Gilbert Gardiner's best bets for Flemington on Saturday
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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY
RACE 4: SILVER BOWL SERIES FINAL (1600m)
$25 each way FROM A DISTANCE (8) at $7/$2.20
Four starts into the three-year-old's first racing campaign some query, but loved the way the Needs Further gelding drove through an interrupted run last start to finish second behind the in-form Taken. Not the clearest path but stuck to the task and got within a length on the post. Favourite KNOBELAS (9) has been super impressive the past two starts, winning by big margins, but faces stronger opposition here. From A Distance should be in the finish again somewhere along with Symon Wilde-trained stablemate DARKBONEE (10).
RACE 7: MAHOGANY CHALLENGE FINAL (2500m)
$100 win SHOCKLETZ (3) at $4.20
Did everything but win last start at Flemington, sustained a strong run from back in the field with a big weight to finish second. Four starts under the belt for the campaign including the past two at 2000m. The 2500m trip on Saturday looks ideal and gets in a fraction (½ kg) better on the weight scale. Shockletz powered home to win at Flemington two starts back. Wary of BEARINGS (16), finished strongly last start at Flemington. POLITELY DUN (1) the class horse in the field back from a solid Queensland Derby performance, placed eighth.
RACE 9: LEILANI SERIES FINAL (1400m)
$25 each way RUNNING BY (1) at $8/$2.50
Taken a couple of runs to rebuild fitness and looks incredibly well-placed back in Fillies and Mares grade on Saturday, having taken on the boys the past two starts. Last start third behind Hughes at Sandown, and that horse is not without a chance of winning the Listed Winter Championship Series Final on Saturday. Running By has won two of eight starts at 1400m previously and placed on another four occasions. Drawn to get a lovely run and could be hard to hold out despite STYLISH (5) being a worthy favourite.
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QUADZILLA
LEG 1, RACE 6
SHE'S AN ARTIST (5) is clearly the horse to beat – won her two career starts by a combined nine lengths and done so in electric times on each occasion. Bolted in last start 1100m at Flemington by 3.8 lengths. Rising in weight and distance but would only need to hold form to win again. FIELDELO (8) chased the favourite last start and should not be overlooked. More suited at 1200m and has slight weight swing on She's An Artist.
1ST LEG 5, 8
LEG 2, RACE 7
SHOCKLETZ (2) tried hard last start at Flemington but a big weight and sustained gallop ultimately got the better of the emerging stayer. Suited up to 2500m on Saturday and hard fit. BEARINGS (16) caught the eye late last start to run fifth in the same race as Shockletz. Bearings won a 2230m race – albeit Newcastle Class 1 three back – on a Heavy deck so the extra distance – up to 2500m – unlikely to be an issue. Respect POLITELY DUN (1). Won impressively at Flemington two back and then luckless in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
2ND LEG 1, 2, 16
LEG 3, RACE 8
OH TOO GOOD (10) could not have been any more impressive last start at Flemington, travelled behind the speed and walloped them. JIMMY THE BEAR (3) has enjoyed a peak preparation. Should be in the finish somewhere. Include MUNHAMEK (6).
3RD LEG 3, 6, 10
LEG 4, RACE 9
STYLISH (5) bolted in last start and primed to go again. Luckless start prior so could easily be three for three for the campaign. RUNNING BY (1) ready to peak third-up? Scratched from an easier option last Saturday due to a wide barrier and saved for this. Back against her own age too. Definite winning chance. SASSY BOOM (4) drawn poorly but not without a chance. MOLLYNICKERS (3) has raced well without much success – deserve a win.
FOURTH LEG 1, 3, 4, 5
FLEMINGTON QUADDIE
Race 6: 5, 8
Race 7: 1, 2, 16
Race 8: 3, 6, 10
Race 9: 1, 3, 4, 5
COST $100 FOR 104 per cent
SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with SHE'S AN ARTIST (5) and FIELDELO (8). In the second leg take POLITELY DUN (1) and SHOCKLETZ (2). Then in the third leg take OH TOO GOOD (10). Come home with RUNNING BY (1) and STYLISH (5).
Race 6: 5, 8
Race 7: 1, 2
Race 8: 10
Race 9: 1, 5
COST $100 FOR 625 per cent
Gilbert Gardiner
Sports reporter
Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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