Saturday Racing Tips - Flemington Racecourse 09/03/24

Racing comes back to Flemington racecourse this Saturday as the Group 1 races Autumn season is underway and we have an exciting set of meetings across the country with the Newmarket Handicap being the feature of the day, a Group 1 sprint over the 1200m for a share of $1.5 million. I have run through the card and picked out my best betting spots for the listed races at this meeting, follow me below as I outline them!

(Note: Odds provided by Playup)

Selections:
#4 - Hedged (BEST BET) - $2.70
#3 - Gumdrops - $8.00
#2 - Hanchi - $8.00
#8 - Akicita - $3.80

BEST BET - #4 - Hedged (BEST BET) 
Hedged is the straight bat option resuming here for the Price / Kent camp and comes here back from a spell having not raced since the beginning of October when he smashed a field at Sandown, sitting just off the pace before going away from the field seemingly with ease. His jumpout work has been very encouraging since and I think he will put on a show no doubt.

THE DANGER - #3 - Gumdrops
Gumdrops is a smart horse for the Price and Kent camp that resumes here after having a successful two run Spring prep where she won both of her starts, including the Crockett on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley. She was absolutely flying in her recent Cranbourne Jumpout and I think 1100m first up is a recipe for success so go well here.

VALUE BET  - #2 - Hanchi
Hanchi is a smart three year old for Team Casey that comes here a couple weeks between runs after stepping out at Caulfield a few weeks ago where he was held up through the run but when he did eventually get clear air he was absolutely flying home behind Twin Perfection who led all the way to win and simply outclassed the field. He comes back to his age level, sharper for the run and can make an impression here.

Selections:
#4 - Berkeley Square (NEXT BEST) - $4.50
#2 - Young Werther - $2.40
#7 - Fawkner Park - $3.30
#6 - Normandy Bridge - $9.50

BEST BET - #4 - Berkeley Square (NEXT BEST)
Gee this is going to be a good little race and I think that whilst Danny O’Brien’s favourite looks good here I just can’t get away from Berkeley Square despite him not doing too much in his two runs this time in. When he last week in the Blamey he never really got a chance to get into the race when being trapped between runners and he now comes into this hard fit third up, out in trip, smaller field and maps to get every chance. I think he goes well here.

THE DANGER - #2 - Young Werther
Young Werther is a sharp horse for Danny O’Brien that resumed in the Carlyon Cup a few weeks ago where he was on the speed throughout the run and looked to click up hard in the straight but just couldn’t get there when third to Yonce. He gets a better set up this time in, looks ready to win in this field and will be a hard thing to get past.

VALUE BET  - #6 - Normandy Bridge
Happy to give Normandy Bridge a look here for Ciaron Maher. This guy is full of surprises but he is a winner with five wins in sixteen runs and comes back here not having raced since July when producing a down the track effort at the end of a successful prep, having won the three prior starts. His recent trial was very pleasing to the eye and he has won fresh before so a win here wouldn’t totally shock.

Selections:
#1 - Imperatriz - $2.40
#3 - Buenos Noches - $5.00
#6 - Magic Time - $7.50
#2 - Bella Nipotina (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) - $12.00

BEST BET - #1 - Imperatriz 
Here we go, feature race of the day for a share of $1.5 million and it looks like Imperatriz’s time to cement herself as a champion after resuming in the Lightning as a short priced favourite but she was challenged by Pride’s star in Private Eye. She just proved too strong though to fight back and win in a very strong manner. She carries topweight here but thus far she’s just continued to prove too good time and time again. I can’t take her at the price however.

THE DANGER - #3 - Buenos Noches
IBuenos Noches gets set up quite well for this assignment. He resumed in the Expressway at Randwick just shy of a month ago where they didn’t ride him with any intent and he was too far back to be a winning threat there but was strong through the line. His prior record on the Flemington straight is good enough and he looks like he’s been set for this race. Lots of intent, good upside to come, only runs well here.

VALUE BET - #2 - Bella Nipotina (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) 
It was hard for me to decide between Bella Nipotina and Magic Time but I think the way that Bella has resumed to racing it is hard to ignore her coming into this race and whilst she has just the one Group 1 win she can get her second here. She resumed off of a 14 week break at this course a couple weeks ago when being held up until the 250m but once she got clear air she drove to the line very powerfully to finish just behind the placegetters in an enormous return effort. Stable’s on fire again and she only will be stronger for the resuming run.

Plan on betting on the races this Saturday? Betting online is surprisingly simple these days, and our Best Bookmakers area is the simplest way to discover the best online betting sites to follow our expert’s tips.

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Jye McNeil is an accomplished jockey, having won several black type races, including the prestigious 2020 Melbourne Cup aboard Twilight Payment. He has also received the Victoria Racing Club's Champion Jockey Award in two consecutive seasons (2019/20 and 2020/21), underscoring his reputation as one of Victoria's finest jockeys. He is known to perform exceptionally well on major race days, and he has secured a significant number of rides for this weekend's racing at Flemington Park Lakeside, I have outlined them all below:

R1 - #2 - El Patroness - $2.45
R3 - #6 - Manhattan Thunder - $12.00
R5 - #4 - Toronto Terrier - $6.10
R6 - #3 - Stormbolt - $4.80
R7 - #5 - Arizona Activist - $18.00
R8 - #3 - So Si Bon - $4.65
R9 - #13 - Tonneofgrit - $18.00

One of the most significant considerations in picking up multiple winners is the track bias, which favors horses that don’t get too far back in the run at Flemington Racecourse. As a result, horses drawn on the inside have a better chance of performing well compared to those drawn towards the outside. I have factored in this aspect when making my multi bets, taking into account the horses' respective preps and their drawn barrier positions. Follow below for a multi to track over race day!

Flemington R1 - #4 - Hedged - PLC $1.35
Flemington R2 - #2 - Berkeley Square - PLC $2.00
Flemington R5 - #2 - Bella Nipotina - PLC $3.00

Total Odds = $8.00
$50  Stake = $400.00 Return!

Odds provided by PlayUp, sign up for a new account here to get started.

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Exotic Tip 

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If you are looking for the best promotions this week for Wednesday's racing I wouldn’t look past Unibet, often they offer odds boosts in addition to the money back promotions. Don’t forget to check your account as well for personal offers. 

Promotions often change so make sure you sign up at unibet.com.au to see what promotions are applicable to you and you may even be surprised to find some promotions that weren’t mentioned here!