Racing for Saturday 17 January 2009

Chester Manifold Stakes – Flemington
At Flemington the main race of the day is the Listed $150,000 Chester Manifold Stakes over 1410 metres with a field of 15 runners. The early market has Silky Smooth as favourite at $4 following his 2 wins over 1400 metres. Next in the market is Orbit Express at $6, Count To Zero at $6.50, Scenic Silver at $7, Rok Posta at $8.50 and Mastercraft at $10.

Rok Posta won his last start in good style on New Years Day over this course and distance, and Mastercraft also looked good winning at Caulfield on 3 January. The eight-year-old Royal Ida is a good each-way chance at long odds.

Jo’s tips: 1. Rok Posta, 2. Silky Smooth, 3. Mastercraft
 

Kensington Stakes – Flemington
The Listed $125,000 Kensington Stakes over 1100 metres has attracted a field of 11 runners. The early favourite is Commanding Hope at $3.90, marginally ahead of Immortality at $4.20. Next in the market is King Hoaks at $7, Bowhunter at $9 then Snappy Tom, Secret Flyer, Juggle The Books and Stolit all at $10.

King Hoaks won the Standish at his last start. He has won 2 of his 3 Flemington starts, and the failure was on a heavy track. Commanding Hope is first up after a spell and has won 2 of his 3 first-up starts. Secret Flyer looked good winning over 1200 metres on 27 December.

Jo’s tips: 1. King Hoaks, 2. Commanding Hope, 3. Secret Flyer
 

Telegraph Handicap – Wellington, New Zealand
The Group 1 NZ$1 million Telegraph Handicap over 1200 metres will be run at Trentham racecourse on Saturday, and is one of New Zealands major races. There is a field of 18 plus 6 emergencies and as one horse has already been scratched then the first emergency will get a run.

The favourite is Anthony Cummings trained Turffontein at $5 who will race in New Zealand as Lord Turffontein. He has drawn barrier 19 which will come into 15 if no more emergencies get a run. He will be ridden by Glen Boss and is Cummings first starter in New Zealand.

Jo’s tips: 1. Fully Fledged, 2. Lord Turffontein, 3. Altered Image