Racing Preview – Sat 31 Jan 2009

Lightning Stakes – Flemington
At Flemington the main race of the day is the much anticipated weight-for-age Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes over 1000 metres with a field of 11 runners. All eyes will be on Apache Cat and Weekend Hussler as all other horses in the field are at double figure odds in the early market.

Weekend Hussler is having his first start since his failure in the Caulfield Cup back in October and punters will be hoping this great horse can recapture his fantastic form that has given him 12 wins from 17 starts. The early market has him odds-on at $1.90. Apache Cat is a wonderful sprinter and is currently at $3.20 

Jo’s tips: 1. Weekend Hussler, 2. Apache Cat , 3. Swick

CS Hayes Stakes – Flemington
The Group 3 $200,000 CS Hayes Stakes over 1400 metres for three-year-old colts and geldings has attracted a field of 10 runners. In the early market Heart Of Dreams and Keano are equal favourites at $3.30, followed by Fair Trade at $6.50 and the rest of the field at double figures.

Fair Trade is the least experienced horse in the field with only one race start which he won well. Keano won his last start at Flemington and Damien Oliver will be riding him again. David Hayes has 2 runners in this race, which is named for his father. These are Stokehouse and Wookah, who are both chances in this fairly open field.

Jo’s tips: 1. Fair Trade, 2. Keano, 3. Heart Of Dreams

Tasmanian Derby – Hobart
The Group 3 $200,000 Cadbury Tasmanian Derby over 2200 metres is a set weight race for three-year-olds, and there are 10 starters. The short-priced favourite is the David Hayes trained Reprisal who has won 3 of his 7 starts including a last start win of over 7 lengths on this track in the Guineas over 2100 metres. He is currently in the red at $1.70.

The early market has his main rivals as Mount Everest, who has won his last 3 races in a row, at $4.60, Brunello at $7 and Lara’s Glitter and Betwixt both at $9.50 with all other runners at double figures.

Jo’s tips: 1. Reprisal, 2. Mount Everest, 3. Brunello