Jason Warren-trained Gawnski the best bet of Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap meeting at Flemington
A strong last-start second behind a smart type at Caulfield has left a Jason Warren-trained runner ready to win at Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap meeting at Flemington.
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News Corp form analyst Brad Waters take an early look at Saturday’s Flemington meeting.
BEST BET
GAWNSKI (Race 4, No.3)
Gawnski showed he was ready to win when a good second to the smart Mollynickers at Caulfield last time out and he’ll be improved at his next 1400m run on Saturday.
VALUE BET
COURT DEEP (Race 6, No.4)
Court Deep is a consistent type that gave a great sight when narrowly beaten over 1800m at Sandown. He’s a 2000m winner and should be hard to run down.
EARLY QUADDIE
4, 6/4, 8, 9, 10, 11/1, 2, 5/1, 4, 14, 19
$100 flexi for 120 per cent
BIG6
1, 2, 5/1, 4, 14, 19/1, 3, 8/2, 14/5, 7, 9, 11/2, 7, 10
$100 flexi for 11.8 per cent
QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 3, 8
Race 7: 2, 14
Race 8: 5, 7, 9, 11
Race 9: 2, 7, 10
$100 flexi for 138 per cent
RACE 1: 11:50AM VRC MEMBERS SPRINT (1100m)
Cool conditions are likely for Flemington. ANILLA (1) can get punters off to a good start in the opening race. He won down the straight last time in and won a jumpout last month. SQUIZZY MIZZY (7) wasn’t far away second-up and should be ready to fire. RIVER NOIRE (8) impressed last time in and should be around the mark first-up. OUR LAST CASH (2) is a talented galloper and the stable usually performs well in Melbourne.
SUGGESTED BET: Anilla each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: River Noire $3.80 – $3.
RACE 2: 12:20PM VRC MEMBER PAMELA PERRY ASPIRANT HANDICAP (1200m)
The first edition of the new 10th race is a lottery. Going with LOVIN’ LAUGHS (2) in a tough race after improving sharply to score at Sandown last time out. RICHTER (19) has ability and will be suited getting back onto the turf at his fourth run this time in. SMUGGLER’S RUN (10) was a touch unlucky at Echuca last time and could bob up at odds while AIR DEFENCE (7) has drawn the right part of the track and will be competitive. Not much confidence here though.
SUGGESTED BET: Lovin’ Laughs each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: The Prodigal Son $5 -4.40.
RACE 3: 12:55PM VRC MEMBER MATTHEW HODDER PLATE (1410m)
Plenty of talent in this field but GAWNSKI (4) is the top pick after chasing home the smart Mollynickers at Caulfield at his first run over 1400m. WARLORDS (6) was a strong debut winner at Sale and should continue to improve. EXTREME SPIRIT (1) returns to Melbourne after a good effort at Flemington two runs back and could improve. FLYING CONCELLO (2) has won his last two and could continue his development with another solid effort.
SUGGESTED BET: Gawnski to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Warlords $6. – $4.20
RACE 4: 1:30PM VRC MEMBER JENNIFER LEFEBVRE TROPHY (1410m)
CUBAN LINK (10) might represent a bit of value here. She’s up in class after a good effort at Caulfield and should be able to run on well with only 54kg on her back with Craig Williams aboard. HELL HOUND (8) found winning form at Caulfield and should go well again while BEOUR BAY (9) is racing in great heart and should be in this for a long way. IMPENDING SHADOW (11) will give a start but should be running on well at the end.
SUGGESTED BET: Cuban Link to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Beour Bay $15 – $6.
RACE 5: 2:05PM VRC MEMBER BARBARA STEPHENS TROPHY (2530m)
Track bias or not, CLAIDHEAMH MOR (5) impressed with the ease of his win and ran good time in the process of strolling to victory at The Valley. He’ll settle better on a seven-day back-up and will be hard to beat. MIMI’S AWARD (1) has plenty of weight but she’s earned it with her excellent recent form. TEEWATERS (2) bounced back to winning ways at Caulfield and could go on with here. HEREFORAGOODTIME (10) was sound at Sandown and is worth putting in exotics.
SUGGESTED BET: Claidheamh Mor to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Claidheamh Mor $5 – $3.40.
RACE 6: 2:40PM VRC MEMBER SIMON GREEN PLATE (2000m)
Another difficult race for punters but COURT DEEP (4) is racing most consistently and can go one better than a narrow defeat at Sandown last start. ANGEL OF LIGHT (19) gave too much start over 2400m at Sandown but will be better suited dropping back to 2000m. DJUKON (1) closed fairly well late over 1800m at Sandown second-up and will be fitter again. THE NEPHEW (14) will give a start from the tough draw but will be running on late.
SUGGESTED BET: Court Deep each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Aristonous $5 – $4.20.
RACE 7: 3:20PM AURIE’S STAR HANDICAP (1200m)
DANCE TO DUBAI (8) impressed with her last-start win down the straight and drops to 54kg. HERE TO SHOCK (3) might want a bit further but he’s talented and can go well fresh. CAUSE FOR CONCERN (11) is a developing type that won’t be far away. IT’SOURTIME (4) was another that performed well in the Bletchingly Stakes and races well down the straight.
SUGGESTED BET: Dance To Dubai each-way
TAB MARKET MOVER: Cause For Concern $4.60 – $4.20.
RACE 8: 3:55PM VRC LIONEL MOSS TROPHY (1620m)
ARRAN BAY (2) usually holds form once he finds it and finished off well to score at Caulfield second-up so will be fitter again here. PRESSER (14) was a dominant winner again at Sandown and should measure up to this. FRENCH EMPEROR (6) can improve on his fair effort at Caulfield last start and will be suited dropping in trip. VITRUVIUS (8) was solid again at Caulfield and will be fitter for three runs back.
SUGGESTED BET: Arran Bay each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Brayden Star $4.40 – $3.50.
RACE 9: 4:30PM VRC MEMBER DENNIS FOLEY SPRINT (1410m)
Another tricky race with some talented types resuming. CARLISLE (11) is one of those resuming at odds but he scored first-up last time in and has drawn to have every chance with 52kg on his back. POLAND (9) will be fitter for two runs back and his on-pace racing style will help. NICOLINI VITO (5) drops in class after a good effort in the Bletchingly Stakes and is a chance despite the draw. REGARDSMAREE (7) also ran well in the Bletchingly Stakes and has a good 1400m record.
SUGGESTED BET: Carlisle each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Devoted $10 – $8.
RACE 10: 5:05PM JOCKEYS CELEBRATION SPRINT (1100m)
Not sure about taking odds-on about BENEDETTA (2) winning first-up but she’ll be awfully hard to beat if she reproduces her form of last time in. RANTING (7) was solid when resuming down the straight and he’ll be improved here. JACK OF IT (10) won well under 61.5kg second-up and should measure up to this level. ZAC DE BOSS (1) is better than his last run indicated and could improve on his favourite course.
SUGGESTED BET: Box trifecta 1, 2, 7, 10
TAB MARKET MOVER: Benedetta $2.30 – $1.85.
Originally published as Jason Warren-trained Gawnski the best bet of Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap meeting at Flemington
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