Flemington will host a quality nine-race metropolitan program this Saturday, June 8th.
The rail will be set out eight metres around the entire course while at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
I’ve run the rule over every galloper engaged, and you can find my Flemington tips below.
Race 1 - 11:50am
RDA Peninsula Jenny Stidston Sprint (1200m)
Markdel only just missed at his latest appearances and looks to be a key winning chance in the first at HQ on Saturday.
The Snitzel colt hit the line behind the likes of Stay Focused on debut at Geelong in January before immediately going to the paddock, and after a fair effort at Sandown when resuming, he only just missed in a photo last time out.
Fitter third-up, he’s ready to win.
2 Units Markdel
Race 2 - 12:25pm
RDA Horsham Jan Croser Plate (1400m)
Fairway Star will take improvement into her second campaign start at Flemington this week.
Fairway Star turned in some fine performances last time in, winning in BM72 company at Randwick most notably and ending her prep in featured company on the Gold Coast.
She clearly needed her first run back this time to tune up and with appropriate luck in running, something like this doesn’t look beyond her.
1 Unit Fairway Star
Race 3 - 1pm
RDAV Mary Longden Mile (1600m)
Some People Callme is hard fit and ready to win again.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper settled off the pace at Sandown last time out and mustered a nice turn of foot to finish second behind Lady In Pink.
A mile at Flemington looks suitable and he’s drawn to receive every chance from barrier 6.
1 Unit Some People Callme
Race 4 - 1:35pm
Sally Francis Plate (2520m)
Mirzann turned in his worst performance since arriving in Australia last weekend, but I am keen to hold firm on the short back-up this week.
The former French galloper hit the line to only just miss behind Cadmus on debut for Chris Waller in May and repeated that effort and result over 1800m here two back.
His effort last week appeared to be one of a horse crying out for a trip, and he gets that on the big Flemington course this week.
3 Units Mirzann
Race 5 - 2:10pm
RDA Moorabbin Jane Baker Plate (2000m)
Another horse that I thought looked well placed to bounce back this weekend is Aztec State.
Aztec State improved noticeably with each of his first three runs back this time, culminating in an eye-catching win over 2000m at Caulfield last month.
Navy King and Saban absolutely dominated in Aztec State’s most recent race, but this bloke did finish off well again, and he steps out this weekend in peak order.
He should receive every chance this week.
2 Units Aztec State
Race 6 - 2:45pm
RDA Daylesford Lesley Hewitt Trophy (2000m)
Red Sun Sensation is yet to show his best in two runs back from a break, but there’s no doubt that he was an improver second-up, and I think that this looks a great race for him.
The black type winner dusted off the cobwebs over 1400m at Caulfield in late April before finishing seventh, beaten three lengths in BM100 company at a mile here last time.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, he gets into this race well and does have the ability to fight out the finish.
1 Unit E/W Red Sun Sensation
Race 7 - 3:20pm
ATA Trainers’ Trust Handicap (1100m)
Scorsese can go forward and give a sight in this contest.
The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained gelding has been racing in good and consistent form throughout a busy preparation, and after taking up the running in BM64 company at his latest, he proved too strong late again.
There’s no doubt that this is the sternest task that he has been set so far, but he’s in peak order and will be in it for a long way again.
1 Unit E/W Scorsese
Race 8 - 4pm AEDT
RDA Pakenham Trophy (1400m)
Rheinberg gets another great chance to win when he takes his place in the penultimate race at HQ.
The Swiss Ace gelding was faultless last time in, and there is no doubt that he has been on the constant improvement this time in, highlighted by a close-up second in BM84 company at his latest.
He’s in peak order this week, the 1400m suits and he might not get a better opportunity in Saturday metro company.
2 Units Rheinberg
Race 9 - 4:34pm
RDA Oaklands Trophy (1200m)
Veteran William Thomas still looks to be more than capable, and he strikes a really nice race at Flemington on Saturday.
It has been a short while since he won a race, but William Thomas has turned in some fine performances back from a break, filling the minors in BM78 company most notably
He’s another than step out this week in peak order and he’ll be looking to arrive late again.
1 Unit William Thomas