Flemington Finals Day is always a highlight of the Melbourne winter, and nine races will be run and won on Saturday.
I’ve dug deep into the form of every galloper engaged, and you can find all of my thoughts and Flemington Finals Day Tips below.
Just six horses have accepted for the first on Flemington Finals Day, including two debutants.
I’m only going to have a small bet, and it’s going to be on Mafia, who has some decent exposed form.
Having not missed placing in four previous appearances, the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt broke his maiden at Wyong first-up this time before filling the minors at Sandown at his latest.
Fitter third-up, I’m keen to see him down the straight for the first time!
Pacific Ruby returned a winner in BM84 company at Sandown a few weeks ago and looms as the one to beat in the Leilani Series Dain.
The Kermadec mare has now won each of her last five starts, spanning back to June last year, and finding form around some talented opposition.
Flemington suits, as does the 1400m, and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
The exciting Steparty puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Taj Rossi Series Final and will take a power of beating again.
Steparty stamped himself as one to watch with an easy win on debut at Ballarat in May, and he has since recorded a couple of dominant wins here at Flemington.
He gets out to a mile for the first time, and this is his toughest task to date, but he has plenty of upside and a very bright future.
A talented field of stayers has been taken for the Banjo Paterson Final, including Teewaters.
Teewaters didn’t manage to strike in three starts for the Dan O’Sullivan yard through May and June, but his last two performances were good, and heralded third placings in similar races here at HQ.
He’s been moved back to Archie Alexander’s stable for this race and a little further out in trip, at peak fitness this week, I think he’ll be right in the finish again.
Tijuana was scratched from the last at Caulfield last week and will instead launch his campaign in the Creswick Stakes.
The American Pharoah colt was excellent during his spring prep last year, winning the Group 2 Stutt Stakes most notably before running a credible fifth in the Neds Caulfield Guineas.
His fresh record is good, he has a lot of these rivals covered for class, and he looks a bit of value at Creswick Stakes odds of $10 (at publish).
First Immortal takes winning form into this race and so long as topweight doesn’t have an affect late, I think he’ll be winning again!
The Churchill gelding has finished worse than second once in his last five trips to the races, winning three times, including a 2000m contest here at Flemington last time.
He’s on peak order and the rise in trip should suit, while the booking of Blake Shinn does add further confidence.
It would be outstanding to see a son of Black Caviar win some black type, and I think that Invincible Caviar is a legitimate chance when he takes his place in the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Final.
Invincible Caviar has made seven appearances at the races so far, winning four times, including a 1200m dash here back in December.
The track will probably have to be good for him to run, but he gets into the race well under Linda Meech, and we can have something on each way.
This is probably the most anticipated race on Flemington Final Day and at publish, we’re faced with around $5.50 the field.
I’ve been with Jimmy The Bear at each of his first three runs back this time, and I am happy to hold firm in this, his major target.
Jimmy The Bear has been a good horse for Patrick Payne for a few seasons now, and he has often found his best form here at Flemington.
He was only just denied at his second start back this time and was decent again when fourth over this route at his latest.
I’m expecting him to be absolutely cherry ripe this week, while a noticeable drop in the weights also suits in the Winter Championship Series Final.
Brung King is another formed runner that will take a power of beating again at HQ on Saturday.
The Henry Dwyer-trained gelding has won three of his last four starts, including two in succession leading into this contest.
A mile at Flemington suits and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.