Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Newmarket Handicap meeting at Flemington

Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and detailed quaddie selections for the Newmarket Handicap meeting at Flemington.

Grinzinger Belle led all the way to win The Vanity last start. Can he repeat the effort in the Kewney Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Herald Sun form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his four-play $200 betting strategy and detailed quaddie selections for the Newmarket Handicap meeting at Flemington on Saturday.

FOUR-PLAY

RACE 3: 3YO QUALITY (1400m)

$25 each-way LEGACIES (3) $6/$2.30

Lucky it is not a quaddie leg as could make a case for eight or 10 of these to get up and win. The price for Legacies, a $6 favourite with TAB, reflects the nature of the race. That aside, the Justify filly should appreciate a big drop in class on Saturday after living in Group and Listed grade the past five starts. Finished midfield last start, beaten three lengths in the Group 3 Zedative Stakes (1200). Suited up to 1400m and jockey Blake Shinn booked to ride.

Raikoke too strong in front! 😤

The rail is hot today at Caulfield... 🔥@[e-mail]/mWWknnlCIH

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 24, 2024

RACE 5: GROUP 1 NEWMARKET HANDICAP (1200m)

$50 win IMPERATRIZ (1) at $2.50

The champion mare has earned the weight she must give to quality gallopers, including BUENOS NOCHES (3), MAGIC TIME (6), CYLINDER (14) and BELLA NIPOTINA (2), having won nine Group 1s including four on the trot. Sat on speed last start in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and overpowered Private Eye to win at Flemington. No obvious leader here so could the champion take it up? Lightweight Cylinder could be up in the firing line but respect Imperatriz’s will to win.

RACE 6: GROUP 2 KEWNEY STAKES (1600m)

$25 each-way GRINZINGER BELLE (4) at $4.60/$1.85

Jump, lead, dictate and win? Proved a successful formula last start in the Group 3 The Vanity at Flemington and no reason why the Danny O’Brien-trained filly cannot go back to the well again. Into her right price now as a justifiable second favourite after being as high as $7 earlier in the week. Wide draw the only knock but has the luxury of Melbourne’s leading jockey Damian Lane to navigate a path to victory. Respect AUTUMN ANGEL (5) and MOLLYNICKERS (6).

Grinzinger Belle streets clear in the Vanity! 💥

Double at Flemington today for Damian Lane. 🤝@[e-mail]/N4JBfq6Ta6

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 17, 2024

RACE 8: GROUP 3 MATRON STAKES (1600m)

$25 each-way BELLE SAVOIR (7) at $17/$3.80

No knock on the top few in the market, including FOXY FRIDA (1) and UNUSUAL CULTURE (3), but loved the way Belle Savoir has finished off her races the past two starts in Benchmark grade. Has a big rise in class to take but the Group 2-placed Not A Single Doubt mare should be ready for a peak performance on Saturday. Jockey Luke Currie has ridden the mare the past three starts and stuck fat. Belle Savoir has gone almost two years without another win but placed in six of her past 11 starts.

QUADZILLA

LEG 1 - RACE 5

IMPERATRIZ (1) has been airborne the past 12 months and clearly the horse to beat. Tricky set up on Saturday, with hot weather and giving weight to tough opposition, but the nine-time Group 1 winner has the class to prevail. BUENOS NOCHES (3) the main danger, got within half a length of Imperatriz last spring in the Champions Sprint. CYLINDER (14) second-up with a light weight and white hot in-form Jamie Kah aboard must be included. History against MAGIC TIME (6), hard to win Newmarket’s first-up, but respect the ambitious placement.

1ST LEG: 1, 3, 6, 14

Imperatriz stole the show at Flemington today winning the Black Caviar Lightning. pic.twitter.com/hmt6ZuVXnm

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) February 17, 2024

LEG 2 - RACE 6

AUTUMN ANGEL (5) and MOLLYNICKERS (6) get the drop on GRINZINGER BELLE (4) in the run and could finish over the top of the likely leader, likely to face a stiff northerly wind on Saturday. Autumn Angel had no luck last start, stuck behind a wall of horses. Should look the winner at some stage in the straight, whether she can hold on fitness wise second-up and short of best distance. PINK CHANDON (10) got too far back last start and cluttered up in the run to the line, up to 1600m suits but needs luck from the wide draw.

2ND LEG: 4, 5, 6, 10

LEG 3 - RACE 7

AMENABLE (3) is short enough in the market but won first-up last campaign and has two solid jumpout wins under the belt. Resumes as a gelding and by all reports has thrived with the ultimate gear change. Well-credentialed import BERKSHIRE SHADOW (1) received strong market support – $15 into $4 – ahead of his Australian debut. Easiest race PINSTRIPED (2) has contested for quite some time and Group 2 winner does perform well fresh. Runner-up to Mr Brightside first-up last campaign.

3RD LEG: 1, 2, 3

LEG 4 - RACE 8

FOXY FRIDA (1) is the class mare in the field and hardest to beat should she take her place. ETERNAL FLAME (10) has been around the mark the past four starts, bolted in second-up then luckless at Flemington when fifth behind Revolutionary Miss after striking traffic in the straight. Thought she had every chance at Caulfield last start, fourth beaten 2¼ lengths. Damian Lane back aboard a big tick. UNUSUAL CULTURE (3) should be in the finish somewhere, along with BELLE SAVOIR (7).

4TH LEG: 1, 3, 7, 10

COST $100 FOR 52%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with IMPERATRIZ (1), BUENOS NOCHES (3) and CYLINDER (14). In the second leg take GRINZINGER BELLE (4), AUTUMN ANGEL (5) and PINK CHANDON (10). Then in the third leg take BERKSHIRE SHADOW (1) and AMENABLE (3). Come home with FOXY FRIDA (1), UNUSUAL CULTURE (3) and BELLE SAVOIR (7).

1ST LEG: 1, 3, 14

2ND LEG: 4, 5, 10

3RD LEG: 2, 1, 3

4TH LEG: 1, 3, 7

COST $100 FOR 185%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Newmarket Handicap meeting at Flemington