Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Australian Cup day at Flemington

Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and detailed quaddie selections for the Australian Cup meeting at Flemington.

Herald Sun form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his four-play $200 betting strategy and detailed quaddie selections for the Australian Cup meeting at Flemington.

FOUR-PLAY

RACE 3: OPEN MILE (1600m)

$25 each-way EL SOLEADO (9) $5.50/1.95

Tested in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes last month at Caulfield and far from disgraced, led up the field and tired late to run fifth, beaten 3¼ lengths. Raced at Flemington three times the past five starts for two hard-fought wins and a third. Back to 1600m a slight query after racing over 1800m, 2000m and 1800m the past three starts. Should get every chance in an open race from the kind draw.

Campionessa JUST holds onto the Peter Young Stakes! 🤏

What a return from the Cup winners Vow And Declare & Gold Trip. @TeAkauRacingpic.twitter.com/crxcKbprVf

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 24, 2024

RACE 5: LISTED ATA/BOB HOYSTED HANDICAP (1000m)

$50 win KATSU (6) at $4.80

A great price for a proven first-up flyer. Katsu has won three of four starts fresh. Put a space on favourite WHAT YOU NEED (7) in a recent Cranbourne trial and expect more of the same on Saturday. What You Need would blow the doors off these but unfortunately the Group 1 colt-in-waiting is unlikely to live up to the potential after wind surgery. Katsu defeated NAJEM SUHAIL (4) first-up last campaign down the Flemington straight.

RACE 7: LISTED SUNLIGHT CLASSIC (1100m)

$50 win ESTRIELLA (13) at $3.10

Very smart filly with a breathtaking turn of foot. Sat off them and bolted in at Caulfield first-up then led and won comfortably at Flemington last start. Cannot fault and should be winning again with even luck. Respect I AM UNSTOPPABLE (2), runner-up in three of four starts at Flemington including the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring. Failed to fire a shot last start in the Lightning Stakes – can atone here but prefer to watch and back the filly in form.

RACE 8: GROUP 1 AUSTRALIAN CUP (2000m)

$50 win MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) at $2.40

Put in a massive run last start in the All-Star Mile and lost no admirers whatsoever when second behind PRIDE OF JENNI (7), expect the pair to fight out the finish again but Mr Brightside has an edge at 2000m. Beaten a hair in the Cox Plate last year but a genuine and world class champion in Romantic Warrior. Wary of reigning Australian Cup winner CASCADIAN (2) and Kiwi star LEGARTO (9), but Mr B should be too good.

PRIDE OF JENNI RAN THEM OFF THEIR FEET!!!@decbates took her gate-to-wire in the $3,750,000 All-Star Mile at Caulfield. @cmaherracing trained the 6-year-old Pride Of Dubai (@CoolmoreAus) mare! Congrats to the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CfqSLmVkJn

— TVG (@TVG) March 16, 2024

QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 7

ESTRIELLA (13) the clear top pick and hat-trick contender. Showed great versatility to win the past two starts and no reason why she cannot go back to the well. I AM UNSTOPPABLE (2) has the right credentials to challenge, runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes down the straight last spring, but failed to fire a shot in the Lightning Stakes. Must include albeit happy not to bet straight out. ARKANSAW KID (1) and HANCHI (5) next best.

1ST LEG: 1, 2, 5, 13

Estriella takes out the $1 million Inglis Sprint! 💥@cmaherracing@blake_shinn@inglis_salespic.twitter.com/GAQlIc7tTr

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 2, 2024

LEG 2 – RACE 8

MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) to bounce back against PRIDE OF JENNI (7) at 2000m. Must respect the confidence the Ciaron Maher stable has in Pride Of Jenni to run out a strong 2000m. Could entertain just the two of them in this leg, however, want a saver on LEGARTO (9) and the old warrior VOW AND DECLARE (3), if they go too hard in front he’ll be finishing like a train. Definite trifecta hope.

2ND LEG: 1, 3, 7, 9

LEG 3 – RACE 9

DUNKEL (3) put in a shocker last start but happy to forgive one blemish. Drawn low and this has been the target all along. The four-year-old, along with New Zealand import MARK TWAIN (13), is the ideal progressive stayer to win the Roy Higgins and qualify for the Melbourne Cup. MANKAYAN (7) loves a second place, been runner-up three of the past four starts, and should be right in the money again.

3RD LEG: 3, 7, 13

LEG 4 – RACE 10

RHEINBERG (2) tried hard with a big weight in a small field last start and was only just touched off. Better second-up and gets weight relief with apprentice Celine Gaudray aboard. EUPHORIC (7) is undefeated first-up – three for three – and must be respected. Harder here and drawn wide, but a definite winning chance. FORTUNATE KISS (8) another drawn poorly but racing well.

4TH LEG: 2, 7, 8

COST $100 FOR 69%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with I AM UNSTOPPABLE (2) and ESTRIELLA (13). In the second leg take MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) and LEGARTO (9). Then in the third leg take DUNKEL (3), MARK TWAIN (13) and MANKAYAN (7). Come home with RHEINBERG (2) and EUPHORIC (7).

1ST LEG: 2, 13

2ND LEG: 1, 9

3RD LEG: 3, 7, 13

4TH LEG: 2, 7

COST $100 FOR 416%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Australian Cup day at Flemington