Flemington Race 2

One of the better betting races at Flemington. The ‘Cock has slashed this down to a two-horse race, with favourite Kings Will Dream (5) rating on top from Wheal Leisure (6) with daylight to the next best rated runners.

Kings Will Dream (5) is shaping up as a real horse to follow in the spring as he most likely targets the Caulfield Cup and other handicapped staying races. Has got better with each run in Australia, remaining undefeated here for trainer Darren Weir. Should take full benefit of a likely moderate tempo as he’ll settle in the first couple and take a power of beating.

If he was however to not show his best, Wheal Leisure (6) is a real danger. Stayer that was specked at odds when left flat footed against some classy middle distance runners over 1400m first-up at Caulfield. Rise in trip and coming to Flemington are both huge ticks. Trained by one of the most underrated trainers in the land (Archie Alexander), she is a great bet at $5.50+ ($7.00 available in early markets).

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Bazooka time, have big bet on Kings Will Dream (5) at Best of the Best and medium sized bet on Wheal Leisure (6) at $7.00 with Bet 365 (or at Best of the Best if price is gone).

The Newmarket Handicap

Redzel steering away has blown this year’s G1 Newmarket Handicap wide open, with the 3yo Merchant Navy (11) coming up the $5.00 favourite in early markets from last start G1 winners Redkirk Warrior (1) and Brave Smash (2) around the $7.00 mark.

The early speed in this will come from Thronum (7) and Lord Of The Sky (3) ensuring it is run along at a fast clip. This is a race The ‘Cock is fond of as it was the scene of his infamous 1992 double, where he coupled up the flying grey sprinter Schillaci into Hawthorn to win the Fosters Cup to collect a fortune.

He is keen to continue his trend of finding the winner in the Newmarket and is confident ***************************************************** *************** can surprise, with current odds in early markets huge overs.

Another value option will be Thronum (7), who looked to have pinched the G1 Orr Stakes before being swallowed up late. First time down the straight is a small concern however she maps to lead this field and at her current $13 price in early markets, she is also excellent shopping.

Redkirk Warrior (1) was brilliant winning the G1 Lightning Stakes last start over Redzel and he is also the reigning G1 Newmarket winner from last year (was first-up on that ocassion). Issue is he has a familiar pattern of peaking off the charts first-up then dipping viciously second and third-up. He is too good to completely risk but at $7.00 or lower, he does look under the odds.

Best of the rest is Brave Smash (2), who will really be a threat should the speed be on and he gets the breaks late in the race to storm over the top. He should get out to backable odds of $9.00+ by raceday.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

Have a real good go at ********************************************* the $** on offer (or more if you utilise boost products) is excellent odds for a runner that The ‘Cock has marked favourite. Smaller bets on Thronum (7) at $13+ and Brave Smash (2) at $9.00+.

Randwick Guineas

The ‘Cock dedicated hours of study to this years edition of the Randwick Guineas and he is very confident with his assessment of Kementari (3) as the leading chance in the race following his two consecutive wins at group level coming in.

He will be one of the runners going forward to set a hot early tempo with Siege Of Quebec (11) & Trapeze Artist (2) alongside, but the $2.50 on offer at the moment is slight unders compared to The ‘Cock’s $3 tag.

Peaceful State (7) produced a big effort behind Grunt in the Australian Guineas at Flemington last Saturday and should put in another strong run on the seven-day turnaround, with The ‘Cock loving the $13 top quote for him in early markets.

Expect that price to be crunched before long, with The ‘Cock having virtually no gap between him, Pierata (5) & D’argento (10).

Recommended Betting Strategy:

This is a good race to be getting involved in via a medium sized stake on Kementari (3) in Best of the Best circles, with a dose of Peaceful State (7) at the $13 your recipe for a fill-up.