FLEMINGTON                   Saturday October 7

It’s Winx day at Flemington, her first appearance on Australia’s premier track and expect Melbournian sports fans to share the moment. Typical deep Flemington meeting with this program scheduled to provide springboards to the Cup week majors but the job is to deliver with what’s on offer Saturday and make notes for future off that. Track will be Flemington firm, rail out 9m (was 14m last Wednesday week), not expecting bias.

BEST BET: Race 7 #1 ALMANDIN

BEST VALUE: Race 2 #10 HULME

Race 1: 11-3-6-8

Going with the proven juvenile producing stables here. Liked the trial and better the subsequent straight jumpout of SUNLIGHT ($300k Zoustar) for Tony McEvoy but obviously it’s a race of difficulty re the punt and learning for the future. GRAND CHALLENGE (Lindsay Park team, a $220k Not A Single Doubt colt) was good in trial (albeit wet track) and then had a jumpout to measure alongside SCOTTISH ROGUE. LADY BITHIAH (Moshe) looked a natural running 2YO in recent Caulfield jumpout.

Suggested: Not that keen to play but happy to recommend SUNLIGHT on what we have seen to date.

Race 2: 10-2-7-11

Really like this horse HULME. As we watched Royal Symphony duck and dive through to win, this horse – at only 2^nd start was charging from back. Drawn better here and want to be with him despite quality of opposition. SIRCCONI will eliminate any bad luck with its advantageous racing pattern, and now back in form. ESPERANCE wants the 1400m and box seats you’d imagine.  Nolen can’t ride two but rode top pick as well as RELLSON last time..

Suggested: Reckon HULME wins a big race this spring – starting here.

Race 3: 11-9-1-6

Derby preview for many of these but not leaving the maiden WEATHER WITH YOU. Was ok 1400m to 1800m when a dash home and certainly better for that and gets D Lane here, (not to mention the genius of M Baker). MAIN STAGE comes through the same race but possied up and had every chance but not knocking its progression. CLIFF’S EDGE is from a different form line and capitalised on good run Caulfield to win, should get same here. ABERRO had the tempo of the Tavistock Abbey race against and better placed here. Certainly including ANIMALIA in main thoughts.

Suggested:  Stick with WEATHER WITH YOU.

Race 4: 4-6-7-1

Don’t really like this race –the  trick is lack of tempo – but may become a typical sit and dash straight race home –  but have to go with SPIETH given his experience up the Flemington straight, could this be the day a race maps out well for him – alley a positive (I hope). SILENT SEDITION is a G1 winner  (beating Star Turn) and draws alongside Speith . BONS AWAY had the momentum at Caulfield but beat an Everest bound runner and can’t ignore winning form. THE QUARTERBACK won this last year and obviously a Newmarket winner so well placed at conditions.

Suggested: Hard to be tipping you into SPEITH at the odds but I am!

Race 5: 2-1-3-4

Don’t really need to explore much here when WINX goes for #21 in a row. No Red Excitement like speed here, wouldn’t matter. Tempo ok with Assign. Wouldn’t matter.  She is going better than ever and she’s better in Melbourne anyway leading on her near leg. Wouldn’t matter. Get out and watch her, tune in and cheer. HUMIDOR is as good a thing to run 2^nd. Wouldn’t matter. But keep eye on VENTURA STORM. We’ll start talking about him soon heading into the Cups. He’s flying.

Suggested: Enjoy the 21^st straight win – Winx.

Race 6: 4-5-9-1

LEATHER’N’LACE continues to improve and super strong end of 1400m in dominant Caulfield display. WATCHMESPIN back to fillies here and ready to step out past this trip towards Oaks but stable flys at home track and she is good filly. UPTOWN GAL was good (at 100-1) chasing top pick last time and PURE SCOT came from last there and looked good late. Not sacking top pick stablemate ANCHOR BID back to the 1600m here but still bruised by lack lustre finish here last time.

Suggested:  LEATHER’N’LACE to win.

Race 7: 1-4-3-11

Well how could you tip or bet against ALMANDIN of what we saw last time at this track and trip – and has 1kg less, hence meet those behind better! It’s cruel for them. AMELIE’S STAR will beat HARLEM home off Caulfield run but doubt gets near the superior stayer Almandin. After that, something can run fourth, Maybe the fit and sterling trier YOGI who was sound trying to chase Almandin – as they all were.

Suggested: ALMANDIN wins again. Take the black odds now.

Race 8: 16-9-14-5

Reckon this is finally a race of tempo that sees PETITION produce its best, can get into good trailing lane here and only time het 1400m was impressive winner. Tempo against last time when MERRIEST won (who races better at Caulfield than Flemington). MISSROCK is a G1 performer who didn’t get it so easy at Caulfield and shapes well to get run and run out a strong 1400m. NOW OR LATER is the value, excellent return unsuitable race Caulfield and 1400m to suit. ECKSTEIN looks a read- made Flemington 1400m horse.

Suggested: Keen on Petition.

Race 9: 12-13-4-11

Wow this is tough. Going WYNDSPELLE who has produced some good sectionals two Australian runs to date and thinking Flemington to suit. But no firm opinion. Fan of PURE PRIDE – tempo no help in tougher race last time when those (good ones) on speed dominated. CHARMED HARMONY eliminates risk. MONGOLIAN WOLF is unbeaten fresh. NEW TIPPERARY has exemplary 2^nd-up record.

Suggested: Load quaddie and have a little each way on WYNDSPELLE.

QUADDIE

1st leg:    1-3-4-5-9-12

2nd leg:   1

3rd leg:     1-4-5-9-14-16

4th leg:      4-8-12-13

                     $144 for 100%