Flemington Final Day is always a highlight of the Melbourne winter, and we’ll be treated to nine strong races at HQ on Saturday.
You can find my complete Flemington best bets below, including 2026 Winter Championship Final Tips!
STARS OF DOM is third up and ready to win.
Having only just been denied on debut at Sandown in May, Stars Of Dom was again beaten by just one rivals over the 1000m at the same course last time.
With further improvement and further out in trip this week, she need only handle the straight to be right in the finish again.
| 4. Stars Of Dom (4) J: Craig Williams 55kg 22T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Lining up for just third start. At debut, 2nd of 13 at Sandown-Hillside 2yo F Hcp on May 23 over 1000m, on a slow track; neck behind Divine Dot with 55.5kg at $16. Last start ran on from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Sandown-Hillside 2yo Hcp on June 13 over 1000m, slow going 1.5 len behind Mbube carrying 55.5kg at $2.90. Gets to 1200m now and will be very hard to hold out. | |||
STAR OF MACEDON looks well placed in a Taj Rossi Series Final.
While yet to strike in three starts since debuting, Star Of Macedon has stamped himself as one to follow by placing on all three occasions, beaten less than a length over 1420m here last time out.
The mile looks perfect, he’s open to further improvement and he can stamp himself as one to watch in spring by winning.
| 3. Star Of Macedon (7) J: Dylan Dunn 55kg 233T: J G Symons & S Laxon | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 3rd of 14 at this track 2yo Hcp on June 20 over 1420m, on a wet track; 1.0 len behind Fontein Jewel carrying 57.5kg at $5. Before that 3rd of 8 at Caulfield 2yo Hcp on May 30 over 1200m, on a wet track; 2.5 len behind Obambulate carrying 58kg at $4. Close to a win. Knocking on the door and up in trip should suit. | |||
This is another great race for DUCHESS ZOU.
After recording consecutive victories in BM84 company ay Sandown and here at Flemington, Duchess Zou kept her best work for late again when filling the minors behind Stylish last time out.
In peak order this week, she meets that horse and others far better at the weights and is drawn to receive the run of the race.
| 4. Duchess Zou (4) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 20113T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently rolled along in front then was edged out late 3rd of 13 at this track F&M Bm90 on June 20 over 1420m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Stylish carrying 56kg at $5.50. The run before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.5 len at this track F&M Bm84 June 6 over 1400m on a heavy track defeating Stylish with 56.5kg at $2.50. Keeps racing well and sets up nicely again. | |||
DECALOGUE is in top form and rates as a key winning chance again this week.
Having stripped fitter via a few competitive efforts earlier this prep, Decalogue broke his maiden over 1850m at Newcastle in May and has since added victories in BM72 company at Randwick and a 2000m handicap here at Flemington to his CV.
In peak order this week, he’s another one that looks suited to getting further out in trip. Topweight is the knock, but he’s proven to be as tough as they come, and I am confident he’ll handle it.
| 1. Decalogue (17) J: Craig Williams 60kg 42111T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.25 len at this track 3yo Qlty June 20 over 2000m in the wet defeating Our Chief carrying 56kg at $3.40. Before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.4 len at Randwick 3yo Bm72 June 6 over 2000m in soft going defeating Simply Gold with 56kg at $3.20. Well ridden but too good last time, sets the benchmark again. | |||
DE BERGERAC takes winning form into this Santa Ana Lane Series Final.
The Zoustar gelding has continued to improve with racing this year, and after finishing the runner up in a pair of metro sprints, including the Listed Straight Six over this route two back, he was too good for them under handicap conditions last time out.
Given he was a month between runs into that race, it should have brought him right back on, and a race of this quality, particularly with a small field, isn’t beyond him.
| 2. De Bergerac (7) J: Daniel Stackhouse 58.5kg 96221T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by a long-neck at this track Hcp June 20 over 1100m in soft going defeating Recommendation with 54.5kg at $4.60. Before that 2nd of 14 at this track in the LR Straight Six on May 16 over 1200m, 2 len behind Losesomewinmore carrying 56kg at $2.90. Won key lead up latest and should go close again. | |||
Happy to stick with THE WESTERN FRONT when he takes his place in the Banjo Paterson Series Final.
He’s been a strong and consistent performer in races not dissimilar to this one, this time in, winning three of his last five starts, including the Sandown Cup in late May.
Having only been denied by Vegas Jack when dropping back down to 2500m here last time out, he looks perfectly placed under these conditions and he need only hold his form to be in the finish once more.
| 2. The Western Front (6) J: Daniel Stackhouse 59kg 11612T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd of 13 at this track Qlty Hcp on June 20 over 2540m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Vegas Jack carrying 57.5kg at $5.50. The run before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a nose at Sandown-Lakeside LR Sandown Cup May 31 over 3200m on a rain affected track defeating Zibulon carrying 55kg at $3. Racing well and gets every hope here. | |||
AL DUCA looks the one to beat in the main feature.
He’s finished worse than second just once in his last five trips to the races, wining the Listed Anniversary Vase at Caulfield most notably and finding form around some credible opposition.
He loves Flemington, Craig Williams enhances his winning claims, and he should enjoy a dream run from a nice low draw this week.
| 3. Al Duca (2) J: Craig Williams 57.5kg 21102T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Most recently held ground to the line 2nd of 11 at this track Davidbourke on June 20 over 1620m, slow going nose behind Seafall with 58.5kg at $4.80. The start before that ran second last of 12 at Bendigo in the LR Golden Mile on May 2 over 1600m, 7 len behind Von Hauke with 57kg at $4.40. Fitter off that and sets up beautifully on speed. | |||
LUDLUM stamped himself as one to follow during a brief but strong debut campaign last spring, while he returned to action with undoubtedly his strongest performance so far to win in Class 1 company at Seymour.
He does face a rise in class this week, but I love that he’s kept up to the mark with a strong trial and should be able to find some cover from the central alley.
| 9. Ludlum (7) J: Jordan Childs 57kg 210×1T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Second-up. First-up after eight months favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Seymour Cl1 June 11 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Electric Elvis with 59.5kg at $2.50. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Seymour 3yo Mdn-Sw October 12 over 1200m defeating Chergui with 58kg at $2.70. Progressive sort who could measure up. | |||
CLEVOR TREVER rates as a key winning chance again.
The Omaha Beach colt ended his debut prep with a strong win in maiden company back in February and is so far unbeaten this time in, winning three races in succession, each tougher than the one the preceded.
This is another rise in class, but he’s a horse that should relish getting out to a mile and on the big Flemington track, and I am happy to stick with him until he gives us a reason not to.
| 1. Clevor Trever (12) J: Billy Egan 60kg 1×111T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by a nose at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Hcp June 13 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Cardamom carrying 58kg at $1.80. Before that favourite; won by 0.8 len at Caulfield 3yo Hcp May 30 over 1400m in the wet defeating Obvious with 55.5kg at $4.80. Very nice colt who will relish a mile, the one to beat. | |||