Private Label has the talent to race well in this company
Photo by Racing and Sports
SR 1: (4) PRIVATE LABEL - Kembla Grange-trained gelding has the talent to race well in this company after encouraging efforts at his last two starts at Canterbury and Randwick. He worked to the line well when a close up fourth behind Coup Ay Tee over 1600m at Randwick on 9 July in a race that looks the best form reference for this event and the riding switch to claiming apprentice Blake Spriggs gives this gelding a handy weight advantage over others coming out of that race. Private Label is an excellent value gamble as he has the best Warwick Farm form, strong wet tracks stats and will be suited by the step up in distance.
SR 3: (1) SCHIFFER - This smart filly is a class above this field on what she displayed in her three starts in the summer when she beat subsequent Group One winner Benfica at Randwick and matched it with the brilliant Karuta Queen in her other two high rating races. Track conditions should not be a concern as she handled a soft track well when third in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast before spelling and missing the autumn looks to have served her well as she was very sharp barrier trial winner at Hawkesbury last week. Her preparation has her tuned to win first-up.
SR 6: (3) FOXSTAR - Talented mare is perfectly placed coming into this fillies and mares event for her third start of just her third campaign. She gets to 1600m for the first time this prep on her home track under conditions that will not present a problem as she has been in the placings in all her four starts on wet tracks. Out of a place just twice in her 13 starts, she hit a ratings peak when she won over this same course and distance when last in work and must be favoured by the return to her own sex after performing strongly in her two starts since resuming against tougher mixed gender fields over shorter trips.
ONES TO AVOID
SR 1: (1) ADROITLY - Stepping up in distance on his home track will be seen as a positive but sharp weight increase to carry 58kg will still be a challenge for him on a wet track.
SR 5: (4) SKYTRAIN - Has done little in his two starts since resuming to raise confidence that he can match it with a budding star like Rain Affair. Has blinkers back on but he has been a disappointment since his fall at Gosford last year.
FLEMINGTON - tips by Wayne Bristow
MR 2: (2) PIED A TERRE - Could not have been more impressive than winning on debut at the Valley. If anything will be even better at the 1400m and from a lovely barrier can sit exactly where he was first time around and charged over them. Is it possible that this has the smell of another Denman who was winning through the Melbourne winter before switching to Sydney and winning the Golden Rose?
MR 4: (5) BEL SPRINTER - On the same day as Pied A Terre, this 3yo was equally as striking over the 1000m. He was back near last and only got mobile on the turn which as we know is not far at MV. He made up lengths in the straight and swamped the leaders. Maybe, just maybe, he will be better balancing up down the straight and over 100m further. This field might mean we can back him.
ONES TO AVOID
MR 1: (6) STAR OF GISELLE - Backs up quickly but is 200m in trip. This seems a very competitive race with numerous hopes and she has some things against her this time. 1000m races are strange beasts and luck in running in essential but she doesn't look well weighted given those with claims.
Photo by Racing and Sports
BR 1: (8) LOVINGTHELIMELIGHT - Ex-kiwi mare who has raced very well since heading to Queensland. Quickly got to NMW class and ran very nicely into second spot. While this field is stronger, she is now carrying 51kg after the claim which is more important in races beyond a mile. Money will come for others and so we can get nice odds.
BR 7: (1) HUME - Should be ready to go now. Fitted right up and loves Eagle Farm. Perfectly drawn to save ground in the first half of the race, he is ready to peak in a Listed Race of dubious quality. Zabeels get better the further they go into a prep as well so he should contend.
ONES TO AVOID
BR 7: (2) FROZONE - Won a similar race a month back here but the extra 4kg will be very dangerous. In this competitive race, surely he can't get the luck he got two runs back. There are plenty of horses capable of making his life difficult.
MORPHETTVILLE - tips by Jason Hickson
AR 3: (3) HOMICIDE HANK - Handy galloper with a big finish. Was a third-up winner last time in and on his fast finishing third last time looks ready to return to that form. The big track and mile suits and although there's a lack of pace he'll be hitting the line hard.
AR 5: (2) BEYOND PARDON - Very honest galloper racing well in Victoria. Was desperate to find the rail at Flemington for the All Victorian Sprint Series Final and crossed to do so but just faded the final furlong for fourth behind Perturbo. Big class drops here and also drops nicely in weight after the claim. With 53.5kg he's clearly the one to beat.
ONES TO AVOID
AR 2: (1) SAMADHI - Locally trained youngster who led throughout to win on the Parks track last time. That was a midweek maiden and faces a tougher assignment here with a bigger weight, even after the claim and an awkward draw.
