We take a look at the feature race meeting in VIC on Saturday which is at the Flemington where the Andrew Ramsden headlines the card. View our race meeting preview and tips.
RACE 1: 2YO SW&P (1000M) 11:45AM
River Views was outclassed when making his racing debut at The Valley in October last year when finishing last of 15 runners.
That $500k race was won by Sneaky Five and this is a genuine drop back in class.
A recent trial win by over three lengths has proven this chestnut gelding has a heap of natural speed and the inside draw will be of benefit.
Blinkers have been added for the first time.
RACE 2: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1600M) 12:20PM
Sweet Karolina returned from a spell with a second at Sandown in a benchmark 64 before winning at Geelong last start by three quarters of a length.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner has been placed in six of her nine career runs and the mile looks perfect for her at this stage of her prep.
RACE 3: BREEDERS HANDICAP (1000M) 12:55PM
You can’t fault the form, or placement, of Sartorial Splendor recently and his win at this track and distance last start was very impressive when scoring by over a length.
He is being asked to carry more weight in this contest but in a race that lacks a whole heap of depth, he looks the winner again.
RACE 4: AUSTRALIAN RACING HOF TROPHY (2000M) 1:30PM
Hypnos is making his Australian racing debut in the fourth event of the day at headquarters.
The five year old gelding has won five times from 28 career starts and been placed a further nine times including his last two in a row.
The latest of those came at Group 3 level when he was beaten less than half a length.
Barrier three and the claim will help.
RACE 5: BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP (1200M) 2:10PM
Plaquette returned to her best form when narrowly defeated last time out at Caulfield behind a very smart horse in Intrepidacious.
I have a pretty high opinion of that horse so the form out of that race is of high quality.
The step up to 1200m will suit and she looks the one to beat.
RACE 6: LISTED ANDREW RAMSDEN (2800M) 2:50PM
The Andrew Ramsden is always a fascinating race with the winner automatically qualifying for the Melbourne Cup and you can look for the winner to decrease dramatically in futures after the race has been run.
Grand Promenade is a very exciting and lightly raced stayer who is racing very well right at the minute.
He is bred to stay all day and is coming off a very impressive two length win at Sandown over 2400m.
This is another step up in class but he looks a great each way bet.
RACE 7: ROYAL ASCOT SILVER BOWL (1400M) 3:30PM
Winsum has shown a fair bit of potential in his six career starts with two wins and a further two placings.
He was excellent when beaten just over a length behind the very talented Minhaaj at Caulfield before being well beaten last start.
The son of Wandjina represents good value at his current price to bounce back from a good draw in barrier four.
RACE 8: OPEN HANDICAP (1400M) 4:08PM
Riddle Me That has been excellent so far this prep without winning, having not been beaten by more than 2.2 lengths in three starts.
He was a touch disappointing last start when he had a lot in his favour, but Daniel Stackhouse may have just got him to the front a tad early and he was a sitting duck late in the piece.
Being asked to rise in weight for this contest will be a challenge but he again looks well placed.
RACE 9: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1600M) 4:45PM
It has been a frustrating prep so far for connections of Dirty Deeds who has now placed in his last four race starts.
The son of Dundeel will appreciate the drop in class from his last start second in a benchmark 88 at Sandown and the blinkers will be applied for the first time.
