Racing returns to headquarters on Saturday as Flemington hosts racing on the first day of October.
There are nine races scheduled with the first race kicking off at 12:40 on a predicted Soft5 surface.
The highlight of the day is the running of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
Brendan Bunworth brings you his best bets for the day!
Flemington Racing Tips: Saturday October 1st
Race 2
(7) Visinari resumes for Mick Prince & Michael Kent Jnr and showed a lot of promise last campaign and did race well fresh. The grey gelding has had two solid recent jumpouts so will be fit enough and does go well on any surface. Before spelling he almost got there behind Tuvalu when second. He hit the front with 50m to go but hit a wall, hence the spelling after that run. He always seems to race in races where there is a close finish and I expect this to be the same today with him in front. He looks smart, has Jamie Kah on board and is only carrying 54kg.
(2) Character returns from New South Wales for a Spring campaign and although he raced poorly on Soft ground last time, he does usually handle it. He doesn’t do well on the Heavy so does not want any more rain.
(9) The Garden has done well for us in the past but i might wait one more despite him running smart sectionals last time. He led and won that time, and he is clearly the second-best horse in the race.
(10) I am Bene ran 10th in a Group 2 last time. This is slightly easier, but she will need a cushy ride as she's untried at the distance.
(8) Winning Partner doesn’t want the track any wetter and is a value place chance.
(7) Visinari WIN
$2.20 (4 Units)
Race 4
(5) Argentia with Ollie on board can show up fresh for the Anthony & Sam Freedman team. Her fresh record is good, and she did win a Group 3 race last prep. Her trials have been poor, but I think Ollie will position her quietly around midfield in this one before one run down the long Flemington straight. She’s naught from two on Soft ground so an upgrade for her would be nice.
(11) Pride of Jenni led all of the way at Caulfield on a Soft track last time, but this is slightly harder. She will be up there again, but I think our selection runs past her late.
(13) Fortunate Kiss had no luck last time much to the dissatisfaction of her trainer Daniel Bowman. He has a high opinion of her, but I might wait for a drier track.
(8) Excelida can hit the line hard and will want a strong speed on. She's never won for Micky Dee, but he does know her well.
(5) Argentia WIN
$5 (1 Unit)
Race 6
(4) Daqianstreet Junior is getting closer to the two-mile distance which he likes. Jamie Kah stays on and with all eyes on the Melbourne Cup the stable might have a crack at this one. We do want a dry track with this guy however so don’t want any more rain on Friday or Saturday. His two runs after the spell have been okay without placing but he really wasn't pushed either. With the Cup only a touch over a month away I think the Phillip Stokes stable will want to see a top four finish in this.
(5) Desert Icon is fit and is racing well. It’s his first try at the 2500m and if he gets a cushy run he could shop up. Prebble is on and his last two wins at Moonee Valley have been excellent. Flemington?
(8) Lunar Flare ran on well last time and does like Soft ground.
(9) High Emocean will settle well back and will hit the line with vigor.
(4) Daqianstreet Junior WIN
$7.50 (2 Units)
Race 9
(4) Artzino is a last start winner who is showing a lot of promise. He got up by a nose at Sandown Hillside last time after settling well back and his closing times were excellent. Flemington should suit. He will sit around midfield to slightly worse and have one long sustained run to try and grab the W. Ollie takes the ride after Simon Zahra steered him home well last start.
(12) Beraldino has a wide barrier in 12 but was only 1.85L behind our on top selection two starts back when third.
(11) Cadazio needs more distance but i think he can run on into a placing.
(9) Kapakiri goes well on the Heavy and will want rain. His first up Victorian run was good at Flemington when second. Maybe a bit dour.
(4) Artzino WIN
$5 (2 Units)
