2024 VRC Members Race Day Tips & Preview
Speycaster looks the one to beat in Saturday's Flemington Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.

2024 VRC Members Race Day Tips & Preview

Another nine-race program has been assembled at Headquarters on Saturday with the $175,000 Flemington Cup set to take place.

A wet day is expected with rain hammering Melbourne all week, and we could be racing on something close to a Heavy 8 with the rail currently out three metres.

For thoughts on every race across the card, check out our VRC Members Day Preview here!

Race 1 - 12:05PM Byerley Handicap (1800 METRES)
No. 2 Politely Dun

Politely Dun has had two goes over the mile so far for Danny O’Brien.

The gelding by Dundeel was placed on debut at Bendigo last month on a rain-affected track, quickening smartly in the run home but simply finding himself too far back in a race dominated by those on speed.

He was far from disgraced up to Listed level here a fortnight ago, caught three-wide into the straight and eventually beaten 4.6 lengths.

Damian Lane takes over now and on those two efforts, the rise to 1800m should pose no problems if they can find cover early from barrier six.

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Race 2 - 12:40PM VRC Member Michael Murphy Trophy (1700 METRES)
No. 2 Le Zebra

Le Zebra is an intriguing runner going around at good odds ahead of his fourth run back from a spell.

The talented three-year-old was a complete forgive here two back over the mile, caught wide in transit and finding no room in the run home where he was eventually beaten close to eight lengths.

The son of Rip Van Winkle turned in a much-improved effort a fortnight ago, stoking up along the rail and showing some late speed to finish just over two lengths off Justadeel in a good go for the line.

Hard fit now, and most importantly, boasting two wins on rain-affected tracks, this might be the right race for him if he gets luck from the gate.

Race 3 - 1:15PM VRC Member Russell Dawson Plate (1000 METRES)
No. 2 First Settler

First Settler should have plenty of admirers after winning his maiden on debut by over two lengths late last month.

The colt by Written Tycoon was caught wide facing the breeze rounding the turn, but that didn’t stop him from letting down with a powerful turn of foot to race clear and win soft on the line.

He’s got the wide gate, an extra 4kg, and a wet track to contend with on Saturday, but after clocking the fastest final 200m split of the meeting last start, there’s a lot to like about his chances.

Race 4 - 1:50PM RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final (1600 METRES)
No. 2 Cindy Falls

Cindy Falls rates the safest bet in a slightly difficult race to assess.

The Sacred Falls mare has impressed in both starts since debuting from across the ditch, only conceding late fresh at Sandown over the mile before winning quite well down the outside back to 1400m here at Headquarters last start.

She’s drawn a nice soft gate with Hannah Edgley taking the 3kg claim and I think we’ll see the pair get right back early with plenty of speed engaged.

Proven on heavy going and plenty fit now, there’s nothing to suggest this girl can’t go on with the job.

Race 5 - 2:25PM VRC Member Leigh Hughes Trophy (1400 METRES)
No. 5 Lovazou

Lovazou is a quality filly for Danny O’Brien with her eyes on a hat-trick now.

The daughter of Zoustar couldn’t have been more impressive over the same 1400m trip at Caulfield last week, shifting to the outside into the straight and hitting top gear to draw clear by close to two lengths.

She looked to have plenty left to give through the line, which was also the case two back when she lapped up the heavy conditions at Ballarat.

On the quick backup, she still has scope for improvement third-up and was placed here at Flemington on debut in a Group 3. Looks hard to beat with conditions to suit if she’s in the right part of the track.

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Race 6 - 3:05PM VRC Member Lily Liu Sprint (1200 METRES)
No. 15 South Of Houston

South Of Houston ticks a couple of important boxes here in a fairly open sprint race.

The Mick Price-trained daughter of Deep Field resumed in good order a few weeks ago over shorter at Caulfield, beaten two lengths by the impressive Kin after chasing hard from a wide position into the straight.

The runner-up Mrs Chrissie has since gone on to place in the Sir John Monash Stakes last week, so the form stacks up okay.

She likes it wet, is unbeaten second-up, and owns a win over the track and distance. Should run well if she finds luck from out wide under Jamie Kah.

Race 7 - 3:45PM Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800 METRES)
No. 3 Speycaster

Speycaster looks to have returned to his best based on his recent win at Rosehill over shorter.

Chris Waller’s stayer has struck heavy tracks in his last two starts, but that didn’t stop him storming home down the outside to reel in Kureder for a fairly soft win three weeks ago.

Make what you want of his previous form in tougher races, but at his best, he should have lengths on these despite the fact he’s winless in two starts over 2800m.

That aside, the wet track suits and from a perfect barrier, Damian Lane should be able to save his best for late.

Race 8 - 4:20PM VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000 METRES)
No. 6 Cadmus

Winning form is good form and that’s exactly what Cadmus brings with him to the races.

The Freedman-trained Irish import has been in work for a while, producing two wins and a place from four starts since April.

He was back in the winner’s circle at Sandown last month over 1800m, coming from the clouds over the final furlong to reel in Pounding and win by 1.75 lengths.

The barrier is the main knock, but in well at the weights with Jye McNeil retaining the ride and a solid record over 2000m, he’s an easy on-top selection in my book.

Race 9 - 4:52PM VRC Member Janet Kolotelo Plate (1000 METRES)
No. 4 Luna Cat

Luna Cat presents fitter for three runs back with some likeable form also to her name.

The Hayes-trained mare was back in the winner’s circle two back at Sandown over the 1000m trip, bolting in over her final few strides to prevail narrowly over the in-form Kiko – who has since gone on to win again last week.

Her latest effort for third behind Kin stands out nicely on paper and she does have superior wet track form compared to her rivals.

Where she winds up from the slightly awkward gate is the question, but she’ll do me in what is arguably the toughest race to get a read on all day.