We’re kicking off the New Year with an eight-race card at Flemington.
The $175k Listed Bagot Handicap headlines the meeting at headquarters and will see the trifecta horses from the Pakenham Cup lock horns again.
The rail will be in the true position and the track is currently rated a Good 4.
We’ve provided our best bets across the card to hopefully start the new year on the right note.
Dom (1) resumes here following a very good first preparation.
The Team Hayes-trained Pierro gelding led them a merry dance on debut at Geelong over 1430m to win by 5.5 lengths.
He then competed well in Saturday company, finishing second in the VOBIS Gold Ingot and then fourth to subsequent G2 Stutt Stakes winner Evaporate.
He’s looked good in two jump outs leading into this with the most recent resulting in a strong win.
Blake Shinn can control the speed in front.
2 Units – Dom (1)
Dream All Day (6) returned in magnificent order two starts ago when charging home down the outside from well back to win her maiden by three lengths at Ballarat.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained mare was held up in the Emerging Stars Final on Ballarat Cup Day which proved costly and saw her finish 1.1 lengths third.
She’ll strip fitter and finished a close second over 2000m here when third-up last preparation.
She has plenty of upside and gets the services of Blake Shinn.
1 Unit – Dream All Day (6)
Trapeze Warrior (3) has had no luck in his past two starts at Cranbourne and Caulfield Heath where he has been caught wide.
The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding’s form was excellent prior to that and I’m expecting a bounce back here.
After winning first-up at Moe, he produced an exceptional effort over 1100m here where he fought gamely to finish a half-length to Pisanello who was low flying.
Thomas Stockdale won his only previous ride on him is back in the saddle and will go forward and give them something to run down.
1 Unit – Trapeze Warrior (3)
Miraval Rose (6) should be ready to produce her best following two solid placings to kick off this preparation.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare fought gamely first-up in the Listed Village Stakes but was beaten by fitter horses to finish 1.1 lengths third.
She raced three-deep throughout in the Magic Millions Victoria 3&4YO Classic on the Caulfield Heath track last start but still gave a good sight to finish 1.2 lengths third.
She’ll strip fitter and is a previous third-up winner having taken out the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes last year.
Craig Williams has opted to ride her instead of Modown who he rode to victory last start.
1 Unit – Miraval Rose (6)
Both Sides Now (6) has improved with each run this preparation and can continue her upward trajectory.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare won her maiden in emphatic fashion three starts ago when bolting in by 3.3 lengths over a mile at Ballarat.
Two starts back she didn’t have an easy time racing three wide over 1600m at The Valley but still fought on well to finish 2.3 lengths third.
She bounced back to winning form last start at The Valley when controlling the race from start to finish for a 1.5 length victory.
She’s had a jump out to keep her up to the mark and maps to get the run of the race.
2 Units – Both Sides Now (6)
Muramasa (1) looks set to peak here following an excellent effort in the Listed Pakenham Cup last start.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding settled a long way back before hitting the line with gusto in the final furlong to finish a half-length second.
The rise in distance suits and he is a multiple winner here including the 2023 G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m.
He’ll enjoy an economical run from the inside gate for Blake Shinn.
1 Unit – Muramasa (1)
In an open race, I’m going with the consistent Cyclone Harmony (4) who has won three of his past five starts.
Unfortunately, a slow getaway proved costly last start for the Peter Gelagotis-trained gelding with him running on from the back to finish 2.8 lengths fourth over 1800m on The Heath track.
Tianni Chapman, who claims 3kg, returns to the saddle and has a great relationship with the horse combining for three recent wins.
The inside barrier should see him enjoy an economical run and hopefully not as far back.
1 Unit Each Way – Cyclone Harmony (4)
Grand Larceny (7) is racing in a rich vein of form this preparation.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding found the line well second-up to win over 955m at The Valley.
Last start he let down powerfully over 1000m on the Caulfield Heath track to win by half a length in impressive fashion.
He’s at peak fitness now and is likely drawn in the right part of the track for Craig Williams.
2 Units – Grand Larceny (7)