A nine race card has been confirmed to run at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, highlighted by the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) down the straight.
Talented and capacity fields have been confirmed for almost all nine races at Flemington this weekend but we have analysed every runner in each, in detail to devise our list of 2016 Kensington Stakes Day best bets.
Race 3 No. 3 All Cerise
Consistent miler All Cerise has returned to racing in typically slick form this time, will leave from the ideal barrier 3 in the Barrie Kerr Handicap (1600m) on Saturday and has been confirmed to be partnered by in-form hoop Ben Melham. Lining up for her eighth competitive start this time at Flemington, the talented daughter of Redoute’s Choice was unlucky to be hampered for a run when seventh in the Segenhoe Cup (1400m) on December 5th but responded in the best way possible in taking out each of the Cellarbrations BM76 (1550m) and McGrath Estate Agents (1600m) with ease most recently. All Cerise represents terrific value at a current quote of $5.50 for success.
Race 5 No. 7 Alucinari
Another leading chance of success for the in-form Godolphin stables this weekend, Alucinari will carry a very-manageable 55kgs in the Andrew Guy Handicap (1100m) and will be partnered by leading jockey Craig Williams from an ideal draw in barrier 3. Yet to finish outside the first three through four starts this time, the Street Cry filly savaged the line for a two length success in the TAB.com.au BM72 (1100m); progressing to third in the Legea Xmas Party BM72 (1100m) before placing second to Palazzo Pubblico in a Canterbury 1100m sprint on January 9th. Alucinari has already attracted plenty of interest but still offers great value at $6 odds to win this weekend.
Race 6 No. 4 King’s Command – Each Way
King’s Command undoubtedly faces his biggest task to date in the John Calvert BM78 (1400m) on Saturday but is undefeated in two starts this time and takes 3kgs off top weight Duibio. Posting three wins and two minors through only seven competitive starts so far, the Commands gelding was blocked for a run leading into the final straight in the Bellarine Family Cup (1200m) first-up on January 3rd but displayed plenty of ability to poke through a win; repeating the dose with a far more comfortable effort in the Pro-Ride Racing Australia BM70 (1300m) last time out on January 17th. 1400m should prove ideal for the four-year-old, who will be partnered by champion hoop Damien Oliver.
Race 7 No. 5 Wild Rain
The Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) has drawn a talented field of black type horses to Flemington on Saturday, but the Mark Kavanagh-trained Wild Rain will be perfectly suited to the conditions of the race, is in exceptional form and is more than worth consideration at a $4.40 quote for success. Finishing outside the first three only a handful of times through her sixteen career starts, the Manhattan Rain mare returned this time for second in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) on November 5th; progressing to success in the Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes (1000m) on December 5th before placing second to Husson Eagle in the Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) last time out.