We’re back racing at Headquarters on Saturday with nine races scheduled across the program.
Rain earlier in the week has another wet track forecast, while the rail being out a whopping 11 metres makes this a tricky meeting to navigate for punters.
With big value across the program, see where we’ve landed ahead of all nine races this Saturday at Flemington down below.
PORTALINGTON (2) has spent a good chunk of time racing at Saturday grade and looks ready to win now for Phillip Stokes.
The two-year-old son to I Am Immortal has placed in two of his three runs at Morphettville this prep, just doing a few things wrong down the straight last time out off a four-week break.
He’s still figuring things out but has shown enough late speed in his two recent contests to suggest he’ll be a real handful from the inside gate.
| 2. Portarlington (1) J: Craig Williams 59kg 1×932T: Phillip Stokes | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 at Morphettville Parks 2yo Bm66 on June 6 over 1250m, on a wet track; nose behind Tweeter carrying 59kg at $1.70. The race before that ran on from midfield; 3rd of 10 at Morphettville in the G3 David Coles on May 9 over 1200m, slow going 1.75 len behind Brave Hustler with 57.5kg at $4.60. Gets every hope and should give a sight. | |||
HARBOUR TOWN (4) was a convincing winner last start at Sale when facing a heavy track.
The Hayes-trained son to Alabama Express was close to last rounding the turn over the 1700m trip and held up for a run down the outside, before shifting back to the centre of the track where a late split opened up for him to accelerate through.
He appeared to shift through the gears with relative ease and was seen doing his best work over the final 50m or so.
On another wet track and hard fit now fourth-up, the rise to 2000m looks ideal if he can find some early cover from the wide barrier.
| 4. Harbour Town (8) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57.5kg 141T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run favourite; settled well back; won by 1.0 len at Sale Bm62 June 10 over 1717m in the wet defeating Sabeeria with 60.5kg at $3. The run before that 4th of 11 at Caulfield Heath Cg&E Bm66 on May 27 over 1500m, slow going 2 len behind Yam with 58.5kg at $6. Progressive and should measure right up. | |||
ALDER (4) is worth another chance despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 12.
He was found to be lame post-race when finishing down the order at Sandown a few weeks ago, beaten five lengths on a wet track after laying in under pressure.
His previous form was solid however, running second to Any Luck in the Warrnambool Cup after winning quite well on a bottomless track at Terang the start prior.
Given close to four weeks between runs, he should find the box seat early and take catching.
| 4. Alder (12) J: Harry Coffey 57.5kg 42127T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| At the latest run 7th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm84 on May 23 over 2400m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Khor carrying 59.5kg at $8. The start before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 15 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 7 over 2350m, on a wet track; nose behind Any Luck with 54kg at $4. Can do much better. | |||
POKER (14) is a big watch on return for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.
We got a good taste of what this talented son to Spirit Of Boom is all about when he came out and won by 2.75 lengths on debut at Bendigo last year over 1100m.
He was quickly put on ice and sent back to the paddock, trialing up well ahead of his return with a good showing at Cranbourne recently.
Having won on a Heavy 8 on debut, he looks well-placed to roll straight to the front and make his own luck on the speed.
| 14. Poker (3) J: Craig Williams 53kg 1xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Resuming after a lengthy spell. Only one run when tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.0 len at Bendigo Mdn-Sw September 7 over 1100m in the wet defeating Gunz with 57kg at $4.80. Plenty of upside, can play a role in the finish. | |||
TEN COMMANDMENTS (8) is a tried and true wet tracker who has returned well for Ciaron Maher.
The six-year-old got the chocolates when resuming at Sandown on a Heavy 8 last month, prevailing by three-quarters of a length despite racing a little keen in the early stages under Jabez Johnstone.
The pair reunite here from a nice soft gate and the drop back to 54kg thanks to the claim is the key to his chances. If they can get right back in the run and save a little more for the finish this time, they’ll be hard to beat.
| 8. Ten Commandments (5) J: Jabez Johnstone 57kg 741×1T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months scored a big 4.5 len win at Sandown-Lakeside 2yo+ Bm70 May 31 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Keane Enuff carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up ran second last of 8 at Horsham Bm70 on October 19 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Comic Hero carrying 60kg at $14. Clearly the one to beat again. Dominant fresh and looks very hard to beat again. | |||
FIRST CHORUS (8) ticks most of the boxes here on another wet track.
Lindsay Smith’s mare was all class off a five-week let-up at Caulfield a few weeks ago, overcoming a wide run in transit to find some late cover and eventually punch clear to win by over two lengths.
She didn’t have the best of luck here from a wide alley the start prior over 1800m, but does appear suited by the slightly wide gate as she likes to get back and run on her races.
| 8. First Chorus (8) J: Jamie Mott 55.5kg x1291T: Lindsey Smith | |||
| At the latest run favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 2.25 len at Caulfield F&M Bm78 May 30 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating Enna’s Dream carrying 59kg at $1.65. The run before that couldn’t go on with it; 9th of 14 at this track Bm74 on April 25 over 1800m, 6 len behind Mr Blunt with 56.5kg at $3.80. Back in trip off a setback but is classy enough to win again. | |||
RECOMMENDATION (3) is a key chance second-up off a bit of a break.
Ciaron Maher’s speedster was up on the speed at Caulfield in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes over the same trip last month, trying hard for the majority but just lacking the late dash ot go with Hearcomesthstar and Bustling when beaten three lengths.
He’s always ben a serious second-up threat with four wins to his name and strips fitter now with another wet track suiting.
| 3. Recommendation (10) J: Thomas Stockdale 58kg 6×364T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| At the latest run 4th of 11 at Caulfield in the LR Bel Esprit on May 30 over 1100m, in the wet; 3 len behind Hearcomesthestar with 58.5kg at $7. The start before that 6th of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Grand Larceny carrying 59.5kg at $12. Going okay but have a few ahead. | |||
SEAFALL (12) has proven handy on a wet track on her day and gets in nicely here thanks to the claim.
The Autumn Sun five-year-old earned her hat-trick two back at Sandown when she bolted in late down the outside to go 2.5 lengths clear, before running into some late traffic as she looked to replicate that effort in the Swan Hill Cup last time out.
Draws to do no work early from a midfield position and is a definite each-way chance in an open contest over the mile.
| 12. Seafall (9) J: Jackson Radley 54kg 61116T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Most recently 6th of 14 at Swan Hill Sw H Cup on June 7 over 1600m, slow going 1.75 len behind Cartoon Graveyard carrying 54kg at $7. The run before that won by 2.5 len at Sandown-Hillside Bm84 May 23 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Narbold with 54kg at $11. Keeps racing well and should be right there again. | |||
FLYING DONE (3) is third-up and ready to win now for Matthew Williams and company.
The three-year-old son to Kermadec was enormous on return here over shorter last month, leading for most of the way before his condition gave out and he was forced to settle for second.
A bit went wrong second-up here over the mile a fortnight ago on a very wet day, with Dean Yendall reporting his ride never really handled the conditions. The tactics were also in question, but if the track is a little drier on Saturday, we should see him bounce back with the soft gate gifting the pair every chance.
| 3. Flying Done (5) J: Dean Yendall 57kg 11×25T: Matthew Williams | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming led but faded 2nd of 11 at this track 3yo Hcp on May 16 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Concord Connie carrying 59kg at $17. Second-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 12 at this track 3yo Hcp on June 6 over 1600m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Kaleo carrying 59kg at $4.40. Interesting ride last time, should be peaking now on better ground. | |||