There are nine quality races taking place on Saturday at Flemington with plenty of opportunities to build a bank.
Our full 2022 VRC National Jockeys Trust Day Tips & Preview.
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RACE 1: BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP (2500M) 11:50AM
Tip: No. 8 Reflect The Stars
Two of Reflect The Stars four career wins have come second up from a spell and she is yet to miss a place from four runs at 2500m.
She was well beaten at Caulfield when resuming over 2000m but looks for a sharp improvement into this race.
Hoping we can start our day off with a nice win in the opening race!
RACE 2: 2YO HANDICAP (1400M) 12:25PM
Tip: 4 Skyforger
The Freedman trained Skyforger is having his third career start and although he is yet to run a place, he has not been far away.
The son of Deep Field has finished within 1.6 lengths in both his starts and the step up to 1400m will suit.
He’s drawn perfectly in barrier three and the blinkers go on for the first time.
RACE 3: 3YO HANDICAP (2000M) 1:00PM
Tip: No. 9 Sunday’s Best
Sunday’s Best broke through for her maiden win at her fifth start at Cranbourne, scoring by three quarters of a length.
They beat home the third horse by a further two lengths in that event and while this is a decent step up in grade, she is a very progressive type of filly.
The step up to 2000m shouldn’t be a concern especially considering she has drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier three.
RACE 4: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1400M) 1:35PM
Tip: No. 4 Defining
Defining put together back to back wins at Murray Bridge and Oakbank, winning by a combined 9.7 lengths in the process.
She ran into one better at Morphettville last start when stepping up in grade to Listed level but this looks a very winnable race at this stage in her prep.
RACE 5: 3YO TROPHY (1100M) 2:10PM
Tip: No. 5 Star Patrol
Star Patrol has proven he is a horse with a magnitude of ability so far this prep.
He broke his maiden at Pakenham by five lengths to kick start this campaign before stepping out in an open 3YO race at Flemington last start and romping home by seven.
This does not look any harder and he should again prove too strong this field.
Bet of the day.
RACE 6: BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP (1800M) 2:45PM
Tip: No. 4 La Chevalee
I have a lot of time for the consistent mare La Chevalee who has been placed in 11 of her 18 career race starts.
She was beaten just 1.5 lengths in the Gold Bracelet at Bendigo behind the smart Sirileo Miss and then scored by two lengths at Randwick last time out on the heavy 10.
RACE 7: LISTED HILTON NICHOLAS STRAIGHT SIX (1200M) 3:25PM
Tip: No. 14 Curran
Curran got to within a length of Extreme Warrior in the Bel Espirit at Caulfield first up and that horse is the current favourite in the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide on Saturday.
I loved the way this guy attacked the line in the last 50m and he will only improve on that effort stepping up in distance.
Looks well placed and represents good value at $10.
RACE 8: BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP (1600M) 4:05PM
Tip: No. 13 Tuvalu
Tuvalu has won three of his last four by a combined 7.5 lengths and has won five of eight overall.
The lightly raced four year old gelding is a very progressive type of horse which can not be said for a lot of horses in this field.
He is short enough in the market but he is clearly the horse to beat.
RACE 9: BENCHMARK 70 TROPHY (1100M) 4:40PM
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 1/4/7/8/16
Let’s box them up in the last and see if we can finish the day on a winning note.