A stacked nine-race program is set to take place this Saturday at Flemington, headlined by the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 2800m.
The track is currently rated a Good 4, while the rail remains 2m out across the entire circuit.
For our best bets ahead of the entire meeting, be sure to read on below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
RACE 1: NEXT GENERATION SPRINTERS SERIES HEAT 1 (1100M), 11:55AM
Tip: No. 2 Nothing Silly
Nothing Silly makes his return to the races and we’re getting a nice price for the Rubick colt.
Kevin Corstens two-year-old won on debut at Bendigo during the spring in similar conditions where he beat home Kings Consort, who has recently resumed to win The Showdown at Caulfield.
He’s drawn to get a lovely run from barrier 4 and the blinkers come off for the first time under Matthew Cartwright.
RACE 2: FLEMINGTON FILLIES SPRINT (1100M), 12:30PM
Tip: 3 Commands The Field
Commands The Field has been up for a while but she has held her form nicely to find the money in all six starts this time in work.
The daughter of Deep Field gets back to her own age and sex after running third at Sandown over further two weeks ago on a Heavy 8.
She should appreciate firmer footing here at Headquarters, and the step back to 1100m should suit.
RACE 3: MAHOGANY CHALLENGE SERIES HEAT 2 (1700M), 1:05PM
Tip: No. 2 Carlisle
Big watch on Carlisle out to 1700m now.
The three-year-old son of So you Think won by a big margin second-up at Pakenham last month and was super brave to the line winning narrowly at Sandown in his latest.
This is tougher, but it’s the next logical step for him and if he finds the front again, he’ll give his rivals something to catch.
RACE 4: LEILANI SERIES HEAT 1 (1400M), 1:40PM
Tip: No. 4 Saigon
Saigon appears to have returned well for Chris Waller if her first-up run was anything to go by.
The I Am Invincible mare settled midfield and took up the lead at Sandown over 1300m before she was gunned down late by a smart horse in Agreeable.
She’s won second-up in the past and I think out to a bigger track like Flemington will suit. Needs a touch of luck from the draw, but with Craig Newitt retaining the ride and some good wet track form, there’s a lot to like.
RACE 5: LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP TOUR HANDICAP (1600M), 2:15PM
Tip: No. 9 Lyrical Lad
Very deep race, so I’m looking to take a flyer on Lyrical Lad at a price.
Phillip Stokes’ gelding ran a strong race for third over the mile at Sandown first-up but then struggled for luck two weeks later where he just found the worst part of the track in the finish.
Strips fitter for both runs and is undefeated in two starts third-up from a spell. Wet track form also gets a big tick.
RACE 6: SILVER BOWL SERIES HEAT 1 (1400M), 2:50PM
Tip: No. 9 Arran Bay
Arran Bay looks to have returned a treat for Phillip Stokes.
The lightly-raced gelding by All Too Hard ran on well for second first-up at Sandown over 1300m in a race that really didn’t go to plan.
Out to 1400m second-up looks ideal, and with some weight off and a little juice in the track, he’ll be tough to beat.
RACE 7: LISTED LEXUS ANDREW RAMSDEN (2800M), 3:30PM
Tip: No. 11 Splendiferous
There are a few to like in the feature, but the fact the Waterhouse and Bott team have accepted with Splendiferous on the quick backup is significant.
The Pride of Dubai mare won the Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville last week by nearly five lengths, and while this is tougher, obviously the team think she’s pulled up well.
This is her first look at Flemington but the late sectionals she ran last week were also telling. Her wet track form passes the test and Brett Pebble has plenty to work with from the low draw.
RACE 8: VRC-CRV WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES HEAT 1 (1400M), 4:10PM
Tip: No. 17 Triple Missile
Triple Missile stands out as one of the better bets on the program.
The Smart Missile four-year-old resumed from a freshen-up last week at Warrnambool to run fourth in the Wangoom, a game effort considering it was a swimmers track.
He also had plenty to do from the wide draw and I think out to 1400m should suit considering he placed in a Stakes race at Bunbury last year over the same distance.
Drawn much kinder this time around, he’ll be tough to hold out if he earns a spot.
RACE 9: SANTA ANA LANE SPRINT SERIES HEAT 2 (1000M), 4:45PM
Tip: No. 1 Dosh
Dosh will do me here in the last.
Grahame Begg’s filly returns to the races following a successful spring that saw her place in a Stakes race here at Flemington and the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.
She’s been a consistent first-up performer so far with two wins and a place to her name from three starts, while she’s also found the money on both occasions at Flemington.
