Flemington: March 2nd Preview by Dean McHugh

Race 1: Resimax Group Plate (1100m)

Seven horses will head down to post for the opening race of the day, and the race looks set to be between Sans Doute, Tintookie and Cinderella Days. 

Of the three, it could be worth siding with Sans Doute, who comes into the race with two successive victories. Cinderella Days has spent the last few races in Group company and could appreciate the step down in grade here. 

Race 2: The Flemington 2000 (2000m)

Ten horses have been declared for this year’s renewal of The Flemington 2000, and Aramco looks to be the one they will all need to beat. 

A winner of three of his ten career starts, he was desperately unlucky to have been defeated in his last start and looks ideally placed to add another victory to his impressive resume here. 

If looking to take Aramco on, the play could be Kettle Hill. Having won two of his last three contests, he is ideally drawn and should be up with the pace throughout. 

Race 3: VRC Punters Group Sprint (1200m)

The third race of the day looks like one of the most competitive races of the entire card, and a whole host of horses look to have a great chance of victory. 

Big Watch and Master Montaro have to be a must for any shortlist due to their recent victories. Both arrive at Flemington in great form and should be capable of another big run.

Ivan’s Hero has won and placed at this level numerous times and will head into the race, having enjoyed a four-month break. If fit and ready to fire, he could be a solid contender at a decent price. 

The same can be said of Shove Over, whose win last time out came in a lesser grade but certainly looks to have given him more than an outside chance here. 

Race 4: Furphy Trophy (1000m)

Despite thirteen runners having been declared for this year’s Furphy Trophy, most of the pre-race focus has revolved around Bold Bastille.

A winner of the 2023 Inglis Banner on debut, she pulled up lame after the 2024 Sportsbet Diamond Blue Prelude, and her sixth-place finish should be overlooked. 

Having reported fit and ready, she could take all of the beating here. 

Drifting was a good winner on debut but will need to run another career best if she is to land a blow in this company. 

Race 5: Off The Track Sprint (1100m)

Another tricky handicap marks the halfway point of Flemington’s Saturday card. 

Peace Treaty has won three of her first four career starts and impressively won from off the front last time out and will hope to repeat the trick here. 

Moesha has just had one career victory to date but has raced in some competitive Group contests. Back in grade, she could rate as a massive danger to all in the field.

Race 6: Good Friday Appeal Plate (1600m)

Another Wil has had a fantastic start to his career, winning three of his first five races, and he will start as the short-priced favourite for victory here. 

Ideally drawn, he could take some serious stopping.

Although Another Wil may have too much class for the rest, Ceerseven and Magnaspin could be worth backing at a price and look well-placed to challenge. 

Race 7: Inglis Sprint (1200m)

With $550,000 up for grabs for the winner of the Inglis Sprint, it isn’t surprising to see nineteen runners have been entered. 

Races with this many runners can always throw up surprises, and at a big price, Ouroboros could be worth a second look. He has only just won one of his six career starts but has finished as a runner-up in both of his last two races and he could go close once again. 

Caballus and Estriella will be popular in the market due to their recent good form, and it could also be worth siding with Mumbai Muse, who should give you a good run for your money. 

Race 8: Howden Australian Guineas (1600m)

The Australian Guineas is one of the most prestigious races in the Australian racing calendar, and this year’s race looks fascinatingly poised.

Riff Rocket has already tasted Group 1 success, which includes a victory in the 2023 Victoria Derby. With five wins from eight career starts, he looks primed to add another big prize to his burgeoning collection.

Veight is likely to be the best of the rest. A Group 2 winner, he hasn’t quite been able to land a Group 1 race, but if things land right, he certainly has a chance.

If looking to back one at a price, Snow Patrol could be a contender. A winner of the Group 2 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes a few weeks ago, he arrives in great form and could pull off the shock. 

Race 9: TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m)

Fifteen horses will head down to post for the Group 2 Tab Blamey Stakes. 

Ayrton and Atishu are both prominent performers at this level and may well jump off as joint-favourites. However, both will arrive slightly out of form and will need to find some significant improvement. 

One horse that was a winner last time out was Makram, and he could be ready to win a race of this nature. Carini is another who can’t be ignored. 

Race 10: The Schweppes Plate (1400m)

The day will end with another competitive handicap where He’s Our Bonneval will start as the slight favourite. 

A consistent performer at this level, he hasn’t won in his last eight starts and could be vulnerable. 

So Risque has two wins from his last six starts and is another who is tried and tested at this level. He looks a great alternative. The same can be said of Sandy Prince, who was a winner when last seen and could land another victory.