Flemington
Race 1 – Salsa Fellow
Jockey – Jye McNeil
1000m – Barrier 3
Blue Point colt Salsa Fellow makes his racetrack debut over 1000-metres down the Flemington straight today. The promising two-year-old was impressive winning a jumpout at Ballarat in December, before having a quiet hitout earlier in the month in preparation for today. Jockey Jye McNeil rides from gate two in a field of six, and should receive a nice run just behind the speed from the outset.
Just five rivals here, four of them unraced, so plenty to learn. Ravenite has jumped to the front and won his past two jumpouts easily, no surprise to see him bounce and find the lead here. Could take catching. Zestiman sat back and ran through the line well at his public jumpouts, looks to have his share of ability. Twin Engine found the line well under riding at Horsham in her most recent jumpout, and has been the subject of market support in this. Nothing wrong with Cool Star’s most recent outing at Cranbourne. I’m Kenough is the one with race experience, which can be crucial in these races. Not sure he has the ability of a few of these though.
Salsa Fellow certainly has the ability to be right in the mix amongst these. He should get a lovely run if he steps cleanly and prove hard to hold out late. Always tricky with these two-year-old races, but expecting a forward showing today.
Currently, Salsa Fellow is a $4.40 chance in the market.
Flemington
Race 5 – Flyball
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
2000m – Barrier 1
Last start maiden winner Flyball is up in trip when he takes on metropolitan class at Flemington today. The gelded son of Starspangledbanner was strong when winning at Nhill on Boxing Day, with runners finishing behind him there subsequently running well at their next starts. Jockey Blaike McDougall has drawn the inside and can look to settle leaders’ back from the 2000-metre starting point.
Speed looks just okay with Macy Moon and Ring Bearer to roll forward from the middle, while Border Visage may come across from the outside to settle handy. A few main hopes in a skinny race. Interlinked rises to this distance on the back of consecutive wins to start his career. He should get a soft run midfield on the fence and will prove hard to hold out if given galloping room. Girls Girls Girls is still a maiden galloper but hard not to like the way she finishes her races. Out to 2000-metres a plus, and she beat home a pair of key rivals at her last start. She’ll be strong late. Bold Soul and Cortain finished behind Girls Girls Girls last time out, Bold Soul the pick of those two on that effort. Cortain’s maiden win two starts back over Boondocks reads well, however. Each way chance to Ring Bearer.
Flyball rises to benchmark-70 level here, but it’s not the strongest set of runners you’ll see for this grade. He should get a nice run tucked in behind the leading pair, and any improvement from his last start effort has him in with an each way show in this.
Currently, Flyball is a $31 chance in the market.
Flemington
Race 6 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1600m – Barrier 1
Last start Mornington winner Friday At Five takes on metropolitan company at Flemington this afternoon. The daughter of Zoustar was given a lovely ride to score strongly a fortnight ago, and doubt the rise to a mile today will pull her up. Jockey Beau Mertens keeps the ride and can box seat from barrier one, looking to get out and running in the home straight.
Not a heap of early dash here. Fire Of Etna has drawn alongside Friday At Five and may look for the lead early on, while Mawkeb and Dane On Tour will settle handy to the speed. Even affair. Fire Of Etna was a strong first-up winner at Seymour on the back of a good jumpout prior. There’s good form around her runs last preparation and she is yet to run poorly. Expect another honest showing today. Regal Vow has won two on the bounce since returning from a spell and looks as progressive as any in this field. Hard to knock winning form, must be considered a winning hope. Kind Gesture was solid when fresh in a much stronger race here on Stakes Day, before being outclassed in Group-3 company last start. She’s has six weeks between runs and looks suited back to this grade. Dane On Tour was a dominant winner from the front last start. She’ll have the opportunity to roll forward and control the race again and could take catching. Mawkeb not hopeless.
Friday At Five will be full of confidence after her last start effort and draws for a soft run here. She’s up in class but gets in with a light weight at the bottom of the page. The mare is fit for recent racing and this isn’t the strongest Saturday race to ever be run. An each way chance in a very even contest.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $21 chance in the market.