2022 VRC Community Day Tips & Preview
Harbour Views will contest Race 8. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

2022 VRC Community Day Tips & Preview

We’re back to HQ on Saturday for another exciting nine-race program, featuring plenty of above-average gallopers.

I’ve run the rule over the entire card, and you can find my Flemington Tips below.

Banjo Patterson Series Handicap (2520m) – 11:50am
No. 4 Maserartie Bay

He failed to fire last time out, but I am happy to give Maserartie Bay another chance in the first at Flemington this week.

The Artie Schiller gelding was far too good in the Yarra Valley Cup back in March, and he franked that win with another classy triumph in BM100 at Caulfield.

He didn’t look comfortable in the Warrnambool Cup early last month, but he’s now four weeks between runs, and this looks a nice return point.

Next Generation Sprinters Series (1100m) – 12:25pm
No. 2 Dusse

There isn’t a lot of form to study here, but Dusse has enjoyed a nice start to his career, and she looks up to winning again.

The Rubick filly only just missed on debut in the VOBIS Gold Strike, and she went one better at Geelong last time.

This is another rise in class, but she harbours plenty of upside, and it does look winnable.

Leilani Series Handicap (1400m) – 1pm
No. 1 Agreeable

Agreeable was a smart first-up winner at Sandown, and she can continue that form through the third at HQ on Saturday.

The four-year-old daughter of Sebring has been a good horse for the Freedmans since debuting, and her first-up effort this time suggested that she has returned a better horse.

With some relief in the weights and from a good draw, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.

Mahogany Challenge Handicap (2000m) – 1:35pm
No. 3 Natural Mystic

Natural Mystic puts an unbeaten record on the line in the Mahogany Challenge Handicap, and I don’t see a reason to jump off at this point.

The Tarzino gelding just got there on debut at Pakenham in late April, but took plenty of improvement for that experience into a dominant win here last time out.

Fitter third-up and under similar conditions, he can win again.

each way
VRC Community Sprint (1100m) – 2:10pm
No. 7 Hype

Hype weathered a torrid run in transit on debut in Australia, and I am more than happy to give him another chance at Flemington this week.

The Siyouni entire returned some excellent performances in Europe during his early career, notching two wins and second placing from four starts.

Dropping back to sprint trip this week should suit and with even luck, he certainly looks up to the grade.

Banjo Patterson Series Plate (2000m) – 2:45pm
No. 8 Reuber

Reuber strikes another ideal race at Flemington on Saturday.

He has been a star for the Cindy Alderson stable since his three-year-old season, and Reuber looks to have returned to his best this time, winning two of three, including a dominant effort at Sandown last time out.

Fitter third-up, he’s ready to return to Saturday metro company, and he loves racing at Flemington.

each way
Silver Bowl Series Handicap (1400m) – 3:20pm
No. 1 Jigsaw

Speaking of good horses from the Alderson stable, Jigsaw is on the short back-up in the Silver Bowl Series Handicap, and he rates as a key winning chance at a nice price ($11 at publish).

He showed plenty of ability during his two-year-old campaign, and while he did go slightly late last year, he’s returned to the track in smart form this time.

Having won each of his last two, he is primed for the hat-trick under Michael Walker.

VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Plate (1400m) – 4pm
No. 1 Cherry Tortoni

I’m happy to stick with Cherry Tortoni in the penultimate race at Flemington on Saturday.

The Night Of Thunder gelding finally returned to winning form in the Golden Mile at Bendigo back in April, and while he was a little flat two starts back, he only just missed in Group 3 company last time.

He steps out this week in peak order and looks a touch of overs at his current price ($8 at publish).

each way
ATA Trainers’ Trust Handicap (1100m) – 4:34pm
No. 5 Squid Game

I’m going to give Squid Game another chance in the last.

Squid Game stamped himself as one to watch by winning his first two starts back in November and December and went to the paddock after finishing third at this track and trip.

He clearly needed his first run back this time when well beaten in late April, but he has been back to the trials since that effort, and he can have an impact in something like this.