Flemington racing tips & quaddie picks | Super Saturday, 12/03/22

Race 1: TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m)

The Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes kicks off Super Saturday where a field of 14 two-year-old fillies will thunder down the Flemington straight. Having won in impressive fashion at Sandown on March 2, we are expecting Va Via to be able to go on with the job in this. Prior to that, the Astern filly was beaten just over two lengths in a Blue Diamond Prelude and as she steps back into Group company, looks poised to strike. Look for Damien Oliver to have the bay filly settled just off the speed and when ask for an effort, Va Via should have enough under the hood to put this field away.

• 3

  VA VIA

• 5

  NANAGUI

• 7

  KIKO

• 8

  RUTHLESS DAME

Race 2: Matron Stakes (1600m)

The Group 3 Matron Stakes looks to be a race in two, with Flying Mascot coming off a nice win in the Mannerism Stakes and Turaath not being beaten far in the Futurity Stakes. We think the market has gotten this wrong having installed Flying Mascot as a $2.60 favourite, whereas Tuurath is set to go around as a $4 chance. Turaath was boxing on nicely in the Futurity, before the likes of Sierra Sue and Mo’unga, who are genuine Group 1 stars wore her down inside the final furlong. The fourth-place finish is more than good enough form for this and considering the price, we think the Oasis Dream mare is a clear best bet on the card. Damian Lane will have her rolling along in front and despite a small query when stepping up to the mile, we expect Turaath’s class to shine through in the Matron.

• 1

  TURAATH

• 4

  FLYING MASCOT

• 7

  PROMISE OF SUCCESS

• 9

  GROOVY KINDA LOVE

Race 3: Moomba Plate (1100m)

The Listed Moomba Plate for the three-year-olds looks to be one of the toughest races on the Flemington card and we’re expecting a bold run from last start Moonee Valley winner Mynumerouno. The Nick Ryan-trained Vancouver gelding managed to lug 62kg when settling up on speed and was able to get the better of the in-form Joseylin. He has four wins from five starts, showing he has a genuine will to win. Going through his form, he has the scalps of Generation, Barb Raider and Athelric and if he is anywhere near his best, may just blow this lot away. With the likes of Crystal Bound, Gilstening and Lloyd’s Crown set to make this a genuinely run 1100m affair, the race looks perfectly set up for Mynumerouno to finish over the top of them with just 56kg on his back.

• 5

  MYNUMEROUNO

• 6

  GIMMIE PAR

• 2

  REMARQUE

• 1

  GENERAL BEAU

Race 4: Sires Produce Stakes (1400m)

Following a midfield finish in the Blue Diamond Stakes, it was obvious the Peter Moody-trained Merchant Prince wanted 1400m and he gets that in the Sires Produce Stakes on Saturday. Luke Nolen referred to his run in the Blue Diamond as the perfect trial for the Sires Produce and on that alone, you would think the stable have him set for what is most likely his grand final for this campaign. Having settled towards the rear of the field, the Written Tycoon colt made up stacks of ground in the home straight and in the end was not beaten too far by eventual winner Daumier. From barrier 10 on Saturday, if Nolen can find a spot midfield with cover, then Merchant Prince has the turn of foot to be able to finish over the top of his rivals.

• 1

  MERCHANT PRINCE

• 4

  SIR BAILEY

• 5

  MAN IN THE MIRROR

• 13

  BONHEUR

Race 5: Kewney Stakes (1200m)

Having been desperately held up for a run until it was too late last time out, the Anthony & Sam Freedman yard will be hoping for better luck with Argentia in the Kewney Stakes. The three-year-old Frankel filly seemed to have every chance when she got out into clear air but was simply outsprinted by the leader/winner. She draws barrier six for this assignment, so look for Mark Zahra to have her settled in the moving line in an attempt to take bad luck out of the equation. As she showed in her dazzling win in the Kevin Hayes Stakes the start prior, her turn of foot is electric and despite the Thousand Guineas winner from the spring Yearning and Barb Raider proving to be genuine rivals in this, Argentia looks to be one of the better bets of the day with even luck.

• 4

  ARGENTIA

• 1

  YEARNING

• 3

  BARB RAIDER

• 9

  ARKTIKA

Race 6: Newmarket Handicap (1200m)

First run in 1873, the Newmarket Handicap is etched in Australian racing folklore. A field of 17 sprinters are set to thunder down the infamous Flemington 1200m, with last start Lightning Stakes winner Home Affairs the race favourite.

Click here for our free runner-by-runner preview of the 2022 Newmarket Handicap

Race 7: Australian Cup (2000m)

The time-honoured Australian Cup is the second of the Group 1’s at Flemington on Saturday afternoon where a field of 12 will look to claim the prestigious event. NSW visitor Think It Over is a $3 market elect with online bookmakers for the event in what will be his first run in Melbourne in his career.

Click here for our free runner-by-runner preview of the 2022 Australian Cup

Race 8: Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m)

Coming off a defeat to Corner Pocket in The Elms, we are giving the Peter Jolly-trained Morvada a big chance in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap. Having led the field up, the South Australian raider was worn down late by the in-form Corner Pocket who has since come out and chased home Inspirational Girl and Zaaki last week, you would that form stacks up nicely in this. From barrier two, Linda Meech will roll forward and look to dictate terms once again. Considering Morvada managed to beat a majority of his rivals when second-up over 1400m, he should be primed to do the same third-up and claim this race for a second year in a row.

• 14

  MORVADA

• 9

  CHAILLOT

• 11

  FOURHOMETWO

• 10

  CHERRY TORTONI

Race 9: Super VOBIS 3YO Hcp (1400m)

The Mathew Ellerton-trained Hesket is coming off a win over subsequent Moonee Valley Elite Icon and we expect he will prove too hard to hold out in the final race of the day. Having settle towards the rear of the field last time out, the Fastnet Rock gelding managed to sustain a long run and hold a genuine sprint when getting the better of his more fancied rival. He will need to do something similar this time round, but with the long straight of Flemington, should get the time to build through the gears with intent. He has form behind the smart Arktika who goes around earlier in the card and with consecutive victories to his name coming into this, Hesket should prove too hard to hold out.

• 12

  HESKET

• 7

  SOCIALIST

• 5

  CARDIGAN QUEEN

• 8

  LINAS LEGEND