Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Flemington on Saturday

Gilbert Gardiner is keen on three runners at an each-way price at Flemington on Saturday, while punters can also bank on a first-up specialist priced at $2.50.

Gilbert Gardiner is keen on three runners at an each-way price at Flemington on Saturday, while punters can also bank on a first-up specialist priced at $2.50.

Here is Gilbert’s $200 betting strategy for the nine-race card.

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FLEMINGTON FOUR-PLAY

RACE 1: THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 70 (1410m)
$25 each-way STOLEN KISS (9) at $6.50/$2
Three-start maiden, placed fourth on each occasion, but raced well with limited success. Nicely drawn to get an economical run on Saturday and should be strong late. Last start in the Group 3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) posted three wide without cover on a Heavy deck and stuck to the task boldly. Mindful of favourite DETROIT CITY (1), a dominant maiden winner.

RACE 4: BENCHMARK 84 (1100m)
$50 win MIDTOWN BOSS (3) at $2.50
First-up, Flemington, 1100m – yes please! Midtown Boss bolted in fresh last campaign at Headquarters by 2.5 lengths from subsequent Group 1-placed Mornington Glory. The Matt Laurie-trained Midtown Boss has won two of four starts at Flemington and placed twice. Looks poised to build on a strong fresh record (4: 2-0-1) after bowling up under own steam to win a 900m Mornington jumpout last month.

RACE 6: GROUP 3 AURIE’S STAR HANDICAP (1200m)
$25 each-way IT’SOURTIME (2) at $6.50/2.10
Strong win last start in the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final and no reason why he cannot go back-to-back in the Aurie’s Star Handicap on Saturday at Flemington. It’sourtime has 57.5kg – 2kg more than last year – but looks to be going as good, if not better 12 months on. It’sourtime has won four of 17 starts at Flemington and placed six times – should be right in the finish again.

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 78 (2000m)
$25 each-way MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (13) at $8.50/$2.70
Doesn’t win out of turn – two from 22 – but placed six times including three at Flemington. Drawn awkwardly for a backmarker in barrier two but the five-year-old gelding, trained by Stephen Brown, has been racing in great heart and deserves another win. Runner-up in two of the past three starts. Mindful of LAUDING (3), should be a sharp improver after being caught too far back first-up in a muddling run race at Caulfield.

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FLEMINGTON QUADZILLA

LEG 1, RACE 6
RIGHT TO PARTY (8) has earned a shot in Group 3 company with a pair of impressive wins at Flemington, including the Listed Creswick Stakes. Marble Nine, the horse she beat two starts back, franked the form with a good third placing in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes last week. IT’SOURTIME (2) chasing back-to-back Aurie’s Stars and should not be overlooked, along with 2021 winner THE ASTROLOGIST (3). Include LA DANSEUSE ROUGE (7).
1ST LEG 2, 3, 7, 8

LEG 2, RACE 7
LAUDING (3) open to big improvement after a luckless first-up run at Caulfield behind a sluggish tempo. Drawn to be prominent on Saturday and could figure late. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (13) has been runner-up in two of the past three starts and placed multiple times at Flemington previously. Favourite STAR VEGA (11) next best, along with imported TAJANIS (14) second-up after a pipe opener at Sandown last month.
2ND LEG 2, 11, 13, 14

LEG 3, RACE 8
ST LAWRENCE (7) has been bursting to win a race and gets his chance from a kind draw and with Jamie Kah aboard. Good effort last start third behind ASTERO (3), ridden a treat on speed to win by a big margin under Blake Shinn. Harder here but must be respected coming off a five-length romp. GENTLEMAN ROY (1) should be up on speed again and hard to overhaul in the straight. Could talented galloper HOLYMANZ (2) show up fresh? Has won two of three first-up and proven at Flemington.
3RD LEG 1, 2, 3, 7

LEG 4, RACE 9
KIKO (8) kicked back to win last start and the runner-up Ithadtobezou franked the form with a victory of her own since. Should get another good form reference early on the card at Flemington with Ithadtobezou fancied in Race 3. BEWS (2) charged late last start in Adelaide but ran out of runway to get the job done. Watch for the lightly-raced sprinter late. Include CHESTER WARRIOR (7) at odds. The Lindsay Park galloper has won and placed at Flemington previously.
FOURTH LEG 2, 4, 7, 8

FLEMINGTON QUADDIE
Race 6: 2, 3, 7, 8
Race 7: 2, 11, 13, 14
Race 8: 1, 2, 3, 7
Race 9: 2, 4, 8
COST $100 FOR 52%

SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with IT’SOURTIME (2), THE ASTROLOGIST (3) and RIGHT TO PARTY (8). In the second leg take LAUDING (3), MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (13) and TAJANIS (14). Then in the third leg take GENTLEMAN ROY (1), HOLYMANZ (2) and ST LAWRENCE (7). Come home with BEWS (2), FISSION (4) and KIKO (8).

FLEMINGTON SKINNY QUADDIE
Race 6: 2, 3, 8
Race 7: 3, 13, 14
Race 8: 1, 2, 7
Race 9: 2, 4, 8
COST $100 FOR 123%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Flemington on Saturday