Race 1 - 11:45am
Vale Darby McCarthy OAM (1200m)
Lankan Star returned to winning form at Caulfield last time out and looms as a live chance of making it two in a row on Saturday.
The Nicconi filly finished second in last year’s Group 1 Blue Diamond and while she has been unable to return to those lofty heights during her three-year-old season, there has been a lot to like about what she has done this time in, and something of this quality is well and truly within her means.
1 Unit E/W Lankan Star
Race 2 - 12:20pm
AAMI Next Generation Sprint (1000m)
Chrome Angel has enjoyed a positive start to her racing career and can record another win in the first at Flemington on Saturday.
The two-year-old daughter of Street Boss has recorded two wins from only three starts, her other appearance being in The Showdown.
She was very impressive in the VOBIS Gold Strike last time out and a repeat of that effort would see her winning again.
3 Units Chrome Angel
Race 3 - 12:55pm
G.H. Mumm Mile (1600m)
Florent has found terrific form of late and with the benefit of a claiming apprentice aboard, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
The Fiorente filly has continued to improve with each start back from a spell, culminating in an upset win in the VOBIS Sires’ Guineas two back, before running a close second over 1400m at Ladbrokes Park a couple of weeks ago.
She is rock-hard fit and a return to a mile on Saturday will be ideal.
1 Unit E/W Florent
Race 4 - 1:30pm
Kennedy Mile (1600m)
Sikorsky has improved for two starts back from a spell and is ready to win at HQ on Saturday.
The Lindsay Park-trained four-year-old was a strong and consistent performer during the 2018 Spring Carnival and returned from a long lay-off to finish sixth over 1300m at Bendigo.
He finished within a length of Jumbo Ozaki at Caulfield at his most-recent appearance and is another horse that will relish getting out to a mile.
He has a fitness edge over several of his key rivals in this contest.
3 Units Sikorsky
Race 5 - 2:10pm
Furphy Dash (1000m)
This looms as one of the better contests on Saturday’s Andrew
Ramsden card and there is a case to be made for several.
King Of Hastings hasn’t been seen at the races since January, but he boasts a good fresh record and is up to beating this field.
The Ilovethiscity gelding’s record currently stands at three wins and as many minors from only eight starts.
He is one from one down the Flemington straight and he is weighted to win.
2 Units King Of Hastings
Race 6 - 2:50pm
Listed The Andrew Ramsden (2800m)
With ballot-free entry into the Melbourne Cup on the line, a fittingly strong field of stayers has accepted for the Andrew Ramsden, but it does look like Too Close The Sun’s race to lose.
The Lindsey Smith-trained gelding hasn’t run a bad race in his career, but he has gone to another level this time and since arriving on the east coast, culminating in dominant wins in both the Terang Cup and the Warrnambool Cup.
This is harder, but it’s the next logical step and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
2 Units Too Close The Sun
Race 7 - 3:30pm
Lexus Trophy (2000m)
Schabau hasn’t been seen at the races for more than a year, but he has performed extremely well off big breaks previously and is up to winning this race.
The Pastorius entire immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow when he debuted in Australia last autumn, winning each of his three starts, all here at Flemington and including the Listed Roy Higgins Quality.
I like that trainer Robert Hickmott is launching his campaign over 2000m as it suggests that he is forward, and anything close to his best form would see him hard to beat.
2 Units E/W Schabau
Race 8 - 4:10pm
Seppelt Wines Handicap (1400m)
Former west coaster Achernar Star showed some of his better form at Ladbrokes Park a couple of weeks ago and is primed to win third-up at Flemington.
The five-year-old son of Gingerbread Man has been a smart performer throughout his racing career, which has included wins in black type company and good performances at the highest level.
He only just missed the talented Buffalo River at his last start and any improvement on that effort would see him going one better here.
3 Units Achernar Star
Race 9 - 4:45pm
3YO Trophy (1400m)
This is a reasonable step up in class for Eluding, but he could hardly have been more impressive on debut and he can continue his rise through the grades.
The Toronado gelding was sent out an odds-on favourite on debut at Ballarat and returned a performance fitting of the tag, easing up late to score by a length and a half.
He’s sure to have enjoyed good improvement for that effort and looks a touch of overs at a double-figure price ($16 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Eluding