Flemington hosts a second consecutive Saturday meeting this weekend, with twilight racing giving punters plenty to ponder.
The first of the nine race card will kick off at 3:10pm, whilst the final race is scheduled for 8pm.
The smoke that engulfed Melbourne during the week is expected to subside over the coming days, whilst minimal rain is expected. This should see us racing on a Good 4 surface, with the rail out 9m the entire circuit.
The rail was out 6m for last Saturday's meeting, when the best place to be was two to three lanes off the fence in the straight. In the straight races, jockey's appeared to favour the middle/outside of the track.
Race 3 Donate To Salvation Army Disaster Appeal (3YO Hcp) 1100m
Lucifer’s Express will set the pace in this, with Diode and Little Rich Boy to settle just off him.
Look for Alabama Express to take a sit behind them.
Condo’s Express (8) has the runs on the board and has only been out of the placings once in his career. I expect him to take a sit and finish too good for them.
Alabama Express (5) is the main danger. This Redoute’s Choice colt is capable of winning and if he gets a break, he will prove hard to beat.
Lucifer’s Reward (3) will look the winner a hundred from home, but will find this race a little too hot. Expect him to fade but should cling onto a placing.
Only six runners will contest the feature race of the meet, so barriers won't hold their usual significance.
Time To Reign and Sartorial Splendor are the likely leaders.
The recent history of this race suggests that the top weight will struggle and I believe favourite All Too Royal is weighted badly against some handy types.
Bold Star (2) has two wins and a second this campaign, with a very good win here down the straight two starts back.
I expect him to take a sit and hit the go button two hundred out and prove too good.
All Too Royal (5) was very impressive winning first-up after a long spell at Caulfield.
Look for him to race outside Bold Star and be in the finish, with the weight proving too much.
Time To Reign (1) is the one hit wonder, boasting a win over Bivouac early in his career and now returns to the track following a long layoff.
Everyone in the racing world would have seen his trial demolition on January 2nd and if he brings this to race day, we are in for a treat.
Mark is a racing tragic. Whether it be the tight turn of Mooney Valley or the long Flemington straight, Mark's ability to assess a race is proven to give punters an edge.
Mark's Race 3 Tips
