Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington is an outstanding early spring card with plenty of deep betting races to sink our punting teeth into.
The third race on the card is one of many interesting betting contests but the winner, as sneaky as he claims to be, is out in the open in the view of the Melbourne Mail.
There was nothing surreptitious at all about the first up win of Mr Sneaky, long a promising horse but now ready to deliver above and beyond the Benchmark 78 company that he has taken care of at his latest couple.
At Caulfield, Mr Sneaky weaved his way from back in the field (almost sneakily) into a striking position at the corner, where another duel with former rival Theanswermyfriend looked all set to ensue, but Mr Sneaky dropped the stealth from there, his closing sectionals anything but subtle.
Mr Sneaky put a margin between him and the chasing pack and the speed he showed in his closing splits point to him being a good couple of lengths better than the bare result - a bare result that already has him at the forefront of thinking this weekend.
Later on the card the staying race is a fascinating contest between several spring hopefuls - and one that has been there done that in Almandin.
It was hard not to be a bit taken by the return of Almandin, Timeform ratings hint at him being back better than ever this time in, but he faces several stablemates looking to follow in his footsteps here and there is betting appeal among them.
It's a bit surprising that Crocodile Rock comes up favourite in the early markets with Hans Holbein on the quick back one that really interests.
He was good in a strong race first up at the Valley and then found himself more passively ridden and beaten for speed last week. That looks a set up run for the return to Flemington and the return to 2500m where he was so dominant (admittedly v much weaker opposition) back in the autumn.
If Hans is going to make a name for himself this spring he has to be doing something here and we think he's a better chance of doing that than the $7.50 suggests.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 3 #12 Mr Sneaky @ $3.20
Each Way Play: Race 8 #6 Hans Holbein @ $7.50
