Racing Preview – Sat 4 July

Winter Championship Series Final – Flemington
Flemington has an 8 race programme with the major race being the Listed $200,000 2009 VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final over 1600 metres. There is a full field of 16 plus 3 emergencies and the topweight is Sand Sweeper with 59kg.

The early market has Davcon as favourite at $4.60 following a slogging 1500m win at Moonee Valley on a heavy track 2 weeks ago. Next in the market is Benelli at $7.50, Makeadreamcometrue at $8, Gold Salute at $8.50, O’Reilly’s Clock at $9.50, Rubijon at $11, The Fonz at $12 then Woodwin and Sand Sweeper both at $13. Gold Salute has won well at his last 2 starts here, Benelli won well at his last start and Davcon is in form.

Jo’s tips: 1. Gold Salute, 2. Benelli, 3. Davcon

Queensland Cup – Eagle Farm
The $150,000 IPG Print Queensland Cup over 3200 metres has a field of 11 stayers. It is one of the few remaining 3200 metre (the old 2 miles) races left on the Australian calendar and every horse in the field apart from Singing Sovereign is from an imported sire. Topweight with 58kg is Kerdem who won the race last year.

Early favourite is Phaze Action at $2.90. He was 2nd in the Caloundra Cup last week but was over 3 lengths behind the winner and rises 3kg in weight. Next in the market is Cape Breton at $5, Alexander of Hales at $6, Kerdem at $7.50, Glistening at $9 and Petushki at $10. Jedi Starfighter ($14) has been running in weak grades but looks a genuine staying type.

Jo’s tips: 1. Phaze Action, 2. Kerdem, 3. Jedi Starfighter

Civic Stakes – Rosehill
The Listed $100,000 Myer Civic Stakes over 1400 metres is a quality handicap for three-year-olds and upwards. It had originally attracted a field of 16, but here are now 15 runners as Sequinella has been scratched.

The early market has Mr Unforgettable as favourite at $4, ahead of Strat’s Flyer at $6.50, Without Compromise at $7.50, Prince Braeman at $8.50, Soiled at $9, then Gergis and Cocoruru both at $11. Prince Braeman has won his last 3 in a row in weaker grades and relishes the heavy going, Strat’s Flyer looked good winning first-up at Gosford last start, and Mr Unforgettable won his last 2 starts by good margins and has a nice light weight to carry.

Jo’s tips: 1. Prince Braeman, 2. Strat’s Flyer, 3. Mr Unforgettable