Flemington Tips & Preview – Saturday, January 18
Mannereheim is set to compete in the final race at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Flemington Tips & Preview – Saturday, January 18

For the second week in a row, racing continues at Headquarters with another 10-race card set at Flemington this Saturday.

A fine day is expected with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail out 9m across the circuit.

Race 1 - 12:15PM TAB We're On (1600 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 3 Marble Arch

J: Jaylah Kennedy (55kg) T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes

Marble Arch finds a competitive race hoping to improve on a runner-up effort in the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day at Caulfield Heath.

The Hayes-trained mare by Per Incanto just found Regal Vow a touch better in the run home, stalking the pace into the straight where she still let down with a strong turn of foot.

Kept fresh for the run and in light thanks to the 2kg claim, she’s capable of handing in a similar effort to her win over 1500m the start prior.

Race 2 - 12:45PM VRC Punters Club Sprint (1000 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 8 Ethereum Girl

J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes

Ethereum Girl is on debut for Team Hayes following a handful of impressive jump outs and trials leading in.

The filly by Maurice was a convincing winner of her trial at Wodonga a couple of weeks ago where she drew clear by three-quarters of a length after quickening smartly.

Blake Shinn pilots from a handy inside gate and it wouldn’t be surprising if she settles forward early.

Race 3 - 1:20PM Howden Australian Guineas Day, 1 March (1600 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 6 Garnacho

J: Damian Lane (57kg) T: Emma-Lee & David Browne

Garnacho gets out to the mile third-up with two solid runs under his belt.

A three-year-old son to Ace High, this smart young gelding shed the maiden tag by 1.5 lengths over 1200m at Yarra Valley first-up, before going on to run a place here at Headquarters on New Year’s Day.

The form from that race has stacked up well with the winner Xarpo going on to run third in a tougher race last weekend.

Drawn another inside gate with the in-form Damian Lane stepping into the irons, the pair look likely to get back early and make their presence felt in the late stages.

Race 4 - 1:55PM Black Caviar Lightning Race Day, 15 February (1100 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win Market Mover

No. 5 Samangu

J: Craig Williams (58kg) T: Grahame Begg

This is a nice setup for the talented Samangu back over 1100m.

Grahame Begg’s mare by Written By is 3/3 this time in work, winning by a clear margin fresh on the Heath track at Caulfield, before holding on late for a narrow win at Pakenham last time out.

She’s been given a nice break with four weeks between starts, and providing she has something left in the tank, she’ll take beating if Craig Williams has her in a forward position early.

Race 5 - 2:30PM VRC Summer Fun Sprint (1200 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Each Way

No. 2 Wolfy

J: Ethan Brown (60.5kg) T: Nick Ryan

Wolfy has upside in an open race between the sprinters.

It’s going on close to a year since Nick Ryan’s gelding last won a race, but I thought he showed some improvement last start on the Heath track at Caulfield where he gave solid chase to just miss out on a place.

By Tivaci, he’s won previously here on his home track and has been given a solid six-week break between runs with a jump out to keep him fresh.

With the blinkers back on dropping right back to 1200m, there’s a chance he surprises at good odds.

Race 6 - 3:05PM VRC Super Saturday, 8 March (1200 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 8 Wiggum

J: Blake Shinn (57kg) T: Travis Doudle

Wiggum was solid in defeat down the straight here last week behind Shesallshenanigans.

The Rich Enuff four-year-old times his run well approaching the top of the straight, only to be held up around the 300m mark after overcoming a slow start.

The decision to race on the quick backup is notable and he draws to settle midfield if he jumps on time. Racing under Blake Shinn now, this rates a winnable race after finishing only three lengths off in a Listed contest in Adelaide late last year.

Race 7 - 3:40PM Be A Mate, Nominate Trophy (1100 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 1 Manolo Bling

J: Ethan Brown (60kg) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman

Happy to give Manolo Bling another chance following a disappointing effort at Geelong fresh from a spell.

The Freedman-trained filly overraced throughout and was found to have some lacerations post-race, but she has been given two weeks between runs to recover.

That was her first run back in just over two months since winning on Cup Day here at Headquarters where she stormed home over the final 100m to win well.

Armed with an electric turn of foot, her best is more than capable of winning a race like this, providing she settles back early from the awkward gate.

Race 8 - 4:15PM TAB Australian Cup Race Day, 29 March (2000 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Each Way

No. 1 Okita Soushi

J: Jett Stanley (62kg) T: Ciaron Maher

Okita Soushi presents a compelling case first-up Ciaron Maher.

The Galileo import was slightly frustrating to follow when he first arrived in Australia, but he more than rewarded punters for their patience when he bolted in to claim the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last year ahead of Serpentine.

Like always, he went around at odds in the Melbourne Cup where he stuck on well for third and has since been given a couple of jump outs leading into his return.

The barrier goes against him and so does his record at Flemington, but with winning first-up form, 2000m won’t trouble him.

Race 9 - 4:55PM Flemington Racing Spectacular 1-29 March (1400 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 7 Brazen Lady

J: Damian Lane (58kg) T: Dominic Sutton

Brazen Lady isn’t without claims in one of the more open races on the program.

The five-year-old mare has found the money in all four starts she’s contested at Flemington and was last seen just missing out on a place in the Listed Black Pearl at Geelong.

Her runs have been spaced right back to the spring, and although she’s a minor question mark over 1400m, it’s tough to find fault with her recent form that includes a win and a place from her last five starts.

Race 10 - 5:35PM Inside Run Handicap (1800 METRES)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Each Way

No. 8 Mannerheim

J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg) T: Chris Waller

Mannerheim is racing on his home track for the first time after spending the bulk of his prep racing in Sydney during the spring.

The son of Dundee was a clear winner two back at Wyong over further, then going on to race at The Valley late last month where the wide gate saw him finish midfield.

Barrier 3 will likely afford him a much more patient steer towards the tail of the field on Saturday with Mark Zahra taking over for Blake Shinn.

Dropping right back to 1800m with a stack of fitness on his side, a bounce back effort wouldn’t surprise with good odds on offer.

Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 11/02/2025 03:33:24am AEST and subject to change.