2017 Finals Day Preview & Tips

2017 Finals Day will take place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, boasting nine talent-rich races and headlined by four black type features.

Royal Symphony is favourite to win the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Royal Symphony is favourite to win the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Some of the best horses currently in work have been confirmed to race at Flemington on Finals Day and we have analysed every runner in detail, in order to help you find a winner.

The Finals Day action is set to get underway with the running of the Rivette Series Final (1600m) at 11:45am, however the first black type race will not be contested until 1:30pm.

Race 1 (11:45am) Rivette Series Final (1600m)

Twelve three-year-old fillies have been confirmed in an impressive field for the Rivette Series Final. Soho Ruby (barrier 2) has drawn ideally into this field, but has been charged with overcoming a 60kgs topweight. Ruby Sea (barrier 9) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and is arguably the filly to beat, and jockey Luke Nolen should have plenty of options from a wide draw. Spanish Reef (barrier 5) also carries winning form into the race at taking out a Sandown maiden race on June 28th, and represents terrific value at current odds. Sognani (barrier 6) has yet to find peak condition this time, but is far better than her long-odds quote suggests and is an each-way chance.

Tip: No. 1 Soho Ruby – Each Way ($6/$2.25)

Race 2 (12:20pm) VRC-CRV Cup Tour Trophy (2000m)

Not one of the twelve horses confirmed in the field for the VRC-CRV Cup Tour Trophy field carries winning form into the race and subsequently, it is an extremely open race from a betting perspective. Darren Weir will saddle four in the race, including Killarney Kid (barrier 2) and Master Zephyr (barrier 9). The former was outstanding last preparation and if he can recapture some of that form, he will be tough to beat under the conditions of this race, while the latter is always dangerous in races like this. Show A Star (barrier 7) has steadily built to the task this time and will enjoy the conditions of this race, while veteran Extra Zero (barrier 11) will make his 102nd start in the race and is not without a chance.

Tip: No. 2 Extra Zero – Each Way ($12/$3.60)

Race 3 (12:55pm) Leilani Series Final (1400m)

Eleven mares will contest the Leilani Series Final and there is a case to be made for close to every runner. Tsaritsa (barrier 1) has been reasonably inconsistent this time, but she savaged the line for second over the 1400m course at Flemington last time out and should improve into this race. Schism (barrier 6) was a comfortable winner of the same race and a repeat effort would see her extremely tough to beat once more in this event. Phoenix Park (barrier 9) has won four races this time in, albeit at lesser grades, but is not without a chance of a successful transition into this company on Saturday. Hell Or Highwater (barrier 2) is ready to peak and could receive the run of the race from an inside draw.

Tip: No. 5 Schism ($3.70)

Race 4 (1:30pm) Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m)

Caulfield Guineas favourite Royal Symphony (barrier 2) will make his third career appearance in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final and should simply be too good for his rivals in this race. The Domesday colt was an easy winner at Pakenham on debut, before delivering a smart field a four length defeat in the Gippsland Region Handicap (1400m) on June 24th. Drawn ideally and with regular hoop Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, Royal Symphony should find little resistance in continuing his perfect career start. Main dangers include Madame Moustache (barrier 3), Mulk (barrier 6) and Evil Cry (barrier 10).

Tip: No. 1 Royal Symphony ($1.50)

Race 5 (2:10pm) Listed AR Creswick Series Final (1200m)

The second black type race of the day will take place when twelve sprinters line up for the AR Creswick Series Final. Ken’s Dream (barrier 11) has somewhat gone off the boil this time in, but is more than capable of winning this race if he brings his best form. Highland Beat (barrier 9) ran a credible third at his last start and should improve into this race, while Liberty Song (barrier 4) and Sacred Sham (barrier 12) are both live chances. Fast Stryke (barrier 8) has finished no worse than second through four starts this time and could be the horse to beat.

Tip: No. 2 Ken’s Dream – Each Way ($5/$2)

Race 6 (2:50pm) Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m)

Fourteen stayers will contest the Banjo Peterson Series Final, including Charlevoix (barrier 2). The four-year-old flew home to win the North East Region Handicap (2520m) against a good portion of the Banjo Paterson Series Final field last time out and should prove tough to beat once more. Ancient King (barrier 4) has been outstanding over the jumps this time in and will be seeking a fourth-consecutive race win on Saturday. The gelding is more than up to the class, but may struggle in returning to flat racing and dropping back in distance. Hursley (barrier 12) has steadily built to the task this time and would not look out of place in the winner’s circle.

Tip: No. 4 Charlevoix ($3.10)

Race 7 (3:30pm) Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m)

The feature race has drawn a capacity and outstanding field of racehorses and is undoubtedly shaping as the event of the day. Veterans Amovatio (barrier 10) and Kenjorwood (barrier 13) are both more than capable at the course and distance of this race, while Tshahitsi (barrier 16) has found excellent form this time in and is a genuine winning chance in this race. Lindsay Park has confirmed three genuine chances in Mihany (barrier 6), Petrology (barrier 3) and Sovereign Nation (barrier 12); the two latter both Group 2 winners at the distance. Cosmic Lights (barrier 15) faces a step up in class and has drawn into the Winter Championship Final field wide, but should be given the opportunity to run on well on the wide and long Flemington straight.

Tip: No. 8 Sovereign Nation – Each Way ($9/$3.40)

Race 8 (4:10pm) Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m)

Only twelve sprinters have been confirmed in the final field for the last black type race at Flemington on Saturday, however the depth of talent confirmed suggests that the race could be the most hotly-contested of the day. Husson Eagle (barrier 11) has relished straight-track racing previously and carries good and consistent form into the All Victorian Sprint Series Final, while Ability (barrier 9) is seeking a third-consecutive race win. Tashbeeh (barrier 1) is more than up to this class and while charged with carrying a race-high 60kgs, should find easy passage to the rails from his draw. Riziz (barrier 5), Rough Justice (barrier 10) and Camdus (barrier 2) are all more than capable.

Tip: No. 3 Husson Eagle – Each Way ($6.50/$2.30)

Race 9 (4:45pm) Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m)

A capacity field of horses will line up for the concluding race on Finals Day; the Silver Bowl Series Final. Kiwi import My Paisann (barrier 5) has shown plenty of ability through three starts this time in and could receive the run of the race from barrier 5. The Roc De Cambes filly flew home to beat a similar field to this last weekend and should only improve into the Silver Bowl Series Final. Willi Willi (barrier 12) faces a step up in class, but carries winning form into the race, while First Approach (barrier 11) has found good and consistent form through recent weeks and should find a good position off the early speed from his draw.

Tip: No. 3 My Paisann ($6)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.