Matthew Williams-trained Flying Fizz the best bet of Saturday’s Flemington races

A fast-finishing first-up effort could propel a Warrnambool-trained mare to victory while a Ciaron Maher-trained import can improve sharply to win Saturday’s $500,000 Andrew Ramsden at Flemington.

Racenet and Herald Sun form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

BEST BET

FLYING FIZZ (Race 4, No. 8)

Resumed with an excellent effort against the bias at Warrnambool and will be much fitter for that. She’ll be hard to beat from the perfect draw.

VALUE BET

AWAPUNI PRINCESS (Race 3, No. 3)

Awapuni Princess jumped out well before scoring at odds at Caulfield first-up. Expecting her to run another bold race at Flemington.

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 2, 3, 4, 8
Race 4: 2, 6, 8, 9
Race 5: 9, 11, 13, 18
Race 6: 1, 5, 6, 13
$100 flexi for 39 per cent

BIG 6
Race 5: 9, 11, 13, 18
Race 6: 1, 5, 13
Race 7: 5, 6, 11, 16
Race 8: 3, 6, 9, 12
Race 9: 2, 12, 15
Race 10: 1, 10, 11
$100 flexi for 5.8 per cent

QUADDIE
Race 7: 5, 6, 11, 16
Race 8: 3, 6, 9, 12
Race 9: 2, 9, 12, 15
Race 10: 1, 10, 11
$100 flexi for 52 per cent

Trainer Danny O’Brien can start Saturday’s Flemington meeting on a winning note with Lario in the opening race of the day. Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 1: 11:35AM SIR EUGENE GORMAN HANDICAP (1400m)
Tricky 2YO race to start the day LARIO (8) showed ability when narrowly beaten on debut and he has performed well at the jumpouts. SNEAKY SUNRISE (10) was unlucky here on Anzac Day and can continue to improve. HOT TOO GO (13) ran on well late at Caulfield last time and will be better for that. SNACK BAR (1) is consistent and should perform well again.
SUGGESTED BET: Lario to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Lario $11 – $5.50.

RACE 2: 12:00PM MURRAY COX HANDICAP (1800m)
Not a race to be too keen on any runner but CLAIM THE CROWN (10) could improve dropping back in trip for this and his form before his last run was consistent. MIRZANN (11) made a solid Australian debut at Caulfield and can go on with it. FOUJITA SAN (2) needs pace on but he’s a handy galloper on his day. EUPHORIC (6) drops in class and distance but has blinkers for the first time.
SUGGESTED BET: Small each-way Claim The Crown.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Mirzann $4.20 – $2.80.

RACE 3: 12:30PM INSIDE HEADQUARTERS (1200m)
AWAPUNI PRINCESS (3) surprised punters with her first-up win but there was no fluke about her Caulfield success. She’ll run well again. PUKETIRO (2) had no luck at Mornington at her Australian debut and will be improved. WAKANJEJA (8) closed soundly when resuming and is worth thought again. BELSIELLE (4) is never far away at this level.
SUGGESTED BET: Awapuni Princess each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Prairie Flower $13 – $8.

Awapuni Princess will be fitter for her first-up win at good odds when she heads to Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 4: 1:05PM K.A MORRISON HANDICAP (1400m)
Happy to back FLYING FIZZ (8) to improve on her excellent first-up run where she charged home after drawing poorly on a tough track. EUGENIUS (6) wasn’t far away at Caulfield and ran fourth in a Group 3 race at Flemington in the spring. GALLANT PRINCE (9) was nabbed on the line and Sandown and will be in this for a long way. MODOWN (2) is racing well and must be respected again.
SUGGESTED BET: Flying Fizz to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Flying Fizz $12 – $6.

RACE 5: 1:40PM STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS (1100m)
One of the harder races of the day but SISTERHOOD (11) won well first-up last time in and has jumped out well leading up to this. DON’T HOPE DO (9) takes on the older horses but he was up to Group 3 level in the spring. SIOUX SPIRIT (18) was a dominant winner on debut and can handle the rise in class. WHITE BEAR (13) gave a good sight at Caulfield and should do so again.
SUGGESTED BET: Sisterhood to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Losesomewinmore $6.50 – $4.80.

RACE 6: 2:15PM SIR BOLTE HANDICAP (2000m)
Handy field of three-year-olds engaged but AZTEC STATE (1) made a long run at Caulfield and will be better at his second 2000m run. ALA MOANA (13) caught the eye when resuming and looks a natural stayer. COTTON TREE (6) rises sharply in class but his win at Warrnambool was solid. NAVY KING (5) is racing well and has again drawn to have every chance.
SUGGESTED BET: Aztec State to win with something the place Ala Moana.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Cotton Tree $12 – $8.50.

Developing three-year-old Aztec State will chase a second straight win over 2000m at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 7: 2:50PM HILTON NICHOLAS STRAIGHT SIX (1200m)
This is the toughest race of the day but WHO DARES (16) could go around over the odds after his strong first-up win at Caulfield and the outside section might be the place to be down the straight. PINTOFF (5) will improve on his first-up run at Mornington. STEPARTY (6) is a classy colt that will be hard to hold out fresh. NICOLINI VITO (11) has produced two good runs this time in and will be fitter.
SUGGESTED BET: Who Dares each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Hard To Say $15 – $8.50.

RACE 8: 3:30PM LEXUS ANDREW RAMSDEN (2800m)
A Melbourne Cup start is on the line for the winner. LIONEL (9) closed well on the unsuitable Mornington track at his local debut and should handle the rise in trip. MOSTLY CLOUDY (6) is consistent and will find this easier than the Sydney Cup. EXCELLERATION (3) won the Adelaide Cup at his last start and is worth thought despite the little fitness query. THE MAP (12) is going well in SA and could measure up.
SUGGESTED BET: Box quinella 3, 6, 9, 12.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Let’sbefrankbaby $17 – $9.50.

RACE 9: 4:10PM THOROUGHBRED CLUB AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (2000m)
Hoping the track stays at its current soft (5) rating to give GREEN FLY (15) a chance to repeat his terrific last start win at Warrnambool. MR MAESTRO (12) has drawn awkwardly but might be ready to fire after two runs this time in. EL SOLEADO (2) is racing in great heart and should again be thereabouts. MAKTOOB (9) closed well at Caulfield last week and drops in weight for this.
SUGGESTED BET: Green Fly & Mr Maestro to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: El Soleado $9 – $7.

RACE 10: 4:43PM TREVOR CLARKE HANDICAP (1100m)
SHESALLSHENANIGANS (1) is a stakes winner down the straight and isn’t in badly at the weights here after Ryan Houston’s claim. UNCONQUERABLE (11) impressed with her debut win in the summer and has trialled well. ICARUS (10) was a strong debut winner and could measure up. WALLENDA (4) was consistent last time in and is worth including fresh.
SUGGESTED BET: She’sallshenanigans to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: She’sallshenanigans $9 – $5.

Originally published as Matthew Williams-trained Flying Fizz the best bet of Saturday’s Flemington races