Listed Bagot H., $200,000, 2800m
Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) recorded a much deserved victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup and again looks the one to beat. He has 6kg more to contend with here but has shown that he is a capable weight carrier.
Meeting him better at the weights is the Pakenham Cup runner-up Good Idea (So You Think {NZ}). He has not managed a win this time in but just keeps racing well.
Another five of the remaining nine runners are last-start winners, making this an interesting form contest. Dragon Storm (NZ) (Shocking) is back in trip but was a tough winner of the Listed Sandown Cup. A change of tactics proved successful for Skelm (Animal Kingdom {USA}) at this track last start but he does have a trickier gate here.
Tigertiger (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) attempts to become the second staying handicap winner for his sire at Flemington this season, deserving of a crack at this stronger grade having impressed winning three of his last four. Also up in class is Guns Ablazing (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) who boasts a similarly stout pedigree. Fellow New Zealand-bred High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is in good form finishing second at two of her last three starts.
Listed Chester Manifold S., $160,000, 1400m
It will be interesting to see how the in-form import Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) measures up here having been so impressive winning all three of her local outings at BM84 level.
A few of her rivals have shown a definite liking for Flemington - Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He's Remarkable {NZ}) out of the placings only once from five starts on his home track whilst Yulong January (King Of Prussia) has won four of seven. He had excuses first-up and has won second-up on two occasions.
Crosshaven (Smart Missile) is a dual Flemington winner with a good overall strike rate and Blazejowski (Dash For Cash) - who was not far away when sixth in this race last year - has three Flemington wins on his resume. Second Slip (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) made his track debut last start and was always travelling well.
The regally bred South Australian visitor Farooq (by Frankel {GB} out of the Group 1 mare Rostova by Testa Rossa) has finished off strongly at his two runs in stakes class this campaign and Looks Like Elvis (All American) is also racing well.
