2023 VRC Community Day Tips & Preview
Jimmy The Bear can win at Caulfield this week. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

2023 VRC Community Day Tips & Preview

There is no black type racing in Melbourne on Saturday, but we will still be treated to an excellent nine-race program at Flemington!

I’ve done a deep dive into the form of every galloper engaged, and you can find all of my Flemington Tips below.

The Royal Children’s Hospital Trophy (1200m) – 11:50am
No. 2 Sunsource

Sunsource makes his eagerly awaited return to the races in the first at Flemington on Saturday, and I think he’ll take beating.

The Zoustar colt stamped himself as one to watch by winning the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat on debut in November, before finishing third behind Sovereign Fund up in Brisbane.

He’d clearly had enough by the time he finished down the order in the Magic Millions Classic, but they’ve been patient with him, and I think that this is an ideal kick-off point.

Good Friday Appeal Plate (2520m) – 12:25pm
No. 2 Swords Drawn

I’m keen to give Swords Drawn another chance in Race 2 at Flemington on Saturday.

Swords Drawn was an eye-catching winner of the Torney Night Cup at The Valley back in February, and he has returned some nice performances in the wake, placing in both the Roy Higgins Quality and the Warrnambool Cup most notably.

He’s drawn well this week under claiming appreciate Celine Gaudray, and I think it looks the perfect Saturday metro contest for him.

Good Friday Appeal Volunteers Thank You Trophy (1400m) – 1pm
No. 3 Party For One

Party For One takes winning form into Race 3 at HQ on Saturday and is a picture of fitness.

The Rubick mare has improved with each of her three starts since joining the care of Mick Price & Mick Kent Jnr, culminating in an easy win over this route last month.

She will need some luck in running from barrier 13, but she has the runs on the board this time, and the booking of Blake Shinn doesn’t hurt her chances.

each way
ATA Trainers’ Trust Handicap (1100m) – 1:35pm
No. 4 Sghirripa

Quality South Australian Sghirripa gets his chance in Melbourne this week, and he looks a bit of value in betting for Race 4 ($11 at publish).

The Lonhro gelding hasn’t missed placing in seven career trips to the races, and he has returned in particularly smart form this time, winning each of his last two at Morphettville.

He steps out this week in peak order, can go forward and make all of his own luck from an inside draw, and we can have an each way plat at the price.

RCH Staff Appreciation Plate (2000m) – 2:10pm
No. 1 First Immortal

First Immortal takes winning form into Race 5 at HQ on Saturday and looms as a key winning chance again.

The Churchill gelding has won three of his last five starts, but has been particularly good with each start and as the bar has been raised, culminating in a lovely win here last time out.

He does rise in the weights this week, but he looks a very nice horse, and I think he’ll strike once more.

each way
Herald Sun/Transurban Run For The Kids (1400m) – 2:45pm
No. 13 The Prodigal Son

There is a case to be made for many of them in this three-year-olds Quality and with that in mind, I thought that a horse like The Prodigal Son looked a bit of value in betting ($11 at publish).

This is easily the toughest task that The Prodigal Son has been set, but there is no denying his talent, and he has won two of three career starts so far.

His fresh performance and win at Canberra a couple of weeks ago was easily his best so far, and he’ll take plenty of improvement into this contest.

each way
Henley And Villawood GFA House Plate (2000m) – 3:20pm
No. 10 Flash Feeling

Another wide-open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, including Flash Feeling.

Flash Feeling has had three starts since returning from a break back in April, and I thought he was quote good when third, beaten a length and a half by Daytona Bay over 1800m here last time out.

Getting out to 2000m this week looks ideal, as does a drop in the weights, and he’s another whom we can have something on each way ($12 at publish).

VRC Community Plate (1400m) – 4pm
No. 7 Jimmy The Bear

Jimmy the Bear clearly needed his first run back here a few weeks ago to blow off the cobwebs, but I am more than keen to stick with him in the penultimate contest on Saturday.

Jimmy The Bear has been a great horse for Patrick Payne for a few seasons now, notching up six wins and four placings from his fifteen starts, and finding form around some great opposition.

He is yet to taste anything but success at this point of his preparation, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish this week.

VRC & GFA Partnership Sprint (1100m) – 4:35pm
No. 4 Ranveer

Ranveer returned from a long break to only just miss in BM70 company in April, and I am confident that he can go one better in the last at Flemington on Saturday.

The Winning Rupert gelding produced some decent performances during his debut campaign, before missing 18 months of action with a few ailments.

I thought that his first run back at Mornington was excellent, and any improvement would see him into the finish of something like this.