Early Oil: Best bets and tips for Champions Stakes day at Flemington

Nature Strip had his colours lowered in The Everest but can bounce back at Flemington and square the ledger with Giga Kick.

Nature Strip (left) goes up against Everest winner Giga Kick (right) in the Champions Sprint at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Saturday’s Champions’ Day meeting at Flemington.

BEST BET

NATURE STRIP (Race 6, No.1)

Beaten but not disgraced in The Everest. However, Nature Strip flies down the straight and can bounce back to square the ledger with Giga Kick on Saturday.

VALUE BET

LUNCIES (Race 4, No.9)

Did it tough out wide throughout in the Geelong Cup and only faded in the last 100m. He can improve sharply with a softer run in the Queen’s Cup.

EARLY QUADDIE

10, 12, 14, 19/2, 3, 14, 15 /2, 5, 9, 11, 13/3, 4, 6, 8

$100 flexi for 31.25 per cent

BIG6

2, 5, 9, 11, 13/3, 4, 6, 8/1, 9, 14/2, 4, 5, 9/1, 7/9, 14

$100 flexi for 10.41 per cent

QUADDIE

Race 6: 1, 9, 14

Race 7: 2, 4, 5, 9

Race 8: 1, 7

Race 9: 5, 6, 7, 9, 14

$100 flexi for 83.33 per cent

RACE 1: 12:40PM TWITTER TROPHY (1600m)

The last day of the carnival starts with a tough contest but FRENCH EMPEROR (14) was impressive with the way he let down to score at Geelong. He’s up a couple of grades but drops 5.5kg. WINNING PARTNER (1) improved quickly to score at The Valley last start and races well over 1600m. WORTHILY (16) was OK behind the smart Uncle Bryn first-up in the autumn and can run well fresh. ELUDING (11) was sound at The Valley and meets Winning Partner 3kg better at the weights.

SUGGESTED BET: French Emperor to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Chicago Bear $8 – $5.50.

RACE 2: 1:15PM AUSTRALIAN CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION TROPHY (2000m)

FLASH FEELING (12) gave a start from an awkward gate but ran on well at Sale second-up and will be fitter for that. He steps up 600m in trip but trainer John Sadler has taken the blinkers off him. ZA’EX (14) enjoyed the 1700m when running on well at Geelong second-up and has a good record over 2000m. WUDDZZ (19) made a good impression at his Australian debut at Geelong and will be fitter. AGNELLI (10) tried hard under 60.5 on wet ground last time but can improve on better footing.

SUGGESTED BET: Flash Feeling each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Look Sharpish $11 – $9.

RACE 3: 1:50PM THE AMANDA ELLIOTT (1400m)

Possibly the hardest race of the day on Saturday with more than half the field with some sort of chance. MAGIC TIME (14) was most impressive on debut on the synthetic and could be even better ridden off the pace as she will be from the wider draw this time. MUMBAI JEWEL (2) has raced well throughout the spring and should go well again. ANGRY SKIES (3) has also drawn wide but has the quality to overcome it. KNIGHTJAR (18) is an improving type that could measure up.

SUGGESTED BET: Magic Time each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Sweetened $15 – $8.

RACE 4: 2:30PM GROUP 3 QUEEN’S CUP (2600m)

Many of these are at the end of long campaigns but happy to have something on LUNCIES (9) to improve after the Kris Lees-trained stayer was caught wide throughout in the Geelong Cup. He went well in the Turnbull Stakes before that and drops to the minimum here. Import SOULCOMBE (11) has solid overseas form and should be respected on debut for Chris Waller. CAPTAIN ENVIOUS (13) is a stayer on the rise and could be the one running on hard late. LUNAR FLARE (5) was scratched from the Melbourne Cup but is a quality mare.

SUGGESTED BET: Luncies each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Soulcombe $2.90 – $2.80.

Sirileo Miss can improve on a firmer surface. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 5: 3:10PM GROUP 2 TAB MATRIARCH STAKES (2000m)

Interesting contest but giving SIRILEO MISS (3) another chance on firmer footing here. She raced on the pace and tried hard at The Valley and was only a length from the winner at Group 1 level at her only 2000m run. ATISHU (4) backs up after a good effort in the Empire Rose Stakes and is a 2000m winner. STEINEM (6) looks to have been aimed at this race and made ground at The Valley second-up. DYNASTIES (8) didn’t have much luck on Melbourne Cup Day and is worth thought.

SUGGESTED BET: Sirileo Miss each-way

TAB MARKET MOVER: Atishu $10 – $5

RACE 6: 3:50PM GROUP 1 DARLEY CHAMPIONS SPRINT (1200m)

Great race but sticking with the reigning champ NATURE STRIP (1). He was strong in The Shorts but worked too hard in The Everest, which left him a sitting duck late. He’s outstanding on the Flemington straight course and should find the best going. GIGA KICK (14) was brilliant in The Everest and should again be the hardest to beat. BELLA NIPOTINA (9) easily won the Manikato Stakes and races well down the straight. ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (11) is racing well without winning and should go in multiples.

SUGGESTED BET: Nature Strip to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Nature Strip $2.10 – $1.95.

RACE 7: 4:30PM GROUP 1 KENNEDY CHAMPIONS MILE (1600m)

Tough inaugural edition of the Champions Mile but going with the improver MY OBERON (9), who was a dominant winner in easier company at The Valley but will be much fitter for that effort and blinkers go on. PRIVATE EYE (2) has emerged as one the best gallopers in Australia this time in and should go well again stepping up in distance. ALLIGATOR BLOOD (4) was brave in the Cox Plate and will give another big sight dropping in distance. MR BRIGHTSIDE (5) is also dropping back from the Cox Plate but is a Group 1 winner over 1600m.

SUGGESTED BET: My Oberon to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: My Oberon $6 – $4.40.

RACE 8: 5:10PM GROUP 1 TAB CHAMPIONS STAKES (2000m)

Another cracking contest is likely here but ANAMOE (7) has met every challenge thrown his way this spring and has one more big performance left in him. I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (1) almost rolled Anamoe in the Cox Plate and races well at Flemington. ZAAKI (2) won this race last year and should be in the firing line for a long way from barrier one. MO’UNGA (3) was solid in the Cox Plate and will improve on firmer ground.

SUGGESTED BET: Anamoe to win/ Box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 4, 7.

TAB MARKET MOVER: I’m Thunderstruck $4.60 – $4.

Najem Suhail showed his true ability in his win at Sale. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 9: 5:50PM WORLD HORSE RACING GRAND HANDICAP (1100m)

The Melbourne Cup Carnival finishes with a wide open contest but NAJEM SUHAIL (9) looked terrific when finally racing up to his jumpout form at Sale and he can go on with it down the outside rail in the last. HYPOTHETICAL (14) was a good winner at Geelong first-up and will be fitter. TAUNTING (6) was a touch unlucky at The Valley fresh but races best at 1100m. FINE DANE (5) is honest and should be thereabouts.

SUGGESTED BET: Najem Suhail to win

TAB MARKET MOVER: Najem Suhail $11 – $7.