Racing Preview for Saturday 7 March

Newmarket Handicap – Flemington
There is a fantastic 9 race program at Flemington with three Group 1s, two Group 2s, two Group 3s and two Listed races.

The Group 1 $1,000,000 Crown Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres has a massive field of 23 runners over the straight six course. The early market is very open with Northern Meteor and Secret Flyer equal favourites at $7.50. Northern Meteor is first-up and won all three of his races in the spring. He won a Randwick trial in February. Secret Flyer has also won his last three including a 4 length win over 1000 metres on 20 February in a much weaker field. 

The next line of betting has Fist Of Fury and Burdekin Blues both at $9 then Time Thief and Swick both at $12. The Queensland horse Burdekin Blues has won his last four and has never been unplaced at this distance. Scenic Blast performs well at this track and is $13 while Swiss Ace is $18. Swiss Ace has won 5 from 6 at the distance, but failed at his only Flemington start. This should be a great race and the trifecta should pay squillions.

Jo’s tips: 1. Burdekin Blues, 2. Secret Flyer, 3. Time Thief

Australian Cup – Flemington
The Group 1 Darley Australian Cup is the other $1 million event on the program. There are 12 runners in the weight-for-age race over 2000 metres.

Early favourite is Theseo at the short price of $2.20. He won his only start at this course when he won the 2000 metre Mackinnon Stakes last year. His two starts from a spell have both been very good with a last start win in the St George of nearly four lengths.

In the early market the next line of betting has Master O’Reilly, Road To Rock and Niconero all at $11 then Pre Eminence and Baughurst both at $14. Niconero looked good winning the Futurity last week and looks as if he will get the extra distance. Pre Eminence is the only three-year-old in the race and looks good enough to run a place with his light weight.

Jo’s tips: 1. Theseo, 2. Niconero, 3. Pre Eminence
 

Chipping Norton Stakes – Randwick
The Group 1 weight-for-age $300,000 Patinack Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600 metres is the main race at Randwick and has a field of 12. There are three mares in the race and they are the top three horses in the early betting market.

Tuesday Joy is favourite at $2.20 after her last start win in the Apollo Stakes on 21 February. Next in the market both at $8 are Hurried Choice and Gallant Tess who came second and third in that race. Next in the betting at $10 are Mentality and Viewed.

Mentality has had six starts over this track and distance for three wins and a second. Vision and Power is being tested at weight-for-age following his win in the Parramatta Cup where he carried 59kg. He is $15 in the early market.

Jo’s tips: 1. Tuesday Joy, 2. Mentality, 3. Vision and Power

Don’t forget the Black Opal Stakes on Sunday and the Adelaide Cup on Monday where there is a large field and the early favourite is currently Banana Man at $5.