Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s best bets for Saturday

Victorian form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets and quaddie selections for Flemington on Saturday.

Victorian form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets and quaddie selections for Flemington on Saturday.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 2: 3YO QUALITY (2000m)

$50 win SHOCKLETZ (3) at $3

Powered home to win a similar race last start at Flemington with a big gap to third and the remainder of the field. First three past the post, including game runner-up PROCHESTER (7) and NEARCO FROD (2) square off again on Saturday. Prochester almost pinched the race last start, unlikely to be afforded such a leg rope again. Shockletz has a significant weight rise – 4kg more than last start – to contend with but not beyond the three-year-old sister of Horrifying. The Ciaron Maher-trained Shocking filly looks the one to beat again.

"Shockletz SURGING on the outside & got up!" 🗣️

Shockletz thunders down the middle of the track to claim Prochester in the final bound! ⚡️@[e-mail]/N0WhgxvKC3

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 7, 2025

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 84 (1420m)

$25 each way GREAT MAXIMUS (8) at $7/$2.50

South Australian raider dropped into Flemington around this time last year and challenged for the win, placed third beaten less than a length. Back again and in better form than last year, coming off consecutive wins in SA. The Magnus gelding, a six-time winner from 13 starts, has the tactical speed to cross from barrier eight and settle within striking distance. Favourite CAFE MILLENIUM (2) an eye-catcher from the back last start at Caulfield but the former Sydney galloper has one win – on debut – from 18 starts. Happy to risk in quite an even race.

Great Maximus charges home for a stirring late finish to snag his second win in a row right on the line 💪@RJollyRacingpic.twitter.com/Q8eM4of53N

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 7, 2025

RACE 6: QUALITY HANDICAP (2540m)

$25 each-way SAMUEL LANGHORNE (12) at $8/$2.70

Not quite a good thing licked last start but certainly not afforded the opportunity to contend after being held up behind a wall of horses. Switched off heels eventually and made a run inside the last 200m to get within two lengths of winner MUKTAMIL (10), a $9 chance on Saturday. Third-up and ready to win with even luck. Wary of progressive DIWALI (7), gone from Benchmark 58 to Listed Sandown Cup winner the past four starts.

Samuel Langhorne keeps the favourite backers happy in the first at Mornington 🤝@MCKentRacingpic.twitter.com/Nvbxz2TUFB

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 9, 2023

RACE 8: THE DAVID BOURKE (1620m)

$25 each way HOLYMANZ (5) at $8.50/$2.80

Building to another win? Strong first-up effort at Flemington four starts back then caught too far back in two subsequent appearances in stronger grade. Dropped back to Open company last start, runner-up in the Swan Hill Cup behind the in-form DASHING ($23). Favourite JIMMY THE BEAR (3) should be fighting out the finish again. Jimmy The Bear placed second behind subsequent Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine first-up and then won at Caulfield. Settled too far back from a wide barrier last start at Flemington but worked home to run second, albeit in vain, behind the runaway winner Oh Too Good.

Holymanz remains the sole winner of the Coastal Classic, victorious in the races' first two runnings 💫@[e-mail]/Vqw8BxMszh

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 4, 2025

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1, RACE 6

SAMUEL LANGHORNE (12) held up at a crucial stage last start and finished off well to run fourth. Should be ready to show something third-up on Saturday with even luck. DIWALI (7) won the Listed Sandown Cup (2800m) with authority last start. Back in distance and bridging run towards the Flemington Cup next month. Include but query. THROUGH IRISH EYES (13) and BOLD SOUL (5) next best.

1ST LEG 5, 7, 12, 13

LEG 2, RACE 7

SPLASH BACK (6) won impressively last start at Caulfield – blew them away from back in the field – and would not need to improve much to repeat the dose. The talented mare has won five of 11 starts and placed twice. Should build on the winning record on Saturday. AVEBURY (5) has been game in defeat the past two starts with big weights. Up in grade but down in weight and respect the booking of champion jockey Craig Williams. MOLLYNICKERS (3) has the right form to figure in the finish again.

2ND LEG 3, 5, 6

LEG 3, RACE 8

JIMMY THE BEAR (3) is a worthy favourite and looks hardest to beat. Drawn a gate on Saturday so should get a lovely run in transit. HOLYMANZ (5) has four runs under the belt, last start runner-up in the Swan Hill Cup, and ready to peak. Include ST LAWRENCE (8).

3RD LEG 3, 5, 8, 11

LEG 4, RACE 9

FIELDELO (9) rocketed to a seven-length Benchmark 58 Fillies and Mares win at Bendigo first-up and despite a sharp rise in grade on Saturday must be respected. SALSA FELLOW (2) has won two on the trot and overcame adversity last start, held up at a crucial stage, to get the result. BOLD BASTILLE (1) could take catching and has won and placed down the straight previously. SUN SETTING (14) not without a chance at odds.

FOURTH LEG 1, 2, 9, 14

FLEMINGTON QUADDIE
Race 6: 5, 7, 12, 13
Race 7: 3, 5, 6
Race 8: 3, 5, 8, 11
Race 9: 1, 2, 9, 14
COST $100 FOR 52 per cent

SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with SAMUEL LANGHORNE (12) and THROUGH IRISH EYES (13). In the second leg take AVEBURY (5) and SPLASH BACK (6). Then in the third leg take JIMMY THE BEAR (3), HOLYMANZ (5) and ST LAWRENCE (8). Come home with BOLD BASTILLE (1), FIELDELO (9) AND SUN SETTING (14).

Race 6: 12, 13
Race 7: 5, 6
Race 8: 3, 5, 8
Race 9: 1, 9, 14
COST $100 FOR 277 per cent