Saturday’s Best Bets: Flemington, Rosehill, Doomben

ICE KOOL (10) resumed in excellent order, sitting outside the lead before proving far too good over 1000m at Randwick.

The David Pfeiffer-trained gelding then backed it up with another strong Randwick win, where he was posted three-wide throughout but still had enough in hand to score by a half-length.

He’s had a month between runs and has since been back to the trials, where he gave his rivals a serious touch-up by 8.23 lengths.

This is his biggest test so far, but with just one defeat from five starts and a favourable map with no weight, he gets every chance to measure up.

READY TO SHINE (2) looks to have come back in the same excellent order he was in before a short break.

The Matthew Smith-trained gelding resumed with a close second at Canterbury before crossing from a wide gate over this course and distance last start and leading throughout for a half-length win.

He has won two from three third-up runs, including over this trip on a rain-affected Warwick Farm track last preparation.

The map suggests gun apprentice Siena Grima can stalk what looks a genuine tempo.

BOLD SOUL (1) fought gamely to finish fourth in last year’s edition of the Deane Lester Flemington Cup.

The Patrick Payne-trained gelding is racing in similar form to last year having produced a strong effort over 2600m in the Banjo Patterson Series Final last start to finish 2.25 lengths second to Highland Blaze.

He meets that horse 3kg better at the weights and arrives here at peak fitness.

Blinkers go on for the first time which should see Jacob Noonan settle closer in the run.

We’ve all seen Bjorn Baker’s Toyota Forklift television advertisements, where he says there’s “no such thing as safe bets” or “certainties” in racing, but he may have found one in the Listed Winter Challenge.

I’m siding with one of his runners, MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (8), who kept finding the line despite covering ground in the Lister Stakes last start, finishing 2.16 lengths third to General Salute and McHale.

He meets that pair in a more suitable set-up this time, and his overall form profile looks stronger, highlighted by two wins including the Listed Civic Stakes.

Rock-hard fit and drawn to get the right run, he should receive every chance from Tommy Berry.

HARD KICK (1) makes his long-awaited return to the races on Saturday and looks poised to pick up where he left off.

The exciting colt created a big impression on debut when bolting in by nearly three lengths in the Talindert Stakes over 1100m at Flemington in February, immediately marking himself as a colt with spring feature race potential.

He’s looked sharp in the lead-up with a pair of pleasing trials, and if he reproduces anything close to that debut performance, he’ll take plenty of beating.

SAINT GEORGE (2) is second up into a winnable race at Flemington this week and is noticeably over the odds in my opinion.

The talented stayer has put together a consistent record across both the UK and Australia, winning four of his 18 starts while adding another five placings, with much of that form coming against quality opposition.

He worked home encouragingly when fourth over a mile here first-up, a run that suggested he would take plenty of benefit from the outing. The step up to 2000m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and on class, he looks to have a clear edge over many of his rivals.

BOLD SOUL (1) rates as a key chance in a wide-open Deane Lester Flemington Cup.

While wins have been hard to come by, the honest stayer has been racing in consistently good form this preparation, placing over 2540m at Flemington before chasing home the impressive Highland Blaze in the Banjo Paterson Final at his latest appearance.

He meets that horse on more favourable weight terms this time around, and the rise in distance looks another positive. If the race is run to suit, he should be charging home late and giving himself every opportunity to turn the tables.

The Winter Challenge shapes as one of the most even renewals in recent years with several genuine winning hopes, but MCHALE (10) stands out at an appealing price.

The gelding may not boast a prolific winning record, but he has returned in good order this preparation, producing a solid first-up effort in the Civic Stakes before charging home to finish runner-up in the Winter Stakes at his latest appearance.

He strips fitter third-up and the rise to 1500m looks ideal. The wide draw shouldn’t pose too much of an issue given he’s likely to settle back in the field anyway, and with clear running in the straight, he has the turn of speed to be right in the contest once again.

STREET ARTIST (11) has attracted strong support since markets opened, and it’s easy to understand the confidence.

Clayton Douglas’ three-year-old produced an eye-catching first-up run over 1000m at Caulfield, closing off strongly to finish second despite covering ground throughout.

He gets the blinkers on for the first time on Saturday and also brings solid straight-track form, having gone close in a similar race down the Flemington Straight Six on Cup Day when held up at a key stage.

If he can settle within striking distance of the speed, he looks a major winning chance.

FLYING KHAN (8) is likely to have plenty of supporters after a solid effort in the Silver Bowl Series Final over the mile here a couple of weeks ago.

The son of Flying Artie was tested in stronger grade after breaking his maiden at Donald the start prior, and he stuck on well late to finish second behind Clevor Trever following a neat ride from Teo Nugent.

From the inside draw, he should get every chance to land in a favourable spot, and with further improvement to come carrying just 54kg, he looks right in the mix.

TAJANIS (4) has had some gear adjustments as connections look for a better showing after a below-par run at Flemington just under a month ago.

Charlotte Littlefield’s gelding was posted wide into the bend and never really got the chance to build momentum, finishing six lengths from Vegas Jack on a rain-affected track.

Dropping back in trip from the 3200m Listed assignment the start prior was an interesting move, but getting back up to a distance he has won over previously looks suitable here. The inside draw should also work in his favour.

On a firmer surface and with some weight relief, he can certainly improve enough to push for a Top 3 result.

MCHALE (10) caught the eye second-up in the Winter Stakes a fortnight ago, charging home from the tail to run second to General Salute.

He had a bit of work to do that day from a wide position but was very brave in the finish when landing in front of Saturday’s favourite, Midnight Dynamite.

Fitter third-up now and likely to adopt similar tactics from the wide gate this time, he’ll be hard to hold out with clear over 1500m.