Melbourne: Comprehensive preview of every race at Flemington

A COMPREHENSIVE preview of every race for Saturday’s meet at Flemington with Ray Hickson

Master of Arts (left). Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

NOTE: Numbers in brackets are the official handicap ratings for each horse. Track rated Heavy 8 at time of writing, expecting some improvement into soft.

RACE 1

It was hard to miss 1. JERILDERIE LETTER (78) last week at Caulfield and it’s fair to say he should have won. Only rises 2kg here and that is offset with Steven Arnold’s booking, the mile is even better for him and he’s drawn perfectly to be no worse than midfield. Hard to go past on what we saw a week ago. 9. GALAXY RAIDER (63) comes through the main lead up race and he was the big eye-catcher charging through late into fourth over this course. Just ahead of him was Hursley, who won last week, and he looks a bit dangerous. 2. WAR LEGEND (73) didn’t have the best of runs in the same race when he finished fifth and is worth forgiving. He never appeared settled and wound up in a tricky spot when the field bunched up. Beaten less than two lengths is no disgrace. Dominant before that and can lift. 3. HAND FROM ABOVE (72) brings a completely different form line from a midweek win in Sydney with 61.5kg. He doesn’t often run a bad race but his form has been a bit patchy this time in. Have to respect his presence. No real knock on 5. LADY SELKIRK (70), who won the Flemington race two weeks ago, but it was a strangely run event.

RACE 2

After a bit of debate I’ve gone with 2. DANIELA ROSA (71) who resumed with a popular win at Sale in trying conditions and looks ready to tackle 1600m again. I liked the way she ran through the line last start and she has some tactical ability in a race that looks to have few winning chances. Go well. 1. EURO ANGEL (72) was obviously very impressive when she resumed over 1400m here a month ago, storming down the outside for an easy win. On face value she’ll take some beating though I came up with a few negatives that worry me. She’s up 7kg and I didn’t like her jump out on Friday, same heat as Daniela Rosa who ran second, where she wanted to over race and didn’t look to have good experience just behind the placings. Logical danger despite that. 3. PAYROLL (71) is back against the fillies after an even effort behind Lady Selkirk two weeks ago. She was placed behind Euro Angel before that, finishing off fairly well, and if she can reproduce the effort she’s in the mix. 6. AVENUE WHISPER (63) was quite disappointing back to restricted company at Sandown recently considering she stuck on gamely to run second behind Euro Angel prior to that. Had done nothing wrong previously so she could bounce back to form.

RACE 3

I’m prepared to give 5. NESBO (78) another chance here in a race that really is up for grabs. He was outstanding in the heavy at Sandown first-up easily beating a subsequent winner. He went to that Moonee Valley track a few weeks ago and had no hope at all the way the race was run and how the track played. The 60kg didn’t help either. Still to prove himself at 2000m but he has run some handy races over the trip and with 54kg in a race that should have a bit of tempo gives him every chance. 4. MAGIC CONSOL (81) has only had one go at 2000m and finished close up so if he can run it out here he’ll be right in the finish. Battled on quite well two weeks ago over the mile and will be up there somewhere for a long way. 1. KILLARNEY KID (90) has raced consistently since joining Darren Weir and is a little better off at the weights here compared to his last run at Edenhope. Placed in a much better race two starts ago over this course and has to be included. 3. SANDHILL CHIEF (84) won the Edenhope event in typical all the way style and he’ll be the leader again here. Battled on okay behind Longeron at the Valley where he had his chance but he’ll give a sight as usual.

RACE 4

Because 2. TRENCHANT (67) went around at double figure odds here two weeks ago and romped in I looked for reasons to doubt him here and ultimately couldn’t come up with any. It’s basically the same field and he sat wide and was racing away from them in the last 200m. So he has an outside gate again and goes up 5kg but there’s no reason to think he won’t be too good again. Price won’t be as generous this time. 6. FAST ‘N’ ROLLING (63) was also big odds in that race and I thought he kept coming in the manner of a horse that won’t have trouble with a mile. On that he has to be considered. 5. COBBMORE (63) wound up pretty well at the end of the same race to finish fifth and he should also run out the extra trip strongly. Has been slowly away in his two starts so far which is a bit of a concern. 3. CLIFF HANGER (65) had his chance for mine behind Trenchant after enjoying a nice run in transit. Should again have a good passage here and the wet track gives him some hope of improving.

RACE 5

3. VOODOO LAD (89) is impossible to go past, he just never runs a bad race and that’s not likely to change here. Probably suffered second-up syndrome in Adelaide but was always in control at the Valley last time easily beating a subsequent winner in Duke Of Brunswick. Drawn to be in the right part of the track, well weighted and clearly on top. 6. MAGNUS REIGN (85) finished a few lengths behind Voodoo Lad at the Valley but it was a promising second-up effort given he was well back in the run and you had to be on the bunny that day. His straight track form is solid and should run well. 8. KIEVANN (84) comes out of the same race with an on pace third and on face value probably can’t turn the tables. But he is always competitive and will be up on the speed here again and punching away. 2. ALBERTO MAGIC (96) disappointed last start after a handy first run for Mick Price a month ago. He does relish wet tracks so if it stays in the heavy range it will help his cause. May have drawn the wrong side but if not he’s capable of improvement. 1. RELDAS (98) and 10. RUETTIGER (78) aren’t out of it either.

Odyssey Moon (blue hood). Picture: Michael Klein.

RACE 6

Despite jumping off him last time I don’t see why 2. MASTER OF ARTS (94) couldn’t win again. He was strong at the end of the 2520m here two weeks ago and while he rises 3.5kg Brad Rawiller compensates for some of that hike and there really are only three realistic winning hopes from what I can see. He’s genuine and will be hard to beat. 3. ARALDO JUNIOR (93) had an absolute picnic in front as he romped in a month ago with 52kg. So he has to carry 7.5kg more and he’s unlikely to be given such a gift in the lead this time around. But it was easily his best performance in Australia and has to be regarded as a threat. 1. BOLD SNIPER (94) looked to have his chance behind Master Of Arts last time but he showed what he can do at Sandown two starts back when he beat that horse comfortably. Needs to settle in his races and if he does that then he’s obviously capable. Couldn’t see anything else winning but look for another good run from 7. WELLS (75) who made plenty of ground at 100/1 to run third behind Master Of Arts two weeks ago as he continues to prepare for the big jumps races coming up.

RACE 7

Looks a very good Winter Championship this year. 3. CHANCE TO DANCE (99) would have to have been set for this race given his presence in the winter months and his two runs back have also suggested it. Massive run first-up over 1400m in late May then made good ground at Moonee Valley from back and wide where it was impossible to get into the finish. Drawn to be midfield here in a race that will have some speed early for sure and he will be strong at the business end. 10. BY THE GRACE (89) is also shaping up very well with improved efforts at each run back, the latest a close second here at 1400m two weeks ago. He probably doesn’t want it too heavy, though it’s unlikely to be, and he is going better this year than he was in 2015 when beaten 1.4 lengths in this race. Good chance. 1. JACQUINOT BAY (104) managed to hold off By The Grace last time out to make it two wins from as many starts this time in. He’s a very game on pace horse who could slot in just behind Kenjorwood and Onpicalo and that would give him every hope. 13. DEL PRADO (86) was a beaten favourite in the same race after somehow managing to be exposed three deep in a six horse field. He’s much better with cover and if he’s buried back in the field until late he can produce a big finish. Of course there are other chances.

RACE 8

1. ODYSSEY MOON (91) stands head and shoulders above these on rating at least having proved too good for the older horses here two weeks ago. He’s well weighted considering that rating and drawn out which will be the place by this stage you’d be pretty sure and 1200m is perfect. Hard to go past him. 2. PRINCE OF BROOKLYN (75) was absolutely charging on the line when he resumed to be beaten a pimple at Moonee Valley in a very promising return considering how disappointing he was in two runs last prep. Has the talent and while he is shockingly weighted he has to be considered the danger. 6. LORD VON COSTA (67) has proven himself up to this sort of company with a gallant second behind Spieth, who would have no doubt been favourite for this race, a couple of weeks ago. He does have a habit of finding one better but he’s hard to leave out. 4. SOOBOOG (79) is hard to catch, to say the least, but the ability is there if he decides to use it. Was given a good solid test in winning a trial recently and he has drawn out with Odyssey Moon so he’s worth throwing in the multiples at least. 12. I BOOGI (61) is worth a mention only to say keep an eye on him. He’s shown a heap of promise and obviously the stable thinks he’s handy otherwise he’d be in a maiden somewhere and romping home. Scratched at the barrier from a lead up race recently and has trialled well since. Poorly placed and not suited with gate one but it wouldn’t surprise me if he featured at odds.

RACE 9

4. FORGERESS (85) appeared the best placed in what will be a competitive finish to a great program (and one that should be shamelessly copied in Sydney in the winter). She raced three and four wide all the way and kept coming at Caulfield last week when back to 1200m. Loves it soft and heavy and 1400m on the limit looks great for her. Take beating. 5. TELOPEA (84) looked to have them cold here a couple of weeks ago but was outclassed by Iggimacool who found her best to win well. She is holding her form this preparation and should perform again. 3. A LOTTA LOVE (87) scored a most deserved win last week and she has to be strongly considered though she is worse off at the weights compared to Forgeress who got very close to her. I’d be surprised if she’s not in the finish again. 2. VIBRANT ROUGE (88) produced a strong late finish to be right on their heels in the same race last week and it is interesting to see her backing up. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to her soft track record as she showed last week she gets through it fine and she’s a bit dangerous here. 1. SHE’S CLEAN (99) is going to have to produce her best to win giving these handy mares plenty of weight but she showed a return to form behind Jacquinot Bay last start so can’t be left out.