Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Flemington

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Flemington on Saturday.

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Flemington meeting on Saturday.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 2: 2YO HANDICAP (1400m)

$50 win HIGHVOL (1) at $2.70

Solid win on debut at Flemington in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) and would only need to hold that form to go back-to-back. The two-year-old Microphone gelding, purchased for $100,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year, has already paid his way. Should only be improved from the experience last start. Respect the Lindsay Park pair WARRIOR SMILE (2) and THE OPPORTUNIST (3).

RACE 5: 3YO OPEN HANDICAP (2000m)

$25 each way SOMEWHERE (2) at $7/$2.40

Tracked the speed last start in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1600m) and stuck to the task late to hold third position. Solid performance first-up also in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m), placed fifth but not beaten far. The 2000m third-up looks ideal for the Puissance De Lune three-year-old gelding but needs an ounce of luck from the wide draw to settle within striking distance in the run.

RACE 6: LISTED STRAIGHT SIX (1200m)

$50 win KING ZEPHYR (11) at $2.25

Earned a shot at stakes’ company after four strong wins on the trot in benchmark grades. With the threat of rain about, the middle draw should afford jockey Jordan Childs every opportunity to find the best ground and straight racing could suit King Zephyr, a four-year-old gelding that likes to be coiled up to launch late. RUNNING BY (3) has won and placed at Flemington previously – must respect. MARBLE NINE (8) not without a chance either after a solid effort on heavy ground at Warrnambool last start.

RACE 7: LISTED ANDREW RAMSDEN STAKES (2800m)

$25 each way BERKSHIRE BREEZE (12) at $5.50/$2.20

Not won for a while but thrust in the deeper end of the pool last spring – ahead of his time really – and raced consistently this time in. Waged war with in-form stayer Deakin two starts back in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) and peaked on the run. Four runs under the belt now and back to Flemington a plus. Gets the chance here to streamline spring ambitions with a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 6

KING ZEPHYR (11) has a bit more upside than most of these and while it is only his first go in stakes grade and straight racing should be up to the task. In astute hands and could not have been any more impressive winning four on the trot. RUNNING BY (3) looks a genuine threat first-up along with the consistent and race fit MARBLE NINE (8). Include the enigmatic CROSSHAVEN (7).

1ST LEG: 3, 7, 8, 11

LEG 2 – RACE 7

BERKSHIRE BREEZE (12) should only need to hold form and replicate the run at Flemington two starts back to go mighty close to winning this Melbourne Cup qualifier. Drawn wide but all the leading chances are out there too. ATHABASCAN (3) placed fifth last start in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m). A worthy favourite here. Include BASILINNA (17) and the lightly-raced ALMA RISE (18).

2ND LEG: 3, 12, 17, 18

LEG 3 – RACE 8

EL ROCKO (13) needs the rain to hit to be truly effective but racing in great heart and should be hard to hold out regardless. CHORLTON LANE (1) is always around the mark and expect more of the same here. SEONEE (7) third-up at Flemington with a bit of cut in the ground could be a recipe for success. The six-year-old has won two of three starts at Headquarters. VERDAD (9) has won two of his past three but unplaced in two starts on rain-affected tracks.

3RD LEG: 1, 7, 9, 13

LEG 4 – RACE 9

LIBERAMI (17) notched a deserved win last start at Sandown having placed four of his five preceding starts. The four-year-old gelding has won at Flemington previously and looks well-placed to build on the record. MAGARTEN (10) hit the line strongly last start in Sydney to place third and would only need to hold that form to be competitive again. Banking on a bit of rain late, so include ARQANA (16) to run a cheeky race.

4TH LEG: 7, 10, 16, 17

COST $100 FOR 52%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with RUNNING BY (3) and KING ZEPHYR (11). In the second leg take ATHABASCAN (3), BERKSHIRE BREEZE (12) and ALMA RISE (18). Then in the third leg take CHORLTON LANE (1), SEONEE (7) and EL ROCKO (13). Come home with MAGARTEN (10), ARQANA (16) and LIBERAMI (17)

1ST LEG: 3, 11

2ND LEG: 3, 12, 18

3RD LEG: 1, 7, 13

4TH LEG: 10, 16, 17

COST $100 FOR 185%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Flemington