It’s one of winter’s most highly anticipated race days each year and Flemington Finals Day will take place at HQ on Saturday.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
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Race 1 – 11:50AM – Sofitel Next Generation Sprinters Series Final, (1200m)
There isn’t much form to take in ahead of the first on Flemington Finals Day, but I’m going to have something on The Art Of Flying.
The Art Of Flying stamped himself as a runner to follow during a short debut prep in summer and finished second in the Inglis Banner at The Valley and third in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes most notably.
He needed the run when third over 1108m at Sale when resuming, but I’m confident that will have brought him right on.
Race 2 – 12:25PM – Silver Bowl Series Final, (1600m)
Seb Song looks up to winning the Silver Bowl Series Final.
Seb Song has had four starts back from a spell this time, winning at Cranbourne when fresh, and he hasn’t been far away from the winner at his last two.
Importantly, Jamie Kah jumps aboard this weekend and the mile at Flemington should prove ideal.
Race 3 – 1:00pm – Banjo Patterson Series Final, (2600m)
Grand Promenade will take a power of beating in the Banjo Patterson Series Final.
The Ciaran Maher & David Eustace-trained stayer has been nothing short of outstanding this preparation, failing to finish worse than second in five starts and winning over 2520m here in dominant fashion last time.
Jamie Kah understandably stays aboard, and he is my best bet on the program.
Race 4 – 1:35pm – Listed Taj Rossi Series Final, (1600m)
This is another rise in class for Cardigan Queen, but she has enjoyed an impressive start to her racing career, and she can record another win in the Taj Rossi Final.
The Sebring filly finished second in each of her first three career starts, including the VOBIS Gold Strike at Warrnambool before breaking her maiden in the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill most recently.
She’s rock-hard fit and this looks like a great opportunity at a big of black type.
Race 5 – 2:15pm – Rivette Series Final, (1400m)
Star Of Uma looks capable of making it two wins in a row when she steps out in the Rivette Series Final.
The I Am Invincible filly hasn’t run a bad race since debuting, and she returned to the races this time for consecutive second placings in South Australia before recording a bullish win at Morphettville last time out.
She looks to be in peak conditions for this race, it has been the target all preparation and her class will take her a long way towards winning.
Race 6 – 2:55pm – Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final, (1600m)
Dice Roll has recorded three wins from as many starts this prep and is the runner to beat in this year’s Winter Championship Final.
The UK-bred, former Hong Kong resident announced himself to the Australian racing community when he debuted for a lovely win at Caulfield in April and he has only improved with each start, winning each of his last two comfortably.
Nick Ryan has spaced his runs which has clearly made the difference, the horse has beaten home some above-average gallopers, and this looks the perfect black type target for him.
Race 7 – 3:30pm – Mahogany Challenge Final, (2500m)
I’m going to give Reuber another chance to win when he contests the final of the Mahogany Challenge at HQ on Saturday.
Reuber has been a model of consistency without breaking through for an elusive win this prep, and he finished second in three-consecutive races most notably, running into the likes of Horrifying and Namakwa in that period of time.
Getting out to the 2500m at this point of his prep looks perfect and the $6 available at publish could prove over the odds.
Race 8 – 4:05pm – Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final, (1200m)
The Astrologist was nothing short of outstanding here at Flemington last time and I am happy to stick with him in the Victorian Sprint Series Final.
The Zoustar gelding went to another level last preparation, and he stripped fitter for each of his first two starts back this time in Listed and Group 2 company respectively before charging to score here last time.
He is at peak fitness for this contest and can win again.
I’m also going to save on William Thomas.
William Thomas has been a great horse for John Price’s small team for several seasons now, and he kept all of his best work for late when third behind The Astrologist when resuming.
He looks to be a touch of overs at around the $10 mark.
Race 9 – 4:35pm – Leilani Series Final, (1400m)
This is a tough way to end Flemington Finals Day from a betting perspective, but Galgani looks to have claims on winning, particularly following the booking of Craig Williams.
Galgani flew in to score at Ladbrokes Park when resuming in early June and was last seen filling the minors in BM90 company here.
Fitter third-up and drawn to receive every chance, I’m happy to have something on.