Australian Cup – Flemington Race 7
One of the great Autumn Group 1 races is upon is with the Australian Cup run over 2,000 metres at Flemington this Saturday. It’s set to be a mouth-watering clash with Fiorente, the best stayer in the country, and Shamus Award, who is proving to be the best middle-distance runner with two Group 1 victories.
Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has yet to run a poor race in Australia. He’ll start a short-priced favourite and deservedly so. His two 2,000-metre runs have produced a fourth and third, but he wasn’t far from winner either of those races.
Shamus Award is no longer the maiden that won the Cox Plate, after a super victory in the Australian Guineas last week. He’ll lead it up and will once again be hard to run down. Perhaps the pace might set it up for a horse like Foreteller, but also keep an eye out for Thunder Fantasy. We mentioned him as value last week when he finished 3rd in the Australian Guineas, and he could be the one to upset the two favourites.
Verdict: This is Fiorente’s race to lose and we’ll be backing him. Will also be placing a smaller win bet on Thunder Fantasy.
Newmarket Handicap – Flemington Race 6
This Group 1 race for the best sprinters in the country is over 1,200 metres and offers a really tough race to find a winner. Current favourite is Samaready, but her opposition includes last year’s winner Shamexpress, multiple Group 1 winner Moment of Change and arguably the most promising sprinter in the country in Lankan Rupee. There will even be challengers from big odds with Spirit of Boom, Pago Rock and Bernabeu all with their chances.
Verdict: We’ll take the value offered on Moment of Change. MOC is the top weight, but has carried weight before, is a proven Group 1 winner and was runner-up in this race last year. MOC has won or placed in 16 of 21 career races.
Chipping Norton Stakes – Warwick Farm Race 5
There are question marks over Boban after two rather poor performances while It’s A Dundeel resumes first up. Punters seem united in their support for It’s A Dundeel who might even start odds-on. We see no reason to go against It’s A Dundeel here.
Take note: The above tips are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always bet responsibly. Happy punting!
