2021 Spring Classics Preview Day Preview

Spring Preview Day at Flemington on Wednesday, September 22^nd, is headlined by exciting editions of the Kennedy Oaks Trial and the Victoria Derby Trial.

The rail will be set out a whopping 14 metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.

She has been charged with carrying topweight, but she couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, and I am confident that New York Baby can make a winning return in the first at Flemington on Wednesday.

New York Baby looked to have plenty of ability prior to debuting, and she put the writing on the wall with a comfortable win in the VOBIS Gold Strike in May.

She should get every chance in this small field and can fight out the finish.

3 Units New York Baby

All eight horses engaged in the second are on debut, and there is obviously an awful lot that can happen in an early season two-year-olds race.

I am happy to stay out of this, with a view towards something later in the season.

No Bet

He’s The Ultimate faces a rise in class at HQ this week, but he was a convincing winner in maiden company last time, and he can continue his journey through the grades.

The Fastnet Rock colt finished fifth behind the likes of Vilana at Ladbrokes Park when resuming, but never looked in doubt at Pakenham last time, extending in the straight to greet the judge more than five lengths ahead of his rivals.

Fitter third-up, this looks another winnable race.

4 Units He’s The Ultimate

This looms as one of the more open races on the program, and a horse like Our Wind Spirit looks to have claims on winning at a nice price ($10 at publish).

The Per Incanto gelding has been a consistent performer without winning recently, missing a placing just once in his last five trips to the races.

He only just missed in BM78 company last time, he’ll get some relief in the weights this week and we can have an each-way play at the price.

2 Units E/W Our Wind Spirit

Barb Raider looks the filly to beat in this year’s Kennedy Oaks Preview.

The daughter of Rebel Raider has improved for three starts since debuting, culminating in a dominant win in BM70 company at Ladbrokes Park a fortnight ago.

She strikes this race in peak condition, will relish the rise in trip and dropping back to three-year-olds company, and Craig Williams retains the ride.

6 Units Barb Raider

I’m going to have something of a throw at the stumps in the Victoria Derby Preview, and I thought that the Chris Waller-trained Fazzabeel has claims on winning at a nice price ($15 at publish).

Fazzabeel has made just one appearance at the races so far, but he kept all of his best work for late when fourth, beaten a length on debut over 1500m at Bendigo.

He gave the impression (and breeding suggests) that he’ll be better for that run and getting further out in trip, and this is another opportunity whereby we have something on each way.

2 Units E/W Fazzabeel

Mr Brightside is seeking a fifth win in succession when he steps out at HQ on Wednesday, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.

The Bulldbars gelding only just missed behind Toomuchtobear at Bendigo when resuming and simply hasn’t looked back, winning each of his four subsequent starts with something in hand, each a tougher race than its predecessor.

He’s rock-hard fit and will take a power of beating once more.

5 Units Mr Brightside

I have become a big fan of He’s The Real Deel, and I am more than happy to stick with him in the last on Spring Preview Day.

He’s The Real Deel is yet to return a poor effort since debuting, but he has gone to a new level this prep, winning twice and finishing a close-up second on the other occasion.

He steps out in peak order on Wednesday, he is drawn ideally and gets some relief in the weights under in-form hoop Josh Richards.

6 Units He’s The Real Deel