Flemington will host Saturday Racing in Melbourne this week and the relatively newly formed race, Deane Lester Flemington Cup highlights the day. The Flemington Cup is a pathway for horses that have one eye on the Melbourne Cup and want to set a training schedule into the big race. On paper this year it's just a fair field but the winner will consider moving forward with Spring aspirations, and in particular the country cups. On Saturday race one starts at 12:05pm (AEST) and will be run over 1800m. The track is currently rated a Soft7, and my three best bets are below!
Flemington Racing Tips: Saturday, July 18th 2026
Race 1: TAB Byerley Handicap 1800m - 12:05 (AEST)
(1) Ko Phangan has barrier 1 in the first and I think the colt will style behind the leader in this race. This race is easier but he does have to carry more kilograms with Craig WIlliams on top. Two weeks ago here he was beaten by Marwooba after he got tired late. Had late support that day and is fitter now. Is short enough but should win even with 59kg.
(2) Notified was too good for them last start at Ballarat after settling at midfield. Is up in quality and is up in distance.
(3) Achy Breaky Heart was big odds here 2 weeks ago but made up steady late ground to finish 5th in the same race as Ko Phangan. Was slow away that day but looks 2 to 3L slower than Ko Phangan.
(1) Ko Phangan WIN
$1.85 (4 units)
Race 5: VRC Member Erica McKissack Trophy 1700m - 2:25pm (AEST)
(13) Zebra Finch will need the track to stay Soft or Heavy to win here but comes into this race with fitness on his side. He has gotten back in his last couple over the 1400m and 1600m and has ran on quite nicely so the step up to 1700 looks ideal. Craig WIlliams takes the ride again and he has placed on top previously. Fourth run in this prep and he stays with a relatively low weight. The slight concern is that he hasn’t won in over 400 days.
(9) Lucky Lucky Boom we backed on here last start for a 9th after he led and went too hard and was left a sitting duck late.Will go forward again and Danny O’Brien does have a good Flemington strike rate.
(3) Flying Done battled on very well at Flemington two weeks ago and double figure odds and can do so again. Dean Yendall stays on and the Kermadec/Flying Tessie gelding is only fitter again.
(13) Zebra Finch Each-Way
$9.00/$2.90 (0.50 units)
Race 9: VRC Member Andrew Bostok Trophy 1000m - 4:52pm (AEST)
(9) Landmark is big odds here and at Caulfield he got too far back last start. He is a get back type and his best run was on April 29 at Caulfield over 1000m (2nd). Has a decent record over the 1000m and at his only run down the Flemington straight it was a solid placing. Horses usually improve at their second try down the straight.
(13) Next Stop Iowa has a very good record on Soft tracks and barrier 13 might be the place to be later in the day. WIll want rain after being a beaten fav (3rd) last start when we were on.
(12) El Pibe De Oro was fav last start and was beaten a nose at Ballarat in what was a good effort. The 21-1 on offer ooks too high. No rain will suit and does carry 6 less kilograms.
(9) Landmark Each-Way
$13/$3.20 (0.50 units)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 3, 5, 9
Leg two: 1, 11, 12
Leg three: 2, 3, 7,12
Leg four: 4, 9, 11, 13
