‘Rapid Racing’ is the new concept from the VRC and the first edition of the idea comes around this Sunday at Flemington, with a seven race card, all straight races, with another highlight being a ‘City vs Country’ style Jockey Challenge across the program. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out twelve metres for the entire circuit.
Race 1. (16:00) Firstly Sprint 1000m
Leaning the way of 7 Unblushing (Bet Now: $4.60), who resumes for James Cummings. This filly debuted in the Ottawa on Cup Day where she was sound in defeat when fifth to Aryaaf, racing a bit green when placed under pressure. Been given a good break and has had two jumpouts in readiness for her return, with the blinkers going on first time.
4 Bombay Rocket (Bet Now: $2.80) has the hard race experience on her side and that will take her a long way towards victory. Debuted here and did a very good job when second to A Beautiful Knight before finishing down the track behind that horse again in the Blue Diamond Preview. Back to Flemington and back in depth, she’s hard to beat
6 Aquagirl (Bet Now: $3.70) is a daughter of Headwater for Phillip Stokes that was relatively unwanted in betting when debuting at the Valley where she sat on speed and gave a pretty good kick but couldn’t quite finish it off when running third, but was beaten by a potentially really smart colt in Valaquenta. I think that form will hold up, so giving her respect.
Race 2. (16:30) Maxcap Dash (64) 1200m
On top is 11 Poor Sam (Bet Now: $20.00). Was keen on this filly when she resumed at Echuca and rightfully bolted up. Then went to Pakenham where she seemed to struggle on the very wet track behind Paperboy. Much better suited on firmer footing I feel and with Melham on from a wide draw, she looks like she’ll get the right run and prove hard to beat.
6 Zende (Bet Now: $4.60) is an interesting runner. The Price/Kent stable trains this three year old, who was well supported late when resuming over 1200m at Geelong and while I doubt he beat a great deal, it was the manner in which he put them away that impressed me, and the overall time was solid relative to the day. Draws wide, has enormous upside and has versatility re racing pattern.
2 Mnementh (Bet Now: $18.00) is potentially on the Country Championships path, so keen to see how he goes here. Market said he had three legs when resuming at Wagga and while he didn’t win, I thought he was super in defeat when second to Jodhpur, who looks above average, so that form doesn’t read too bad and gets the winkers on to sharpen him up.
Race 3. (17:00) Tick Homes Plate (64) 1000m
2 Excess Funds (Bet Now: $2.50) looks the best on the program. Returns as a gelding for Levi Kavanagh after a pretty strong 3YO Spring prep, where he contested some decent races and for the most part was far from disgraced behind some classy animals. Gelded, blinkers on first up and the most recent jumpout win was very sharp. Happy to be in his corner.
1 Express Pass (Bet Now: $2.40) is a class animal for Nick Ryan who resumes. This colt hasn’t raced since the Caulfield Guineas when outclassed behind Super Seth after getting a mile back in the run. Recent jumpout was quiet, so hard to get a real guide there, but he does have the class factor and hopefully Olly can weave some magic from the inside gate.
Interesting runner here is 3 Memphis Rock (Bet Now: $4.80), who returns as a gelding for the Hayes/Dabernig team. This guy hasn’t raced since September 25 at Canterbury when placing behind Sangria, who is flying and won earlier this week to tick that form off. Geelong trial was quite good and at his best, he runs well here against a couple of quality types.
Race 4. (17:30) JMK Sprint (70) 1000m
I’ll take a punt on 4 Yulong Knight (Bet Now: $9.50), who resumes as a gelding for the Hayes/Dabernig team. This guy hasn’t raced since October 1 at Swan Hill when fourth to Gimme Strength after pulling hard early. Recent jumpout here was quite good, he draws the right part of the track and did win first up last prep. Happy to be in his corner.
1 Villa Sarchi (Bet Now: $6.00) is a huge watch here. Formerly with Heath Conners, this gelding is now with Robbie Griffiths. This gelding last raced on All Star Mile Day last year down the straight here when finishing off strongly from the back to score. Two jumpouts have been solid without being great, and has to lump the big weight, but does have a touch of class.
11 Explicitly (Bet Now: $8.50) isn’t the most reliable horse going around but at his best, he’s certainly capable. Ran over 1100m at Sale last time out when near the speed and battled away okay in defeat behind Written Gem. Draws the ride part of the track and gets Mark Zahra to steer. Hopefully can find cover and be a fast finisher.
Race 5. (18:00) QMS Sprint (78) 1200m
What to make of 6 Messerschmitt (Bet Now: $3.60). Was somewhat unwanted in betting when resuming down the Flemington straight a few weeks ago but gee he showed a good turn of foot when let down and was far too good for his rivals. Form overall has been pretty good since and you’d like to think he will improve off that for this.
3 Chicago Cub (Bet Now: $3.90) can be a bit hit and miss but his best is clearly good enough to win here. Trained on the track by the in form Michael Moroney and did race down the straight last time out when just off the speed and battling away well in defeat behind Lord Von Costa. Overall depth here not as strong and Melham rides.
5 A Good Yarn (Bet Now: $7.50) is an absolute beauty for the Mervyn McKenzie camp and will give them something to chase. Toughed it out strongly to win two back at Warrnambool before going to the Valley where he tried hard but Mister Mogul led from the front and spanked his rivals. Gets the claim for Poy, sits on speed and is hard to run down.
Race 6. (18:30) Eynesbury Plate (64) 1100m
12 Unicorny (Bet Now: $9.50) really came of age last prep. Impressive win first up at Pakenham, then proved it was no fluke at the Valley with a win there before placing there again behind All In Brawl. Can sprint well fresh and like the booking of Thornton. He can sit back off the speed and with clear air, she can be quite dangerous.
5 Scipio (Bet Now: $2.70) has done little to nothing wrong in two runs this time in, winning both. Started with an all the way win at Cranbourne before going to Werribee where he took the sit behind the speed before angling into clear air and finishing off strongly to score. Gate one perhaps a tad tricky, but he has the runs on the board.
10 Getemhel (Bet Now: $16.00) is racing really well this time in for Francis Finnegan and I think this mare can run a positive race at odds. Big win from off the speed last start at Werribee on a track that does tend to suit on pace runners, she really finished off strongly to get the win. Senior jock on, likely draws best part of the track and will be strong late.
Race 7. (19:00) Resimax Group Jockey Challenge Trophy 1200m
2 Magnavale (Bet Now: $11.00) on top for me in the get out. Patrick Payne trains this mare, which resumed at Echuca when setting a good speed and fighting on strongly when third to Bold Arial, beaten around two lengths. Been given a little freshen up and looked very sharp in a trial win last week at Geelong. Draws out, should press forward and prove hard to run down.
11 Lianne (Bet Now: $3.50) is several weeks between runs for the Ellerton/Zahra camp since racing on Boxing Day at Caulfield where she was most unlucky behind News Girl, getting badly held up before eventually getting clear and surging hard. Has since had a very quiet jumpout to keep up to the mark. 1200m is a stretch, but with a cold ride, I think she’ll get it.
4 Mrs Bignell (Bet Now: $31.00) is a Mitch Freedman trained mare that resumes. This girl hasn’t raced since July 20 over 1400m here when down the track behind Shokora. Been given a good long spell and did trial well recently at Geelong in readiness for this. Can sprint well fresh and a forward showing wouldn’t shock at all.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Three Number 2 Excess Funds
NEXT BEST: Race Five Number 6 Messerschmitt
LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 2 Magnavale
Quaddie Tips (Races Four Through To Seven):
Leg One: 1, 4, 8, 11, 13
Leg Two: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg Three: 5, 6, 10, 12
Leg Four: 2, 3, 4, 11
$50 Investment = 12.50% of the dividend if successful
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