The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Super Saturday at Flemington
HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race card on Super Saturday at Flemington.
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HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race card on Super Saturday at Flemington.
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RACE 1
ZAMZAM (3) finished on strongly for third behind the star Mick Price gallopers Extreme Choice and Flying Artie in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Finished almost five lengths behind Flying Artie but should have finished closer as she was held up for a run in the straight. Stablemate SO SERENE (4) is a new recruit for the Lindsay Park team. Matched motors with Extreme Choice at her debut until the closing stages when second to him in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick in December. CONCEALER (1) flopped in the Blue Diamond Stakes but her two previous runs for a debut win down the Flemington straight and then a second in the Blue Diamond Prelude entitle her to another chance. EMPHATICALLY (7) and THYME FOR ROSES (7) finished close-up on outside fence in fourth and fifth position respectively behind winner SELENIA (2) who was on the faster inside section of track last Saturday.
Suggested bet: Zamzam each-way.
RACE 2
Strong form line for Sydney colt DETECTIVE (3) as he stretched last week’s impressive Sydney winner Kiss And Make Up who is now one of the favourites for the Golden Slipper when second to him at Canterbury. REVOLVING DOOR (4) led and held off a determined finished from SEABURGE (5) to win over 1300m at Sandown Hillside last start. Both of those Sebring colts have been set for this and both are well drawn. ATTENBOUROUGH (6) ran on in the same race for fourth and has blinkers on first time. POWER TRIP (1) ran home nicely for fourth in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Suggested bet: Detective the win. Box exacta 3, 4 and 5.
RACE 3
STELLAR COLLISION (4) is building a Weir picket fence with three starts for three wins. Defeated two smart horses in Bon Aurum and Lizard Island at Sandown last August and had to overcome a mid-race check to do so. Swooped home to win at Moonee Valley when he resumed defeating the in-form GREY STREET (7). BASSETT (1) was grabbed in the final few strides at Caulfield when third to Santa Anna Lane. Yet to run a bad race. BROCKHOFF (2) finished off strongly in the same race to finish a close second. SUPER CASH (9) ran on for third behind smart fillies Almighty Girl and Secret Agenda at Moonee Valley last start. Has a nice weight advantage over the males. SOBOOG (3), BLACK VANQUISH (5) and STOKER (6) have talent.
Suggested bet: Stellar Collision the win.
RACE 4
Darren Weir has two great hopes in this. STRATUM STAR (2) is an above average galloper who tried hard when second to Turn Me Loose last start at Caulfield in the Futurity Stakes. Should get an ideal on speed run. Stablemate TRUST IN A GUST (1) is the one he may have to run down. He finished a last start sixth in the Futurity Stakes but he had to work early from his outside draw and just tired in the last little bit. THE UNITED STATES (5) missed the start by five lengths in the Futurity Stakes and ran home powerfully to finish only 1.85 lengths from the winner. The Freedman brother’s import GUARDINI (8) has run well in a jump out. ENTIRELY PLATINUM (6) has blinkers on first time in a bid to coax him to return to form.
Suggested bet: Stratum Star the win.
RACE 5
The most open race of the day. EGYPT (12) ran into a dead end in the straight when had plenty to give in the Angus Armanasco behind CATCH A FIRE (4) at Caulfield last start. She finished tenth but was only beaten 3.75 lengths and appeared to be going well enough to win if she got clear. DANIELA ROSA (14) was impressive winning at Sandown last start when she worked forward and held off the smart colt Data Point. PASADENA GIRL (1) ran home well out wide for third behind Catch A Fire. Meets all of her rivals from that race two kilos better. Catch A Fire is getting better with every start. DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (2) is now two from two at Flemington over 1400m. She’ll get back and swoop home. LABDIEN (9), JACQUI’S JOY (8), MOSSIN’ AROUND (5) and BADAWIYA (3) all chances.
Suggested bet: Egypt each-way.
RACE 6
Star sprinter CHAUTAUQUA (1) ran an amazing last 200m to get up in the final bound to win the Lightning Stakes. The grey, nicknamed “Harry Houdini” for his penchant of getting out of difficult positions will be suited by being drawn in barrier eleven. Usually if he gets beaten it’s due to bad luck. Lots of arrows point in the JAPONISME (6) direction. He meets Chautauqua 2.5 kilos better for close third in the Lightning Stakes. He’s also a Group One winner this track and distance in the Coolmore, the race which provided the winner of this race last year in Brazen Beau. Chris Waller’s other runners DELECTATION (2) and COUNTERATTACK (10) also have strong claims. Delectation ran on well in the Lightning Stakes and at his previous start he defeated Chautauqua in the Darley Classic. Counterattack finished third in the Coolmore last year. Wildcard runner is WA star BLACK HEART BART (4) who debuts for the Weir stable. Won’t know himself with only 53.5 kilos.
Suggested bet: Chautauqua the win.
RACE 7
BOW CREEK (6) exploded away from his rivals to win the Peter Young Stakes impressively. Didn’t help his chances by missing the start but still proved too good. Step up to 2000m should prove ideal. RISING ROMANCE (9) ran on well after being held up for sixth in the same race. Was stiff this track and distance in the Mackinnon Stakes last spring when second to Gailo Chop as she was in the slower part of the track. OUR IVANHOWE (5) was held up in the closing stages in the Peter Young Stakes and should have finished closer. AWESOME ROCK (8) held on well after having had a tough run after working early when fourth in the same race.
PREFERMENT (2) won the Turnbull Stakes this track and distance last campaign. Also won the Hill Stakes second-up last campaign.
Suggested bet: Bow Creek the win.
RACE 8
Last year NOBLE PROTECTOR (1) won this race first-up by four and a half lengths. Robert Smerdon has given her an identical preparation leading into this race with three trials at Cranbourne. She’s a Group One placegetter with outstanding ability. Only query is that she flopped in two runs last spring. MISS ROSE DE LAGO (2) has a touch of class. She resumed with sound third in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes behind Azkadellia and Tuscan Sling. ANAPHORA (10) ran on strongly in the same race for fifth and is two from two over 1600m. ALASKAN ROSE (13) finished off strongly last start at Caulfield and is looking for 1600m. SACRED EYE (3) went forward last start and will be better suited coming from off the speed.
Suggested bet: Noble Protector the win.