Flemington hosts a big Group 1 double on Saturday with both the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup taking centre stage.
In the feature event, the Newmarket Handicap, I am with a star who will unleash hell late, running all over the top of them inside the final 50m.
Whilst in the Group 1 Australian Cup, a Bjorn Baker runner is set to peak and I won't be missing out on the generous odds!
The Flemington track is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail out 5m for the entire circuit.
Fine conditions are predicted for the remainder of the week and on Saturday.
The wide-open spaces of Flemington typically give all runners their chance.
However as always refer to the early races for a good guide on track bias.
The Map
The Early Favourite
Home Affairs ($3.80) is all quality and dripping in class, following the ultra impressive performance in the Black Caviar Lightning.
There will be more pressure here than last start and he will need to time the run to perfection.
He is an exciting horse who has the runs on the board now. He will run well however is no spoil at the price.
Best Racing Tips
I'm with the back-makers here who can capitalise on the warp speed tempo up front. Artorius has a lethal sprint and if the speed goes on, he will be unleashing hell late. Goes on top.
Masked Crusader is a similar profile to Artorius in terms of racing pattern, and is another that will relish the hot speed. He will be stalking the entire trip and darting through inside the final 50m.
Lost And Running is absolutely flying and could not have been more dominant last start at Randwick when backed off the map. He still has some improvement to come and could be peaking on the right day here. Big danger to the top two.
Home Affairs is clearly talented however is very well found by the mugs, coming out of the Lightning Stakes here last start. This is harder and with added pressure he could be found out late. Classy however some risk at the price.
The Map
The Favourite
Think It Over ($3.00) is backing up following a "gut-buster" on the Heavy surface at Randwick last start.
He also tackles Flemington for the first time and although some may feel he is better suited, they can get lost in their first try at the new venue.
At the price I'm happy to risk on this occasion.
Best Racing Tips
I'm with She's Ideel who only just missed (0.2 lengths) last start at Randwick behind champion mare Verry Elleegant. That is excellent form for this race and she may still have some improvement to come. Looks big odds.
Spanish Mission copped a shocking ride from Glen Boss to round out last prep when given no hope tracking the slow speed at Caulfield as $1.40 favourite. Since then, he has returned with a slashing first-up run here when drove late to just miss. Can improve and win.
Duais has plenty of quality and is already a Group 1 winner of the Queensland Oaks, hence will run this 2000m right out. A strong tempo would suit and if they pour on the pressure up front, she should be charging at them all late.
Yonkers typically has a good win in him each prep and comes up huge odds here. He was ok last start at Caulfield when only just missed (0.5 lengths) behind Cascadian. Waller will have a plan to peak him third-up here. Beware!