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Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Australian Cup meeting at Flemington

A mare with an unbeaten first-up record can get punters off to a winning start at Flemington on Saturday as Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
March 28, 2025 - 12:00PM
Punters – Hold All Tickets Ep 29 – Last Group 1 of Melbourne Autumn

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

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 1: OPEN HANDICAP MARES (1100m)

$25 each-way A LITTLE DEEP (1) at $4.60/1.75

The five-year-old mare boasts an unbeaten first-up record (3-3) and based on recent jumpouts should be right in the finish on Saturday at Flemington. Raced down the straight twice previously, touched off by Flemington specialist Sans Doute last year, and then four lengths off the pace in Group 3 at the end of last campaign. Mindful of the in-form and consistent BOSSY NIC (2) but fresh mare on the scene A Little Deep should be hard to hold out.

RACE 6: LISTED ATA/BOB HOYSTED HANDICAP (1000m)

$15/$35 each-way SANS DOUTE (7) at $$13/3.50

Track and distance specialist could run a cheeky race second-up. Got too far back last start in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) from a wide draw and finished 11th, beaten six lengths. Won four of six at Flemington early in her career, including two for two at 1000m. Jockey Michael Dee back aboard, has won (once) and placed (three) in seven starts on the mare. Happy to play at the price in an open race. Respect favourite PISANELLO (8), who won second-up at Flemington last spring.

RACE 8: GROUP 1 AUSTRALIAN CUP (2000m)

$25 each-way ZARDOZI (8) at $7/2.20

Nice Australian Cup trial last start, second in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m), and looks primed to strike fourth-up at preferred track Flemington. A genuine tempo set by likely leaders, favourite PRIDE OF JENNI (6) and DENY KNOWLEDGE (9), could work perfectly for Zardozi. Include All-Star Mile placed LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (1) in exotics and ATISHU (7), a multiple Flemington Group 1 winner.

RACE 9: LISTED ROY HIGGINS QUALITY (2600m)

$25 each-way MOSTLY CLOUDY (6) at $6.50/$1.95

Proven performer in this company and placed third in this race last year, beaten less than a length. Continues to race consistently, last-start third in a 2400m at Caulfield. Drawn to get an economical run and has the luxury of champion jockey Blake Shinn in the saddle. DEAKIN (3) clearly the horse to beat, won two of his past three, and stayer of the future but expect Mostly Cloudy to be in the finish somewhere.

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 7

ALABAMA LASS (6) has big shoes to fill, being dubbed as the next Imperatriz to come out of New Zealand, but hard to fault her record to date. Won five of eight starts and been runner-up three times. Two of her defeats were at the highest level and she had excuses in both — distance and track conditions. Bolted in last start across the Tasman and could do so again in her Australian debut. Include VESTAS (15), drawn the right side of the straight to be effective, and GATSBY’S (3).

1ST LEG: 3, 6, 15

LEG 2 – RACE 8

PRIDE OF JENNI (6) the horse to beat again. Trotted in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first-up and only narrowly beaten in the Australian Cup last year. ZARDOZI (8) the main danger for mine, ready to peak fourth-up. Maps to get a cart into the race and suited at Flemington. LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (1) finished hard in the All-Star Mile and not without a chance of improving a place or two.

2ND LEG: 1, 6, 8

LEG 3 – RACE 9

DEAKIN (3) has the runs on the board, won two of past three, and looks progressive enough to not only win the Melbourne Cup qualifier on Saturday at Flemington but return to contend on the first Tuesday in November. MOSTLY CLOUDY (6) placed third in the race last year and must be respected again. NEWFOUNDLAND (10) was second in the Adelaide Cup and has been racing consistently.

3RD LEG: 3, 6, 10

LEG 4 – RACE 10

MYTEMPTATION (1) could rebound hard back in grade on the seven-day back-up. Given an easy time last Saturday in a Benchmark 96 when not suited by rain-affected ground. Won well at Flemington the start prior. Open race and just about anything could win. WALLENDA (8) won nicely in Sydney and performed well in strong races down the straight previously. Include FASUTO (2) and consistent PRINZERRO (14).

4TH LEG: 1, 2, 8, 14

COST $100 FOR 92%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with ALABAMA LASS (6) one out. In the second leg take PRIDE OF JENNI (6) and ZARDOZI (8). Then in the third leg take DEAKIN (3) straight out. Come home with MYTEMPTATION (1), FASUTO (2) and PRINZERRO (14).

1ST LEG: 6

2ND LEG: 6, 8

3RD LEG: 3

4TH LEG: 1, 2, 14

COST $100 FOR 1666.66

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

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/fourplay-quadzilla-200-betting-strategy-for-australian-cup-meeting-at-flemington/news-story/f3f1b9575ed584e899472ecee317e07b