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Horses to follow and forgive from Flemington on Saturday, July 19, 2025

Form expert Brad Waters analyses Saturday’s Flemington meeting, revealing his horses to follow as well as three to forgive from the nine-race card.

Brad Waters
3 min read
July 20, 2025 - 11:21AM
Arcora (right) prevailed in a three-way finish to Saturday’s Byerley Handicap at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images.
Arcora (right) prevailed in a three-way finish to Saturday’s Byerley Handicap at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images.

Herald Sun racing writer Brad Waters runs his eye over Saturday’s meeting at Flemington, finding five horses to follow and some to forgive from the card.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW:

ARABIAN PRINCE (3rd, Race 2): Terrific debut from the Mick Kent-trained two-year-old. Starting his career over 1800m, a marathon journey for a two-year-old, Arabian Prince relaxed perfectly for jockey Craig Williams before tracking up behind the leaders early in the straight. He got outside runners at the 150m and hit the line hard to be narrowly beaten. Kent has a promising young stayer in his camp by Godolphin’s first season former shuttler Ghaiyyath.

BOLD SECRET (3rd, Race 4): Bold Secret was well in the market after impressing at the jumpouts but the Phillip Stokes-trained filly struck a little trouble early when pestered by a wayward rival, leaving her racing further back than desired at the halfway point. She took time to get going when pressured but caught the eye with her impressive last 200m to grab third in an encouraging debut.

MATRIARCH ROSE (5th, Race 5): Matriarch Rose had a torrid run in the Rising Stars Series Final but the Dan O’Sullivan-trained mare did a great job to finish as close as she did. Matriarch Rose was left travelling three-wide without cover in windy conditions throughout the race and would have been entitled to tire in the straight. However, she boxed on well to hold her ground in the straight. She’s fit and could be ready to win.

EYE OF THE FIRE (4th, Race 6): Eye Of The Fire had his first run in Melbourne and did a good job down the Flemington straight for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald. The four-year-old showed good speed to race on the pace, facing the breeze, early in the race before boxing on well in the straight to finish just over two lengths from the smart La Fracas at his second run back from a spell. He’ll improve off that outing.

DOCUMENTARY (6th, Race 9): The Nick Ryan-trained sprinter resumed at Flemington on Saturday and should have finished even closer than he did. Drawing barrier four meant he had to concede early ground to find the right part of the track but Documentary ran on well from the 250m until running out of room late on the inside of the winner Losesomewinmore. He looks set to post a win or two in Saturday grade this time in.

Rose eases Prebble’s worries in Rising Stars final

FORGIVE:

BAYOU MUSIC (2nd, Race 2): Bayou Music was unlucky to go down narrowly in the Byerley Handicap. He was held up from the 400m until easing out around the heels of the eventual winner Arcora at the 150m. Jockey Jamie Melham told stewards she was unable to improve earlier as those ahead of her were rolling around in the windy conditions.

OYSTER LANE (2nd, Race 4): Oyster Lane started as the $3.50 second pick but simply bumped into one better on the day. The Ciaron Maher-trained youngster was only having his second start, his first down the Flemington straight, but did a good job behind a significantly more experienced Shining Smile, who had four previous starts on the course. Oyster Lane can repay his backers soon.

PARIAH PEARL (4th, Race 5): The consistent Pariah Pearl was a touch unlucky not to win the Rising Stars Final. The Busuttin and Young-trained galloper had a soft run to the home turn but ended up in an awkward spot at the 400m and had to be eased at the 200m before rallying to finish a length from the winner. He’s worth another chance soon.

STEWARDS SAY:

BAYOU MUSIC (2nd Race 2) – Held up from the 400m to the 250m.

AMBER STAR (10th Race 3) – Disappointed for a run at the 400m and held up in the straight until clear at the 100m.

CLAYMORE MINE (8th Race 5) – Held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 200m.

Apprentice Rose Hammond suspended for eight meetings for overuse of the whip on Lake Vostok, the winner of Race 5.

OUR COUVER (12th Race 6) – Held up for clear running from the 400m until passing the 50m.

VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (11th Race 7) – Pulled up lame in the near hind leg.

EUPHORIC (11th Race 8) – Missed start by three lengths and held up over the final 100m and went to the line not fully tested.

Originally published as Horses to follow and forgive from Flemington on Saturday, July 19, 2025

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/horses-to-follow-and-forgive-from-flemington-on-saturday-july-19-2025/news-story/b9977b001ffa8e4fd8ca4e31a961cee7