We head back to HQ on Saturday for VRC Members Race Day at Flemington.
A quality nine-race program is in store for punters and there is no shortage of value across each and every field.
We’ve run the rule over the lot and our best bets can be found below
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Race 1 – 11:40AM – VRC Member Emma Sergeant Plate, (2500m)
This isn’t a race I’m overly keen to dive into with Grand Promenade at very short odds.
He was a clear winner two back at Sandown over 2400m and was beaten by a good horse in Realm Of Flowers last time out in the Listed Andrew Ramsden.
Back in trip in a much easier race with Jamie Kah on board makes him tough to tip against.
Race 2 – 12:15pm – VRC Member Bed Edney Trophy, (1400m)
Willing to give La Vina another look after struggling to find room in her second-up assignment over shorter.
I don’t think the drop back in trip suited her that day after she gapped her rivals by over two-lengths at Warrnambool first-up over 1200m. Out further now, Lindsey Smith’s four-year-old should take some beating, especially if we get a track in the soft range.
Race 3 – 12:50pm – VRC Member Lesley Milson Trophy, (1400m)
This is Chief Altony’s toughest assignment to date, but it’s hard to knock him after he gapped his rivals by four lengths second-up at Ballarat a fortnight ago.
He’s going great guns this horse and the way he letdown that day suggests he’ll see out the 1400m in his stride on Saturday.
The son of Rebel Raider has missed the money only once from 11 starts in his career and he should be doing his best work late under Mark Zahra.
Race 4 – 1:25pm – VRC Member Phillip Jacobsen Sprint, (1100m)
Again, not a race I’m overly keen to get involved in, but it does shape as an interesting watch with the Peter Moody-trained Invincible Caviar making her debut.
The champion trainer has a big opinion of this filly and she’s certainly looked the part in recent jump outs. Could be worth a small wager at the $6.00 quote.
Race 5 – 2:05pm – VRC Member Thorold Gunnersen AM, (1400m)
No real surprise to find Yulong January heading the market.
He’s been somewhat of a Flemington machine throughout his career, particularly over this distance where he’s won three times previously.
One of those came only a few weeks ago when he put paid to both Odeon and Reykavik by over a length. He’s the type of horse that can sometimes string together a few wins on the trot, and from the soft draw, I can’t find a reason why he won’t win again.
Race 6 – 2:45pm – VRC Member Brian Lindsay Trophy (1400m)
Although only lightly-raced, Michigan has proven himself a consistent customer with two wins and two placings from four starts.
He was enormous last month at Bendigo where he overcame a three-wide position to win by nearly a length, and I quite like the fact he’s been kept fresh for his third run back.
This is the toughest assignment he’s faced, but he’s clearly got a turn of foot and the right jockey in the saddle to get the job done.
Race 7 – 3:25pm – VRC Member Maureen Salter Plate (2000m)
Capacity field engaged for this one, but it’s still tough to fault Reuber as he looked to break a run of recent placings.
The son of Dissident finished a clear third to Liquero in the Listed Galilee Final at Caulfield over further last month before dropping back to 2000m to finish second to Horrifying a fortnight ago.
The form out of that race has somewhat been franked with the latter going on to run fifth in the
Queensland Derby last week at Eagle Farm.
He has been up for a while, but he’s still held his form nicely to suggest he can win a race like this.
Race 8 – 4:05pm – VRC Member Maureen William Capell Sprint (1100m)
Happy to have All Of Brighton on top after he smoked the line to win over this track and trip a couple of weeks ago.
He saluted the judge with plenty left in reserve that day and he’s again drawn to get the gun run under Michael Dee along the fence.
Fitter now for three runs back, he can definitely go on with it.
Race 9 – 4:35pm – VRC Member Otto Kohn Trophy (2000m)
Rough way to end the day with a case to be made for a few.
Happy to take a stab on Lunar Flare here despite the wide draw. She’s been good in two runs back in work finishing third by only narrow margins over shorter.
The mare out of Fiorente was also a very consistent customer during the spring winning three times beyond 2000m, and with even luck, she should be doing her best work late.