The Flemington Cup is the feature race on the nine race program this Saturday at headquarters.
Our full 2021 Flemington Cup Tips & Preview can be viewed below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 11:55AM – Byerley Handicap, (1800m) – No. 4 Mamool
Mamool finished third when making his racing debut at Geelong last start and he was far from disgraced.
He will take plenty of benefit from the experience and in a race that lacks a fair amount of depth, he is a winning chance.
Race 2 – 12:30PM – K.A Morrison Handicap, (1400m) – No. 7 Divine Diosa
Divine Diosa couldn’t have been much more impressive when winning by over a length at Caulfield late last month and she followed that up with a narrow defeat at this track and distance last start.
She was beaten by the very smart Foxy Frida in that race but they both beat home third by 2.75 lengths.
The $15 available at time of publish looks very juicy.
Race 3 – 1:05pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap, (1400m) – No. 7 Lindhout
It’s hard to look passed the favourite Lindhout in the third race of the afternoon at headquarters.
The lightly raced four year old mare was dominant when scoring by two lengths at this track and distance last time out and this race does not look any tougher.
Race 4 – 1:40pm – Open Handicap, (2000m) – No. 2 Schabau
I have quite a big opinion of Schabau and while this is not his ideal distance, he has performed well first up at the distance in the past.
He was only narrowly denied behind Al Galayel over 200m at Caulfield when resuming last prep and he has been gelding since we last saw him at the races.
Race 5 – 2:20pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap, (1200m) – No. 7 Hasseltoff
Hasseltoff was racing exceptionally consistently during his last campaign finishing in the top two in his last six attempts.
They may be a bit sharp for him over the 1200m first up and Jamie Kah will need to be at her best with the tricky draw but he is a horse that is very capable at this level.
Race 6 – 3:00pm – Open Handicap, (1600m) – No. 1 Django Freeman & No. 10 Fundraiser
I have quite an opinion of Django Freeman who was only 2.7 lengths off Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes last prep.
The horse must not have been reaching his potential as connections have decided to geld him which is not a decision to be taken lightly with such a promising horse.
Fundraiser is another I will be backing at a price in this contest.
Both runs this prep have been full of merit and the four year old gelding should be nearing peak fitness for this assignment.
This is another step up in class but he will be required to carry just 54kg and has drawn the inside alley.
Race 7 – 3:35pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap, (1000m) – No. 10 Dirty Thoughts
Dirty Thoughts is a very talented young race horse who worked her way through the grades with aplomb during her last prep.
She followed a close third at Listed level with another third at group 3 level to close out her last campaign and this is a very winnable race for her first up.
Race 8 – 4:15pm – Flemington Cup, (2800m) – No. 7 Royal Crown
Royal Crown was an impressive winner at Werribee two starts back before tackling the Banjo Patterson Final last time out at Flemington.
He was well beaten by Grand Promenade that day but found the line well and should be ready to peak at this stage in his prep.
The four year old gelding is one of only a few horses in this race with a big amount of upside and he should get a nice run in transit from barrier two.