We’re back racing at Flemington on Saturday, July 18th and nine races make up another strong metropolitan program.
With another Melbourne Sprint Carnival looming, the rail will be set out three metres around the entire course while at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
Simply scroll down for this week’s Flemington tip sheet.
Ko Phangan is yet to strike in three runs back this time, but he has improved noticeably with each and was last seen filling the minors at Listed level over a mile here a fortnight ago. In peak order, dropping in class and getting further out in trip, he’ll take a power of beating.
| 1. Ko Phangan (1) J: Craig Williams 59kg 7×643T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run held ground to the line 3rd of 8 at this track in the LR G’cmichael on July 4 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Marwooba carrying 54kg at $7. The run before that 4th of 14 at this track 2yo Hcp on June 20 over 1420m, in the wet; 1.2 len behind Fontein Jewel with 57kg at $12. | |||
While only having made the one appearance at the races so far, Hard Kick stamped himself as a key contender for races like the Coolmore Stud Stakes by winning the Talindert over 1100m here in February by nearly three lengths. He’s trialled up a treat and is my best bet on the program.
| 1. Hard Kick (6) J: Jackson Radley 59.5kg 1xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when won by 2.75 len at this track LR Talindert February 14 over 1100m defeating Zambales carrying 57kg at $3. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. | |||
Madiyya is yet to strike in four runs back this time but has been in the finish more often than not, only just denied by Nation’s Call in a photo here most notably two runs back. I thought she was probably too bad to be true at Caulfield last time out, but back to Flemington and onto the big track, she should get her chance in peak order.
| 5. Madiyya (8) J: Jackson Radley 59kg x4320T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| At the latest run 10th of 15 at Caulfield Bm78 on June 27 over 1700m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Stop The Rock with 57kg at $3.40. The race before that 2nd of 13 at this track Bm78 on June 6 over 1600m, on a wet track; nose behind Nation’s Call with 57kg at $5. | |||
Missapprehend has only made four appearances at the races since debuting, but broke her maiden last time in, while she couldn’t have done a lot more without winning in BM62 company when resuming this time. This is undoubtedly a rise in class, but with increased fitness and dropping into the weights, it represents a great opportunity for her to transition into Saturday metro company.
| 8. Missapprehend (10) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg 451×2T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 at Sale Bm62 on June 28 over 1205m, on heavy track; head behind Beechworth with 57kg at $4.40. Previously second-up eased back early on 5th of 9 at Cranbourne 3yo Mdn-Sw on December 5 over 1200m, 2 len behind Talladega Girl carrying 56kg at $2.10. | |||
Censori has improved noticeably with each of four runs back from a break, culminating in a dominant win in BM64 company at Sandown last time out, hitting the line more than three lengths ahead of her closest rivals. Given the manner of that victory and how well she hit the line, the rise in trip this week looks to suit, there’s no doubting her condition and with even luck in the run, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
| 5. Censori (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 54kg x5421T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start came from midfield and scored a big 3.5 len win at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo F Bm64 July 1 over 1600m in heavy going defeating Beautifully carrying 59kg at $16. Before that sat on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Sale 3yo 0-62 on June 10 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 4.5 len behind Off Their Perch with 58kg at $10. | |||
He doesn’t win out of turn, but Bold Soul has turned in plenty of typically competitive performances this time in, and after filling the minors over 2540m here two back, he was only denied by an impressive Highland Blaze in the Banjo Paterson Final last time out. He does meet that horse better at the weights this week, and with the additional furlong to work with this week, I’m confident he’ll get his chance to run on over the top.
| 1. Bold Soul (4) J: Jake Noonan 59kg x3932T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run sat on the pace when 2nd of 10 at this track Banjo Paterson on July 4 over 2600m, slow going 2.25 len behind Highland Blaze with 60kg at $8. The run before that 3rd of 13 at this track Qlty Hcp on June 20 over 2540m, on heavy track; 1.75 len behind Vegas Jack carrying 59kg at $7. Can improve again. | |||
Barari stormed back into winning form with an easy victory in BM62 company at Pakenham back in May, and repeated the dose in races at Ballarat and here at Flemington at her next two starts. Having stepped up in grade into the Listed Creswick Stakes over this route a fortnight ago, she was far from disgraced when fourth, beaten just over two lengths by the likes of Wise Inlaw, and she’ll undoubtedly relish a drop in class and in the weights this week, while she’ll be piloted by the in-form Jabez Johnstone.
| 11. Barari (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg 21114T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently 4th of 14 at this track in the LR Creswick on July 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Wise Inlaw with 56kg at $5. The race before that won by a long-neck at this track 3yo Qlty June 6 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Wise Inlaw with 55.5kg at $10. | |||
Saint George has proven to be a consistent performer in both the UK and here in Australia during his 18 career starts, winning four times and placing a further five, finding form around plenty of above-average rivals. Having finished off well though clearly in need of the run when fourth over a mile here last month, he’s a horse that will undoubtedly improve with the benefit of that hit-out, and getting out to the 2000m this week, and he looks to just have the majority of these covered for ability.
| 2. Saint George (9) J: Emily Pozman 61.5kg 114×4T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 11 at this track Davidbourke on June 20 over 1620m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Seafall with 57.5kg at $8. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at this track in the LR Cup Day Plate on November 4 over 1800m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Kingswood carrying 56kg at $2.90. | |||
While yet to strike in three runs back from a break, Street Artist has been knocking on the door and was last seen finishing the runner up behind a very impressive I’m Foxing. This looks to be his level, he’s raced well down the Flemington straight previously and should get his chance with cover this time.
| 11. Street Artist (12) J: Jamie Mott 56kg 2×452T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 14 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on June 27 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind I’m Foxing with 58kg at $6. Before that 5th of 12 at Bendigo 3yo Hcp on May 2 over 1100m, 2.75 len behind Navy Pilot with 54kg at $4.80. Nice effort last time. | |||
Best – Race 2 No. 1 Hard Kick
Next Best – Race 8 No. 2 Saint George
Value – Race 4 No. 8 Missapprehend