing no slouch in Craig Williams, and jumping from barrier 2 has us hoping that he can control the tempo from the front. He will have company from Rise At Dawn (NZ) and no doubt Craig will be flying late. It shapes to be a fantastic finish.
Moving on to Race 6, The David Bourke (1620m). We are staying with our theme of trying to find some value and we are hoping that Windstorm will have us cheering at the finish.
Windstorm was not off the mark in his first start for new trainer Gavin Bedggood in May, and while his last start seventh does not look great on paper, he raced three or four wide the trip and finished strongly from the back of the field. He has the chance to be either midfield or thereabouts from barrier 5, and Gavin is sure to have him primed for this.
We round out the day with Race 9, VRC Country Race Day Sprint (1100m). This looks to be another race with good depth and a few unknowns, with several runners having their first look at the Flemington straight course.
We are going to risk the favourite in northern raider The Black Cloud, who seems to find her best on softer going, and hope that Marble Nine finishes the day off well for us. The Kobayashi three-year-old gelding is lightly raced with this being only his fourth start, having run a half length second this track and distance last time out. The nose roll goes on to try and straighten him up out of the gate, and Ben Allen regains the ride. Watch out for Links late if there is a bias towards the outside rail.
Good luck and happy punting.
As published on Thoroughbrednews.com.au