2025 Anzac Day Stakes Day Preview

Feature racing kicks off at Flemington on Friday, and we’ll be treated to eight races on Anzac Day Stakes Day.

Not only will an exciting field of two-year-olds step out for the day’s namesake event, but we’ll also bear witness to a quality crop of three-year-olds in the VRC St Leger; several with one eye on the South Australian Derby.

You can find my Anzac Day Stakes tips and remaining Flemington best bets below.

St Vincents Gardens is third-up and well placed in the first on Anzac Day Stakes Day, in my opinion.

The Camelot gelding was beaten just over three lengths by Muktamil at Ballarat fresh from a break and took plenty of improvement into a credible third at Bendigo last time out.

Fitter third-up and onto the big Flemington track, I think he’ll receive every chance this week.

1 Unit St Vincents Garden

I’m keen to stick with Reina Isabella when she goes around in The Les Carlyon.

Reina Isabella worked home well to finish just a length and a half behind the winner at The Valley when resuming and hit the line over 1400m at Pakenham last time to only just miss.

She has drawn a little wide this week, but if she can find a nice position in running, I’m confident her turn of speed will see her in the thick of things again.

2 Units Reina Isabella

I’m keen to see No Fuss out to 1800m at Flemington on Friday.

No Fuss went to the paddock after breaking his maiden out at Ballarat last July and picked up where he left off with a tight win at Sandown in February.

He steps out this week third-up and following the best performance of his career so far; a two-length victory in BM70 company, and breeding suggests he’ll love this journey.

3 Units No Fuss

Changing Colours returned to action with a nice performance at Sandown and will take plenty of improvement into this contest.

The four-year-old mare hasn’t missed placing in five trips to the races since debuting and finished within a length of a couple of classy rivals fresh from a break.

She’s drawn terribly this week, but the booking of Jamie Melham adds confidence, and even luck in running would see her into the finish again in my opinion.

2 Units Changing Colours

Some exiting juveniles will contest the Anzac Day Stakes including Amazake, who I have put on top.

Amazake has only made one appearance at the races so far, but he couldn’t have done a lot more without winning the VOBIS Gold Plate at this track and distance.

He was bested by Prestige Ole that day, who will carry 2.5kgs more than Amazake, and with natural improvement for that experience, I think this horse is ready to win.

2 Units Amazake

I’m going to give Format another chance when he takes his place in the VRC St Leger field.

Format has turned in some fine performances this time in, winning races at Kembla Grange and Newcastle, but he was too bad to be true in the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill earlier this month.

I like that he’s been back to the trials since that race, the rise in trip looks suitable, and he can stamp himself as a leading contender for a race like the South Australian Derby by winning.

3 Units Format

New York Lustre returns from a short break on Anzac Day Stakes Day.

The Manhattan Rain mare has been excellent since debuting and broke her maiden back in December before recording three subsequent victories in progressively stronger races.

She’s had a couple of trials ahead of Friday’s return, she’s proven down the Flemington straight, and I think she’ll use this as a stepping stone into something better.

3 Units New York Lustre

King Zephyr has returned to the races an improved horse and strikes another winnable one at Flemington on Friday.

The Hallowed Crown gelding was far too classy at Pakenham fresh in February and has since taken care of quality fields at Sandown a further two times.

He’s another one that has been kept up to the mark with a trial and Jordan Childs knows him like the back of his hand.

3 Units King Zephyr