Eleven two-year-olds will step out in the first and at publish, we’re looking at $5. There is form all over the place in this field and several horses will be stepping out for only the second time, as well as seemingly stepping up in class. I can’t find an angle I’m keen to follow and will happily wait for Race 2.
No Bet
Ocean Deep has returned to racing in career best form this time and strikes another winnable race at HQ on Saturday. The Ocean Park mare hit the line well to finish a close-up second two and three starts back, before producing an eye-catching turn of foot to score over 1400m at Caulfield last time out. She’s rock-hard fit and with even luck, will take beating again.
2 Units Ocean Deep
Miss Leonidas has found exceptional form this time and will take a power of beating fourth-up at Flemington on Saturday. The I Am Invincible mare finished a short-head second at Mornington first-up before recording a smart win in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes. She hit the line for third after a tough run over 1200m at Caulfield last time out and should still take improvement into this race. The form out of her races has held up and she can record the fifth win of her career here.
3 Units Miss Leonidas
Big Night Out has returned three pleasing efforts this time and looks ready to peak fourth-up on Saturday. The three-year-old son of Lope De Vega scored with ease at Ladbrokes Park two back before finishing a half-length second at this track and distance last time out. He’ll take further improvement into this race and has plenty of options from the rails draw. There doesn’t look to be a whole lot of depth in this field and he does look the one to beat.
3 Units Big Night Out
Seventeen horses remain in contention for the fifth but it does look like Begood Toya Mother’s race to lose. The four-year-old son of My Boy Charlie has recorded three dominant wins from as many starts this time and has drawn a gun barrier for this race. He’s already received huge attention in betting and he probably wins, but the $1.65 that is on offer at publish is too short for me.
No Bet
Fidelia is seeking a third-consecutive win and looks beautifully placed to complete the feat in the sixth at Flemington. The Not A Single Doubt filly has continued to improve with racing this time and worked home well to score by a length two back, before an easy win in a harder race over 1400m here last time out. She’s drawn well in barrier 7 and with even luck, is clearly the one to beat.
Tahitian Dancer has returned a few competitive efforts this time and looks a touch of overs at her current price. The Dawn Approach filly just got there to win at Mornington first-up and has continued to perform well in tougher races. She was last seen finished fourth in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes at Morphettville
3 Units Fidelia
1 Unit E/W Tahitian Dancer
This is perhaps the most open race on the card and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. At publish, we’re looking at $6 the field.
Nordic Symphony has enjoyed something of a meteoric rise to prominence and she looks tough to beat over the 2000m again. The three-year-old filly beat a classy field to the line over 1710m here at on Anzac Day before returning an impressive effort for fifth in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks last time out. This is a step back in class from that and she is worth consideration again at an each-way price.
1 Unit E/W Nordic Symphony
Husson Eagle bolted home when he was finally offered a clear passage in the Wangoom Handicap two weeks ago and he’ll take wholesale improvement into an easier race at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Husson has been a strong and consistent performer for Patrick Payne throughout his entire racing career so far and returned three gallant efforts during a short summer prep, which included a second placing behind Alizee in the Listed Christmas Classic. He’s proven down the straight and will be tough to hold out.
2 Units Husson Eagle
Mantastic has been a typically strong performer this time and is up to winning the last on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained gelding rarely runs a bad race and was last seen saluting with absolute ease over 1800m here at Flemington. He’s rock-hard fit and is drawn a treat once more.
I’m expecting an improved performance from the Danny O’Brien-trained Lycurgus, but he could need this run to find his best. The son of Star Witness has an excellent record here at Flemington and will relish the increase in trip.
2 Units Mantastic
0.5 Units E/W Lycurgus