We’re back to HQ on Saturday for a nine-race program that boasts talent and several quality betting races.
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The rail will be set out a whopping eleven metres around the entire course, while at publish we're faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
Read on for a tip in all nine races at Flemington.
RACE 1 - 11:50AM: Ken Cox Handicap (1420m)
Pisces is hard fit and rates as a key winning chance again at Flemington.
The Godolphin was an eye-catching winner at Newcastle back in May, and his last two efforts have heralded near misses in races at Randwick and down the straight here at Flemington.
The rise in trip at this point of his prep looks ideal.
2 Units Pisces
RACE 2 - 12:25PM: Boys To The Bush Community Trophy (2540m)
I'm inclined to give Mirzann one more chance when he steps out at HQ on Saturday.
Mirzann has made three appearances at the races since arriving in Australia, only just missing in a couple of bench contests at Caulfield and here at Flemington, but finishing down the order over 2000m at his latest.
With further improvement, getting out further in trip and back onto the big Flemington deck, this really does look a perfect race for him.
2 Units Mirzann
RACE 3 - 1PM: Rod Johnson Handicap (1620m)
Craig looks to have a very bright future and he looks well placed to win in town on Saturday.
The Territories gelding returned to action for a dominant win in maiden company out at Bendigo last month, while he was only just denied in a photo finish here a fortnight ago.
Fitter third up and from the good draw, he's my best bet on the program.
5 Units Craig
RACE 4 - 1:35PM: Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m)
Episodic has been near faultless this time in and rates as a key winning chance again.
The Tavistock mare returned to action for three-consecutive wins down in Adelaide, each a more difficult race than the one that preceded it, while she was only just denied by a smart Subliminal in BM70 company at Caulfield last time out.
I'm keen to see her stepping out at Flemington for the first time, while she drops noticeably in the weights under handicap conditions.
2 Units Episodic
RACE 5 - 2:10PM: 2024 Country Achiever Shane Fliedner (1100m)
I'm going to have something small on the second-up Inundation down the straight at HQ.
Inundation hasn't won a race for around 18 months, but he has been lightly raced and there is no doubt that he'll take improvement from his first run back in BM78 company at Sandown.
His second-up record is sharp, and this does look to be one of the more open races on the program, in my opinion.
1 Unit E/W Inundation
RACE 6 - 2:45PM: The David Bourke (1620m)
Munhamek is flying, and he can win again at Flemington on Saturday.
The Gold Rush winner did go a little astray as he was set some lofty targets in the autumn, but he was very impressive when well in the market in the Swan Hill Cup a couple of weeks ago.
He's fit and a mile at Flemington is perfect, while he gets some relief in the weights under Celine Gaudray.
2 Units Munhamek
RACE 7 - 3:25PM: VRC-CRV Trophy (1420m)
Tobaysure hasn't been seen at the races since November, but he flies fresh, and this looks a really nice campaign launchpad.
The Cable Bay gelding won the lucrative VOBIS Gold Star when resuming last spring, and his fresh record currently stands at 5:2-1-2.
A good barrier certainly enhances his chances, and this looks well within his grasp.
2 Units Tobaysure
RACE 8 - 4PM: Brian Beattie Handicap (2000m)
Kiwi raider Eliud hasn't drawn ideally into this field, but he has been in outstanding form across the ditch and I think he'll still take beating.
The Almanzor gelding hit the line to finish second in his first run back at Matamata back in April and hasn't taken a backwards step, recording consecutive and dominant wins at each of his last two.
2000m and Flemington look to suit, and the booking of Blake Shinn certainly doesn't hinder his chances.
3 Units Eliud
RACE 9 - 4:35PM: VRC Country Race Day Sprint (1100m)
The Black Cloud looks the one to beat in the last at Flemington on Saturday.
The Black Cloud has made just five appearances at the races since debuting, but she has more than stamped herself as one to follow by winning three times and finishing second on the other two occasions.
She's untested down the straight, but she gets plenty of ticks regardless.
2 Units The Black Cloud
