Racing Preview – Emirates Stakes Day – Sat 7 Nov

Emirates Stakes – Flemington
There is a 9 race program at Flemington for Emirates Stakes Day with two Group 1’s, a Group 2, two Group 3’s and a Listed race. The Group 1 $1,000,000 Emirates Stakes over 1600 metres has a field of 16 runners. The early market has So You Think as $3 favourite after his magnificent Cox Plate win. Next in the market is Black Piranha at $9, Gold Salute and Rightfully Yours at $10, Vigor at $11 and Road To Rock at $12.

If So You Think can repeat his Cox Plate performance then nothing here can beat him. Vigor missed out on a run in the Melbourne Cup and although trained for longer he does well at Flemington and has had three 1600m starts here for 2 wins and a second. Rightfully Yours has worked home well at his last 2 starts over 1400m.

Jo’s tips: 1. So You Think, 2. Vigor, 3. Rightfully Yours

Patinack Farm Classic – Flemington
The Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm Classic is a standard weight-for-age race over 1200 metres and has a field of 9 sprinters. The early betting market has Apache Cat as $3.80 favourite, ahead of All Silent at $4.20, Nicconi at $4.50, Mic Mac at $4.80, Bank Robber at $9.50 and Turffontein at $12.

Apache Cat beat Mic Mac by only a short neck at their last outing in the Schweppes over 1200m on 24 October. They have drawn adjacent barriers here which should make things interesting. Both are trained by Greg Eurell and I feel he may get the quinella again. All Silent likes this course with 3 wins from 3 starts here, and should go well again.

Jo’s tips: 1. Apache Cat, 2. Mic Mac, 3. All Silent

Matriarch Stakes – Flemington
The Group 2 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes is a set weights plus penalties race for four-year-old and upwards mares over 2000 metres and there is a field of 14 runners. The race record is held by Makybe Diva. The early betting market has Lady Lynette as favourite at $3.80 ahead of Purple at $4.40. Next in the market are Pravana and Moment In Time both at $6, Estee and Prima Nova both at $12, Bashful Girl at $16 and Messenger at $18.

Purple won the Queensland Oaks in May and is a proven stayer. Lady Lynette has been going very well in 1600m races and finishing strongly so should perform well here. Silvercitymiss ($21) has been racing well in Adelaide including a last start win over 2025m.

Jo’s tips: 1. Purple, 2. Lady Lynette, 3. Silvercitymiss