Flemington Tips and Best Bets for Saturday 13/1/24

Feature Victorian thoroughbred racing returns to Headquarters this Saturday with a bumper 10-race program.

Outside of a few short-priced favourites, it looks like a very tricky betting program for punters but I’ve found a couple at odds that look well worthy of a wager.

The feature race of the meeting is the Group 3 Standish Handicap to be run up the famous Flemington straight over 1200m in race 8.

South Australian 4yo Lonhro Gelding ‘Sghirripa’ is currently the short-priced favourite ($2) to make it back-to-back wins after taking out the Listed Xmas Stakes last start at Caulfield.

The track is currently a Good 4 but could end up being a Good 3 on Saturday with the warm weather in the days leading in.

The running rail is out 4m and should see the track play evenly, as it so often does at Flemington.

 

 

Flemington Tips and Best Bets

Flemington Race 7 #3 Kind Gesture $7.50

It was an excellent run first-up this preparation, when missing the start by 2 lengths and still running 3rd behind ‘Watadeel’ and ‘Von Hauke’ at this track in a Benchmark-90.

He did not handle the wet track at his previous start when running last in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes.

He now gets back onto a firm track here and comes into this third-up, where she is a win and a placing from 2 runs at this stage of his preparation.

Has had two jump-outs since at Cranbourne and Pakenham and looked sharp in both. 

Gets top jockey Damian Lane aboard for the ride and should be running home strong to be right in the finish here. 

 

Flemington Race 10 #4 Forbidden City $10.00

Comes out of the same race as previous tip ‘Kind Gesture’ and she was good in that event, finishing 5th. 

Has been lightly-raced for most of this preparation and hasn’t run since December 2nd. 

Surprisingly, has not had a trial or jump-out since that run but you can trust the stable to keep this mare up at home. 

She will greatly appreciate the drop in grade here and gets Luke Nolen back aboard, who has a superb record of 2 wins and a placing from 3 rides. 

She is drawn wide but should be able to follow ‘Jungle Jim’ and ‘Ebony King’ to get across from the wide barrier and settle a few pairs back from the pace. 

An excellent price and looks very well placed to be a winning contender here.

 

There are loads of Flemington tips for Saturday's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at thegreattipoff.com.