Flemington will host nine quality races on Saturday, December 19th.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, the track is rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 - 12:55pm AEDT
Seppelt Salinger Handicap (2600m)
He didn’t show a lot last time out, but Bartholomeu lDias has certainly stripped fitter for three starts back, and he is up to winning this race.
The Mount Nelson gelding needed the run when fifth in the Seymour Cup first-up, but his second-up performance to finish a nose second in the Kyneton Cup suggested that he has returned in good condition.
He was only two lengths from the winner at The Valley last time out, and I’m confident he’ll relish a return to Flemington this week.
2 Units Bartholomeu Dias
Race 2 - 1:30pm AEDT
Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m)
Written Miss puts an unbeaten record on the line in Race 2, and she can continue her rise through the grades.
The Written Tycoon filly stamped herself as a runner to follow when she broke her maiden in style at Ballarat, and proved that it was no fluke when beating a BM70 field by nearly two lengths at Pakenham last time out.
This is harder, but it looks the next obvious step for her.
3 Units Written Miss
Race 3 - 2:05pm AEDT
Benchmark 70 Trophy (1400m)
Sensationalisation faces a rise in class, but couldn’t have been more impressive when resuming and can go on with the job.
The three-year-old filled the minors in each of her two starts during her debut prep, including the VOBIS Gold Ingot in July, and she gave her rivals windburn when resuming this time at Geelong.
She harbours plenty of upside and is up to winning something of this quality.
3 Units Sensationalisation
Race 4 - 2:40pm AEDT
#LoveTheHorse Trophy (1600m)
I am a big fan of Vungers and this shapes as another very winnable race for him.
Vungers stripped fitter with a couple of decent efforts early this prep, but his last two efforts, both dominant wins in the Donald Cup and the Wodonga Cup suggested that he has gone to another level.
A rise to city grade is obviously another test, but he has a fitness edge over several of his key rivals.
4 Units Vungers
Race 5 - 3:20pm AEDT
Myer Giftorium Handicap (1400m)
Saccharo hasn’t missed placing at this point of his preparation previously, and he looms as a live each-way chance in the fifth at Flemington on Saturday.
The Magnus gelding needed the run when he resuming at Ladbrokes Park a few weeks ago, but battled on well to fill the minors behind a couple of good ones.
He looks well suited to the big track at HQ and with even luck, he can fight out the finish again.
2 Units E/W Saccharo
Race 6 - 4pm AEDT
Merry Christmas VRC Members Plate (1600m)
Re Edit’s last-start performance was impressive, and this looks a great opportunity for her to win again.
The Camelot mare has been something of an inconsistent performer throughout her racing career, but she only just missed when second behind Rocha Clock here on Oaks Day, and she mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to finish over the top of her rivals at The Valley last time out.
Fitter third-up and with Craig Williams in the saddle, she is my best bet on the program.
5 Units Re Edit
Race 7 - 4:40pm AEDT
Furphy Festive Season Sprint (1200m)
Defiant Dancer will take winning form into the seventh at HQ on Saturday and can win again.
The Foxwedge gelding has been a model of consistency since debuting, and he has recorded four wins and a further seven minors from just fifteen starts.
His win in a decent race at Pakenham when resuming was one of the best performances of his career, and any improvement on that effort would surely see him winning again.
4 Units Defiant Dancer
Race 8 - 5:20pm AEDT
Kennedy Handicap (1400m)
Titan Blinders has returned to his best form this time, and this looks a great opportunity for him to win in town on a Saturday.
The enigmatic sprinter placed in each of his first five starts back from a spell, seemingly forgetting how to win, but he finally saluted with a dominant performance in the China Bowl at Ararat two starts back.
Proving that was no fluke, Titan Blinders then came out and won again in BM84 company at Ballarat last month, and he can make it three on Saturday.
3 Units Titan Blinders
Race 9 - 6pm AEDT
G.H. Mumm Christmas Plate (1000m)
Fine Dane will return from a short spell in the last at Flemington on Saturday and he is up to winning.
The Danerich gelding probably didn’t find his best form through three starts last time, but they were all decent races, and he has won three of five previous fresh attempts.
He’ll get some relief in the weights with Campbell Rawiller in the saddle and can return to winning form.
2 Units Fine Dane