Flemington Racing Preview – Saturday May 6th

Talented fields have been confirmed for nine races at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Saturday and while there is no black type feature events, there remains plenty of opportunities to find a winner.

Master Of Arts will be in action in Race 1 at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Master Of Arts will be in action in Race 1 at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Some of the season’s most exciting runners, as well as previous winners at the highest level of racing have been confirmed to make appearances at Flemington on Saturday and we have studied every runner in each race, in order to help you find a winner this weekend.

Race 1 (12:00pm) Chairman’s Club Handicap (1800m)

Twelve talented horses have been confirmed for Race 1 at Flemington on Saturday and there is a case to be made for nearly every horse in the field. Articus (barrier 12) is the early favourite to win the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane in just over a fortnight and is sure to have taken benefit from his first-up run in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on April 15th. Master Of Arts (barrier 1) has found winning form at black type level this time, but will step back from two miles into this field, while popular veteran Extra Zero should be perfectly suited to the conditions of the race, but has drawn into the field in the wide barrier 11.

Tip: No. 2 Master Of Arts – Each Way ($5.50/$2.15)

Race 2 (12:35pm) Vintage Crop Handicap (2800m)

Some of the season’s most consistent stayers will take their respective positions in the Vintage Crop Handicap field, including Purple Smile (barrier 3). Winner of last year’s Adelaide Cup, Purple Smile has yet to find his best form through three starts this time, but will relish a step up to 2800m. Mujadale should have no issue taking up the early pace in the race from barrier 6, while De Little Engine (barrier 10) will be able to take a position towards the tail of the field from a wide draw, before looking to swoop late. Valhalla Princess (barrier 1) has found terrific form this season and is seeking a third-consecutive win when she lines up on Saturday and has the noted advantage of over 54kgs in tow.

Tip: No. 3 De Little Engine ($3)

Race 3 (1:10pm) Phar Lap Club Plate (1100m)

Sixteen two-year-olds will make an appearance in race 3 at Flemington on Saturday and exactly half the field will make their competitive debuts in the 1100m sprint. Freeze Over (barrier 14) is the only horse to have tasted winning form in the entire field, while Black And Tan (barrier 11), I’ll Have A Bit (barrier 9) and Amastryker (barrier 2) all finished second at their last start.

Tip: No Bet

Race 4 (1:50pm) Comedy King Handicap (1400m)

Several notable horses are set to contest the Comedy King Handicap on Saturday, however the Ciaron Maher-trained Here To There (barrier 8) is the only to carry winning form into the race. Kaniana (barrier 12) is yet to find the condition which delivered several outstanding results in 2016, but the mare’s class is sure to count for plenty amongst this level of company third-up. Rose Of Virginia (barrier 13) has drawn the carpark, but has trialled well leading into this race, while The New Boy (barrier 7) has the ability to be right in the finish of this race, if he gets some luck in transit.

Tip: No. 3 Kaniana – Each Way ($21/$5.70)

Race 5 (2:30pm) Indian Summer Handicap (1200m)

Nigel Blackiston has a big opinion of Sneakers (barrier 3) and the classy Kiwi-bred filly carries winning form into her second-up appearance on Saturday. Sneakers failed to produce much through her debut preparation last spring, but she resumed for a dominant win in the Elvis BM64 (1300m) at Sandown on April 17th and will only improve into this race. Overstep is another horse that is sure to improve into the Indian Summer Handicap, but will need some pace early not to be blocked out from the rails draw, while Sallybrook should prove extremely tough to beat if she can find a good position in transit from barrier 12.

Tip: No.11 Sallybrook – Each Way ($21/$5.60)

Race 6 (3:10pm) TAB/ATA Celebrates Women Trainers Handicap (2000m)

Thirteen classy fillies and mares make up the field for race 6 at Flemington on Saturday and this is another event whereby a case can be made for nearly every runner. Yulong Baby (barrier 11) is undoubtedly one of the class mares of this field, but she has been charged with overcoming topweight and a wide draw. Godolphin mare Monogram (barrier 6) has shown plenty of ability through three starts this time in, while Zasorceress (barrier 5) has finished agonizingly-close several times since transferring to the care of Darren Weir and has surely found ideal conditions for a return to winning form this weekend.

Tip: No. 2 Zasorceress ($2.45)

Race 7 (3:50pm) Primacy Handicap (1400m)

Fifteen three-year-olds are slated to contest the Primacy Handicap on Saturday, in what is shaping as one of the more hotly-contested events on the nine race card. Placed in last year’s edition of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) most notably, Zamzam returned to the races for a credible fourth in the Race Services BM70 (1100m) on April 19th and has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from the run into this race. Soho Ruby (barrier 11) has finished second at her two most-recent starts and is treated well at the weights at only 54.5kgs, while Social Status should prove extremely tough to beat if she can overcome a wide draw (barrier 11).

Tip: No. 6 Zamzam – Each Way ($20/$5.80)

Race 8 (4:25pm) Sports Handicap (1000m)

The best field of the day at Flemington on Saturday is undoubtedly that of race 8; the Sports Handicap. Group 1 winner Under The Louvre (barrier 2) will make his return in the race, but will have to overcome a huge weight to win. Last start Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) winner Malibu Style will jump from the carpark (barrier 17) but is in exceptional condition, while Husson Eagle (barrier 16), Sirbible (barrier 1), Le Bonsir (barrier 6) and Gun Case (barrier 5) all have claims on winning the race. Reldas has quickly built to the task through two starts this time in and could very well receive the run of the race from barrier 3.

Tip: No. 3 Reldas – Each Way ($12/$4)

Race 9 (5:00pm) True Version Handicap (1600m)

Flemington’s Saturday races draw to a close with the running of the True Version Handicap over a mile. Kapset (barrier 9) returned to winning form via an outstanding performance at Caulfield a fortnight ago and the gelding should prove extremely tough to beat once more on Saturday, with regular hoop Ben Thompson aboard. Kansas Sunflower also returned to winning form at her last start and will enjoy carrying only 56kgs, from a good draw (barrier 2).

Tip: No. 3 Kapset ($7.50)

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.