Flemington Tips: best bets and previews

Godolphin look to have the higher rating Benchmark 84 races at their mercy at Flemington on Saturday, with two great hopes.

The prices of both look acceptable with both horses still on the up and not having the greatest profiles yet. 

The 2000m event also adds interest and I have settled on one that was heavily backed last start and desperately unlucky not to finish first past the post.  

 

Race 6 Festive Season (BM 84) 1000m

There looks to be good speed engaged here, with a number of longer priced runners drawn wide and likely to be coming down the crown of the track or stand side.

This should set it up nicely for a number of run-on profiles, including Order Of Command (6) and Demolition (5) who will both be storming home late, from in behind.

Demolition (5) goes on top from a price perspective. He is slightly less exposed than the favourite, who was a well backed dominant winner at his last start and will be well found by the rank and file punter. 

Others who can take advantage of a high pressure race from back in the field are Prezado (3) and Saint Valorem (4). The former is a last start winner who was held in ultra high regard early in his career. A win for Prezado would not surprise on this occasion.  

Watch the market and if the strong push comes for the Godolphin runner, confidence will be sky high. Bet up on this one! 

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  Demolition *Special

2^nd  Order Of Command

3^rd  Prezado

4^th  Saint Valorem

 

Race 7 Yuletide (BM 84) 1400m

Haunted (4) will lead these and may get away with some cheap sections up front, provided gun rider Dwayne Dunn can rack and stack them.

Others who can be close to speed in a race that profiles to suit those in the front half are Lord Sundowner (8) and Superhard (2), who will both be in key striking positions. 

Haunted (4) was hard in the market late last start at Ballarat ($3.20 to $2.90) and duly saluted in a tough on-speed performance.

Expect the pro punters to come again, with the predicted moderate tempo sending their pricing models into overdrive in favour of this particular runner.

Best of the rest is Portman (11) who looks well over the odds at $21 here, following a luckless run last start when trapped wide and still kept coming. He is a must include for exotics.  

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  Haunted 

2^nd  Lord Sundowner

3^rd  Superhard

4^th  Portman

 

Race 8 Summer On The Lawn (BM 78) 2000m

Creedence (11) was backed off the map last start and clearly should have won on Pakenham Cup day, after shying close to the post when he appeared to have the leaders well covered. He will be storming home over the top late and is clear on top pick.

With only a moderate tempo predicted, those that push forward may be holding on for longer than expected, and this gives Top Prospect (1) (likely to be ridden closer) and Friedensberg (8) both a great chance to capitalise. 

Of the longer priced runners, it would not surprise to see Fontein Lad (5) shorten closer to jump. He runs for a stable that will bet up big if they know he is going well. Watch betting closely for any late move and bet accordingly.

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  Creedence 

2^nd  Top Prospect 

3^rd  Friedensberg

4^th  Fontein Lad

 

Race 9  Merry Xmas VRC Members (BM 78) 1200m

Speed looks even with Rox The Castle (15) the likely leader and a number of other speed runners drawn midfield and wider.

Expect them to split into two divisions for this straight six dash and at this stage of the day, the grandstand side may hold the advantage.

This is likely to suit Beacon (9), Usain Bowler (17) and Brahmos (11), who can all come down the outside in the predicted fast lane.

Look for Mastering (12) and Exceltara (1) to be storming home late over the top if the leaders pour on the pressure. 

Throw in Freehearted (6) at a price for all exotics, who is rock hard fit and should be competitive being from the heavyweight Darren Weir stable. 

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  Beacon

2^nd  Usain Bowler

3^rd  Brahmos

4^th  Freehearted