Flemington Review – Newmarket Handicap

Flemington Meeting Review

Date: 09/03/24

Track: Good 4

Rail: 4m

Race 1: 3yo – 1100m

Tempo: Went at a reasonable quick considering they normally sit up down the straight.

Race Overview: Really thought this race was going to rate better but the last 200m sectional was a little disappointing and overall time not flash.

Hedged ($2.60) – Really nice horse that I really liked coming into this race. I’m a little disappointed the race didn’t rate better but he was first up. I have faith in him.

Hanchi ($10) – Probably puts the slows on the quality of the race but ran well with big weight.

De Bergerac ($21) – Eligible for much easier races than this. Follow down in grade.

Last Word: De Bergerac the one to take out of a limited race.

HEDGED  have faith.

Race 2: Australian Cup Prelude – 1800m

Tempo: Went at a good clip for a small field.

Race Overview: Overall time was a length inside standard. Last 200m was slow. Race has rated on standard for the class.

Young Werther ($2.35) – Well ridden out in front and was the class runner in the race. Goes to an Australian Cup next start and I think Gold Trip (Or Mr Brightside) will destroy him.

Berkeley Square ($4.40) – Everyone has moved on from this horse haven’t they? If you haven’t, self report.

Last Word: The Australian Cup winner was not in this race.

YOUNG WERTHER  Australian Cup winner? Not too sure

Race 3: 3yo – 1400m

Tempo: Very slow in the early stages.

Race Overview: Ran home ok but blanket finish and overall time was poor.

Legacies ($6) – I have suspected she is limited for her last couple of starts. Had an absolute dream run here and, although she got the job done, I suspect this is her last win.

Vivy Air ($8) – First up and she really got going late. Will be better over more ground.

Vibrant Sun ($4.6) – Best thing about this horse is how strong it was in the market. Ran ok, and will be better over further. Has hope.

Last Word: Vivy Air and Vibrant Sun can be taken from this race… the others can be forgotten.

LEGACIES  this was her last win.

Race 4: Sires’ Produce – 1400m

Tempo: Went out a lot stronger tempo than race 3.

Race Overview: Margins ok. Time fair but there was wind affecting the circle races.

Traffic Warden ($5) – Jamie Kah can do wonders. This horse settled last in the Blue Diamond and jumps to the front here and demolished them. Great ride but race has rated poorly. The best 2yo’s are up in Sydney.

Rue De Royale ($3.70) – Held up early in the straight but never going to catch the winner. Still eligible for a maiden.

Bosustow ($7) – Shrewd bit of placement. Another who didn’t have much luck and look for him back in class.

Last Word: Ordinary bunch but Rue De Royale and Bosustow down in class can win.

BOSUSTOW  didn’t have much luck.

Race 5: Newmarket Handicap – 1200m

Tempo: Solid tempo.

Race Overview: I have this race rating really strongly. Good overall time with decent late sectionals.

Cylinder ($11) – I didn’t find him but, in hindsight, he fit the right profile to win this race. 3yo, down in weights etc. Not sure what he becomes and this may be his crowning moment.

Imperatriz ($2.7) – I have her holding her rating from the Lightning Stakes so that suggests to me this is as good as she goes. She’s not Black Caviar but shes the benchmark sprinter at the moment. Absolute moral in the William Reid.

Last Word: Really strong rating Newmarket handicap.

CYLINDER  had a moment.

Race 6: Kewney Stakes – 1600m

Tempo: Strong early tempo.

Race Overview: They went out quick and ran good late sectionals. The first 3 home have gone really good.

Autumn Angel ($4.80) – Good jockey change after last start debacle. Good filly and can win the Vinery in Sydney.

Basilinna ($21) – Big odds but split two good fillies in a high rating race. Don’t sleep on her.

Mollynickers ($4) – Just couldn’t get mobile at the right time unlike the winner. Don’t think the winner is any better than this filly but Autumn Angel probably has more scope distance wise. If Mollynickers was mine, I would take her to the Fillies and Mares Group 1’s in Sydney.

Last Word: Follow this race with confidence.

MOLLYKNICKERS  Sydney bound?

 Race 7: Shaftesbury Avenue – 1400m

Tempo: Went out the quickest of the 1400m races but jockeys were wary of the wind so they didn’t want to overdo it.

Race Overview: Really strong last 600m of this race has saved it.

Von Hauke ($8) – $11 into $8 and the market really wants to be with the Twin Perfection race from Caulfield on the 24^th.  Well ridden.

Amenable ($1.80) – Gelded leading into this campaign and I don’t think Damian Lane could have ridden him any better. I don’t think he is any better having had the snip but he ran well here. Can win races in this grade this campaign.

Last Word: Surprised this race rated ok.

Race 8: Matron Stakes – 1600m

Tempo: Slow tempo early.

Race Overview: Rated a length and a bit inside standard for the class. Little surprising.

Eternal Flame ($4.20) – Can’t fault her. Great ride by D.Lane after the early stages didn’t look flash. This is her level.

Unusual Culture ($3.6) – Disappointing. Happy to sack.

Last Word: Some of these might head up to Sydney but doubt they trouble the Sydney mares.

Horses to Follow:

• Hedged
• De Bergerac
• Vivy Air
• Vibrant Sun
• Autumn Angel
• Mollynickers