2/11/19 Flemington tips and best bets: Kennedy Cantala

An outstanding field of high quality milers have assembled here for the Kennedy Cantala, with the top Sydney and Melbourne form-lines again clashing.

The Epsom Handicap appears to be the superior guide. I have found one who comes via this race and looks perfectly set-up by the Waller camp.

Betting moves could prove an excellent guide close to jump and any significant late money should be respected. 

 Flemington Track Traits

For the latest insight into how the Flemington track is likely to play, read our preview of the Victoria Derby here.  

 Racing Market Movers

Chief Ironside is the early market mover. After attracting good support at $13, he is now into $11.

Race favourite Night's Watch remains rock solid at $6.50.

 Key Runners

#1 Best Of Days $17

Defending champion of this race, who was excellent at Moonee Valley last start when placing 3 of 11 in the Crystal mile.

He was hard in the market late on that occasion, courtesy of what appeared to be active professional money.

This is slightly harder, but a repeat of the Valley effort would see him go very close again. Leading chance. 

#3 Fifty Stars $19

Was a definite pass mark in the Epsom Handicap, when he was held up before running home well when clear to finish 8 of 19.

He will be close enough in the run from a good draw (gate 3) and if they don't go fast, he will be in the A1 position to strike.

Could surprise a few at odds here. 

#4 Life Less Ordinary $19 

Was well backed from $9.00 into $7.50 two starts ago, and again supported to win last start in the Craven plate when he finished 3 of 8.

I love him from an SP profile and the Waller camp clearly have a high opinion of him. 

He will get back from the wide draw in gate 19 and need luck, however the $19 odds still appears great value. Top hope. 

#5 Royal Meeting $12

Travelled wide in the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield, yet he was still strong late when finishing a credible 3 of 9.

I have to doubt the strength of that form-line here, as it simply doesn't stack up against the Sydney big guns coming via the Randwick features. No. 

#6 Fierce Impact $7.00

Won well at Caulfield last start in the Group One Toorak Handicap. It looked like a blessed run however, after he travelled midfield in the moving line with cover.

Well found by every mug and his dog now, which is usually the best time to jump off from a betting angle.

No doubt he can win, however I doubt you will see any of the professionals diving into the current $7.00. Avoid. 

#7 Cliff's Edge $12 

Loves to roll along on-speed and has drawn favourably in gate 2 to do just that.

The big threat is if Streets Of Avalon fires up and decides to challenge. In any case, John Allen could move to plan B and take the trail just in behind that runner.

His fate may be known early and if a speed battle develops between the two, I doubt he can hold on late. 

#8 Night's Watch $6.50 

Has a strong SP profile, where he was very heavily backed in the Toorak last start before just missing to finish 2 of 18.

If the money comes again which I suspect it will, expect him to run another huge race.

I can make a strong case that he should have won last start after being held up at a crucial stage around the 200m mark.

With more luck, he can go one better here. 

#11 Sikandarabad $15

Was only 0.9 lengths off Chief Ironside at Moonee Valley in the Crystal Mile and has genuine claims based on that alone.

With fitness now peaking, he can roll forward to race closer. If he finds the moving line towards the front half of the field, he could be hard to hold out.

Leading fancy.

#12 Cascadian $12

Has carried a boom all throughout this prep and delivered on the hype last start by winning the Spring Mile at Randwick.

He loves to get well back before charging home late. If the pattern at this stage of the day is wide and swooping, he'll be starting much shorter.

Will need the breaks to come and some luck from gate 20, but this is certainly not beyond him.

#13 Rock $9.00

Also brings Sydney Epsom form from last start, where he was well in the market on that occasion before finishing 5 of 19.

He has had a rapid rise through the ranks and I just feel that this hot race comes too soon for him.

Lightweight hope who will need a fast run race to get home hard. 

#14 Star Of The Seas $9.50

Sets up perfectly for this with the strong Sydney form-lines and gun combination of Waller and M Walker.

He was outstanding in the Epsom when placing 3 of 19, where he was heavily backed late.

The timing looks ideal fourth-up and from the good draw in gate 5, Walker can have him anywhere he chooses. Goes on top. 

#15 Chief Ironside $13 > $11 

Won the Crystal Mile at great odds of $26 last start and does drop significantly in weight (6kg) for this.

No reason why he can't go back-to-back, although he is now well exposed to the market and the price could be a shade unders.

A must include, however I have a few ahead of him from a price angle. 

Of The Others

#18 Admiral's Joker has won four on end in much weaker grade, however if he gains a start (currently second emergency) it would not completely shock.

Watch betting late for a further lead. 

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