Flemington is the venue for Saturday thoroughbred racing this weekend with the Kensington Stakes being the main race on the program.
Race one starts at 12:35pm and gallopers will run on a predicted Soft 5 surface.
Brendan Bunworth brings you his preview and free racing tips for the day!
Flemington Racing Tips: Saturday 17th December
Race 5
(5) WIlliam Thomas flashed home at Pakenham last start to run third at good odds and it did look like he appreciated the 1200m. He won't want any rain to come but the forecast is for clear skies on the day and during the lead up to the race. He is eight years old now and does get a fair way back in his races but from barrier 2 he can put in a sharp sprint late and if the inside part of the track is on, he could be overs in this race.
(6) Munhamek is the likely favourite and has drawn on the inside, so again we will want the inside part of the track firing. He is fifth up for this prep and the most he has been beaten to date is 1.7 lengths, so he has been very consistent.
(12) Invincible Caviar is one from one on the Soft and will race on pace. Due to breeding, she is likely to receive a lot of support again.
(8) So Risque is first up for the Hayes stable, and Michael Dee has chosen to ride this horse instead of William Thomas.
(5) WIlliam Thomas WIN
$17 (1 Unit)
Race 6
(1) Persan drops in class for this race after racing against some quality horses during the Spring Carnival. He will have to carry 60kg, but his competition are mostly good country cup horses, and he does look a couple of lengths above. His latest third behind Vow and Declare was quite good and the Maher & Eustace stable must think there is still a win in him this campaign otherwise they would have turned him out for the year.
(4) Cormorant was just fair in the Werribee Cup (4th) but is 100 percent fit now after four runs in and should be cherry ripe.
(3) Nobel Heights ran on well for 2nd in the Pakenham Cup and a win is not too far away. Doesn't want any rain on the day.
(2) Adelaide Ace ran a nice 2nd in the Werribee Cup and has been racing consistently. He is another who can only win if the track is a Soft5 or better.
(1) Persan WIN
$3.60 (2 Units)
Race 7
(6) Rose Quartz should win this if the track stays a Soft 5 or improves to a Good surface. Grahame Begg has this mare training well but has struggled getting dry tracks of late. After a nice 2nd at Caulfield last start, she still carries 54 kilos and she returns to Flemington, a track where she has won her last two races. Micky Dee stays on and he has ridden her for most of her career starts.
(2) Esta La Roca has been lightly raced of late but did run well when 2nd at The Valley first up this prep. Her last two stats have been on the Heavy, but she is better on Soft and Good ground.
(3) Halvorsen has won twice before second up and has won five races at Flemington. A Good track would be better though.
(4) Yulong Command is fourth up from a spell and last prep he did win two in a row when in the middle of his prep. He is the likely leader for Jamie Kah and will want cheap sectionals.
(6) Rose Quartz WIN
$2.70 (3 Units)
Race 9
(6) Beaufort Park is ready to improve now after three runs in this campaign. The Saab Hasan gelding hasn't won in a while but does have a very good winning strike rate having won 7 of 39 starts. He has won 3 from 10 on the Soft and he has been running on pretty well over this distance (1400m). With the horse 100 percent now, I'll be surprised if he doesn't run top 3.
(12) Victory Bay almost got there at Traralgon last start (2nd) and he should be fully wound up now but this is tougher.
(14) Jet Jitsu was a good Bendigo winner after running on well. He gets the inside draw, and he will be one to look for late.
(17) Micro placed second up last prep and placed on a Soft track. Does get back a bit so barrier 11 is a slight concern.
(6) Beaufort Park WIN
$15 (1 Unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg two: 2, 6
Leg three: 1, 8, 11, 14
Leg four: 6, 12
