As winter settles over Melbourne, Flemington is set to come alive with the vibrant spirit of the VRC Community Race Day, a celebration of local pride and thrilling thoroughbred action.
With nine races scheduled, including heats of the Winter Racing Series, a day packed with emerging talent, seasoned campaigners, and plenty of betting intrigue with the rail out 11m can be expected.
After a deep dive into the form jungle, here’s what I’ve uncovered for each race on VRC Community Race Day.
Race 1 (11:55AM AEST): 2YO Open Handicap (1420 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 2 Observer
Observer (2) finished just under a length second when debuting over 1200m at Pakenham two starts ago.
Based on that run, the James Cummings-trained colt started a short-priced favourite last start over 1400m on the Lakeside track and he didn’t disappoint, crossing from an outside barrier before dashing clear to win by five lengths.
While the quality of opposition can be questioned, you can only beat what’s put in front of you and he soundly did that.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should race on speed for Craig Williams.
Race 2 (12:25PM AEST): 3YO Open Quality (2000 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 3 Shockletz
Shockletz (3) found the line strongly when winning over 1300m at Bendigo first-up.
The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Shocking was then held up with two furlongs to go on the Hillside track over a mile but let down strongly once clear to finish 1.4 lengths fourth.
That run put the writing on the wall for last start over this course and distance where she found the line strongly to run down Prochester for a head victory with third 4.3 lengths away.
She rises in weight, but I don’t expect her to get as far back as she did last start and she’s at peak fitness.
Race 3 (1:00PM AEST): Open Quality (1100 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 5 Cleo Cat
Cleo Cat (5) has been judiciously placed throughout her career, a fact underscored by her remarkable record of seven victories from nine starts.
The Tom Dabernig-trained mare tasted defeat for the first time this preparation last start in the Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield but the run was full of merit given she raced wide and still got within a length of the talented Niance.
Prior to that she won the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes at Morphettville so she is certainly well placed with 54kg in this Open Quality.
She should race on speed for Craig Williams.
Race 4 (1:35PM AEST): 3YO Open Handicap (1620 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 2 Dark Simba
Dark Simba (2) has improved with each race this preparation and is looking for his fourth win in a row.
The Lindsay Park-trained gelding gave the older horses a touch up last start over 1600m at Mornington on a heavy deck when storming home to win by 3.5 lengths.
He’s equally adept on dry ground having bolted in on Good 4 surfaces at Pakenham three starts back and Sale two starts ago.
He loves this distance and maps to get a great run on speed.
Race 5 (2:10PM AEST): BM84 Handicap (1420 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 10 Red Galaxy
Red Galaxy (10) fought strongly to win by a length when resuming over 1205m at Sale two starts ago.
The Greg Eurell-trained gelding then cost himself a win last start when not jumping well and settling out the back over 1400m on the Hillside track, but to his credit he charged through the pack to finish 1.8 lengths second.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the big drop in class.
Craig Williams taking the ride is a positive jockey change.
Race 6 (2:45PM AEST): 3YO+ Open Handicap (2540 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 12 Samuel Longhorne
Samuel Longhorne (12) was unlucky not to finish closer over this course and distance last start.
The Mick Kent-trained gelding looked to be travelling as well as eventual winner Muktamil entering the straight, but couldn’t clear until it was too late and finished two lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and is a previous winner over this course and distance.
Race 7 (3:25PM AEST): Fillies & Mares BM90 Handicap (1420 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 6 Splash Back
Splash Back (6) returned in magnificent order last start over 1200m at Caulfield with a 2.3 length win.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare produced some of the quickest final splits of the day, suggesting the rise in distance will suit.
She’s a previous second-up winner and Tom Prebble’s claim will see her carry just 53.5kg.
Barrier 4 should see her enjoy a great run.
Race 8 (4:00PM AEST): Open Handicap (1620 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 3 Jimmy The Bear
Jimmy The Bear (3) settled too far back after drawing wide last start over this course and distance and it proved costly with him finishing 3.3 lengths second despite working home well.
The Patrick & Michelle Payne-trained gelding was excellent two starts back when defeating Regal Zeus and Verdad in a half-length win over a mile at Caulfield.
He never runs a bad race and is at peak fitness.
From the good gate Tom Prebble, who claims 2kg, can settle closer in the run.
Race 9 (4:35PM AEST): 3YO Open Handicap (1100 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 9 Fieldelo
Fieldelo (9) won on debut at Kilmore before being sent to the paddock for a break.
The daughter of Deep Field returned recently over 1000m at Bendigo and couldn’t have been more impressive.
She settled handy before producing a devastating turn of foot that put her rivals to the sword and delivered her a seven-length win that was over seven lengths above benchmark.
She carried 62.5kg that day and won’t know herself here as she drops to just 54kg.
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 12/07/2025 11:27:38pm AEST and subject to change.