The action comes thick and fast around the country on Saturday. The form has been done and the team are ready to kick-start the massive day ahead.
Doomben Race 4 Tip #1 Prince Of Boom $2.50
This Robert Heathcote galloper was the 2YO star of the Brisbane winter carnival, bolting in on debut before spanking his rivals in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic.
His bubble burst at his first try at 1400m in the Group 2 Sires, though he did have excuses as he was forced to work three wide the trip.
The gelding won his recent trial, before having no luck again when first-up when sitting three wide the trip.
He did finish fourth to Startantes, who he clashes with again here and gets a 2kg swing in his favour from their last encounter.
From barrier 3, look for hoop Luke Dittman to keep him out of trouble and take him straight to the front where he can dictate the pace.
With that run under is belt, we should get a taste of what’s to come from this boom horse, before he goes on to bigger and better things.
Flemington Race 2 Tip #2 Ingratiating $2.00
This Godolphin gun was in the top handful of two-year-olds in the land. Based on his first-up win in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield, he’s come back an even better horse as a three-year-old.
In that race, he sat back and rounded his rivals up in the concluding stages for what proved to be a comfortable victory. He ran the fastest last 400 metres for the meeting, getting home in 22.18 seconds.
He’s a winner down the straight and there should be good speed in this, which suits him. Look for Damien Oliver to time his run to perfection again on this exciting colt.
Kembla Grange Race 6 Tip #9 Marboosha $9.50
This 4YO Dream Ahead mare enters this contest on the back of a long 18 week spell.
As a 3YO, she broke through to record two Stakes wins at Listed and Group 3 level both in Melbourne and Queensland.
She really caught my eye in a trial on August 20, where she flew home into third behind The Everest runner Lost and Running.
That trial was stacked with talent, including Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside.
Her trial form suggest she'll be ready to fire fresh and she's drawn perfectly in barrier 5 for this clash.
With a lot of her competitors having an eye on bigger races this Spring, she has a great opportunity to win this first-up clash.
Sam Clipperton takes the reigns and from the draw, should get a lovely sit midfield.
Look for him to peel her into the spacious Kembla straight, to give her every hope.
Doomben Race 8 Tip #1 Soxagon $3.30
Resumes here fresh off a 34 week spell.
He has had a couple of trials in the lead up, with the latest an eye catcher in the heavily publicised Alligator Blood trial.
This gelding has a good fresh record (5:2.1.0) and whilst this is short of his best distance, this is a very winnable race to start his campaign.
The stable is flying and worth following.
Belmont Race 2 Tip #7 Red Hot Hope $8.50
The well related Red Hot Hope steps out on Saturday for his fifth career start.
First-up last prep he ran within 2 lengths of General Grant, a horse that has since won two in a row.
Furthermore, he has mixed it with Brave Angel and Brave Dream who are both flying right now.
This race on paper looks to be the easiest he will have met so far, with no budding stars in the line-up.
He has drawn barrier 1 but has shown a tendency to get back in his races, so expect him to settle a few pairs back the fence.
He does have a big finish, so as long as there is a fair track this week that will be no issue.
Once this gelding knocks off his maiden, watch him move on to bigger and better things.
Echuca Race 4 Tip #8 Lord Of The Sun $ - TBD
This American Pharoah gelding caught the eye in his first jump-out at Flemington.
He was hardly tested, but was matching motors with horses that have gone on to win races.
Behind him was Emissary, an import who nearly won at Sandown on Wednesday.
The next trial was against horses which have already proven that they're better than maiden grade.
Expect him to break the maiden shackles here.