14/9/19 Flemington tips and best bets

Headquarters plays host to a fantastic card of racing this Saturday, headlined by the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes.

Previous winners of the Makybe Diva include champions Weekend Hussler (2008), Northerly (2002) and Jeune (1995), all multiple Group One winners.  

The early favourite for this year's race is none other than Cox Plate favourite, Mystic Journey.

The Tasmanian returned from a spell in scintillating style, winning the Group Two P.B Lawrence with a hoof in the air. 

The Flemington track is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position.

With fine weather predicted over coming days, punters should expect a fair racing surface. 

 

Flemington Race 6 Tip #6 Fundamentalist $6.50 

While this mare has a poor win strike rate, she has raced against the best quality gallopers in the country and gets her chance for an elusive win here. 

Her first-up run in the Listed Regal Roller was full of merit. She lugged 59kg to run third behind the speedy Begood Toya Mother over the unsuitable 1200m journey. 

Her second-up run was below average in the Group One Memsie Stakes, with connections suggesting she didn't appreciate the hard racing surface. 

Her third-up run last prep was behind the talented Nakeeta Jane, over 1400m in the Group One Surround Stakes. If she was to reproduce an effort like that, she'll prove awfully hard to beat. 

Drawn barrier seven, expect jockey Luke Nolan to push forward to lead and make every post a winner!

 

Flemington Race 8 Tip #1 Dothraki $11.00 each-way 

Another quality galloper who hasn't tasted victory for a while, but finds a very winnable race here.

His last start sixth when first-up was a great hit-out. Caught three-wide the trip, he showed great tenacity to finish within 1.1 lengths of Derpive. 

Last preparation, he finished 4.75 lengths off Sunlight in the Group One Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Flemington, before running the talented mare to within 1.85 lengths in the William Reid. 

A repeat of that form here will have the Team Snowden trained gelding fighting out the finish. 

His form stats also stack up, with a strong second-up record (14:4-3-4) and a proven ability down the Flemington straight (6:2-0-1). 

From barrier six, jockey Mark Zahra has the luxury of choosing which part of the track has the better running.

Look to see him sit on-pace and be perfectly positioned to strike.