Flemington Racing Preview – July 20 by Nick Foot

Race 1 – 2YO Handicap (1800 METRES)

#2 Politely Dun

2YO by Dundeel for Danny O’Brien who closed off nicely LS in the Taj Rossi Series Final. He was well back in a slowly run race and I thought he closed off better than the market danger, STAY SILENT, which suggests the step up to 1800m is going to be a big plus. I think the market has these two the wrong way around and Damian Lane will be pretty keen to pinch one early to extend his lead in the Jockey Premiership.

Suggested Bet: Win

Race 2 – 3YO Hcp (1700 METRES)

#2 Le Zebra

Very good run LS in the Silver Bowl Series Final. Struck some interference at the start, before being held up for clear running from the 500-300m, once clear closed off strongly crossing the line with CRAIG. He was 3rd up in that race and 4 weeks between runs. That will have him topped up beautifully now for a crack at 1700m.

Suggested Bet: Win

Race 3 – 2YO Hcp (1000 METRES)

#5 Scampi

This is a handy late season 2YO race. FIRST SETTLER and GALLANT SON won their respective maidens in nice fashion and given the recency of both efforts, I expected the market to gravitate towards them. SCAMPI looks the forgotten runner in this field entering his third racing preparation. His last run was in February in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes behind COLEMAN and ENEEZA. The run had a stack of merit as it was a fast deck and suited those runners back towards the inside. His latest trial was a lovely piece of work, going through the line under a stranglehold.

Suggested Bet: 1×3 Stake

Race 5 – 3YO Handicap(1400 METRES)

#4 Freak of Nature

2/2 this campaign and is progressing nicely for Jason Warren and his team. FUP at Ballarat he was caught deep throughout before looping the field and running away with a soft 4.5L victory in 58 company. He then backed it up that performance at Sandown where he was again caught wide in the early stages before leading and showing a strong kick to win. Will likely kick up and box seat here and looks a very good EW proposition.

Suggested Bet: Each-Way

Race 8 – 4:20PM VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000 METRES)

#6 Cadmus

LS winner that looks really well placed in this off a 5 week freshen up. He was the beneficiary of a strong tempo when winning at Sandown last time out over 1800m with a commanding run down the centre of the track, he was home in the Fastest L6-4-200m of the race and the step to 2000m at Flemington looks ideal.

Suggested Bet: Win

Best Bet – R8 #6 Cadmus

Best Value – R3 #5 Scampi