Flemington Tips & Preview | Saturday 18 July

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.