Saturday Racing Tips Flemington 18/01/25

Flemington is our track of choice for our Saturday horse racing tips this week on a card where handicaps are the order of the day. Despite the racing lacking any stars, there are still some fascinating races in prospect. Our top two picks on the day both look to be well-liked on the betting sites and it is easy to see why. Let’s get stuck into the action with our three picks for the Melbourne track.

(Note: Odds provided by Playup)

Best of the Day

Flemington Race 8 -

#15 Deakin

Win: $2.60
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Place: $1.40
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Next Best

Flemington Race 4 -

#5 Samangu

Win: $2.05
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Place: $1.24
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Roughie of the Day

Flemington Race 9 -

#8 Is It Me

Win: $11.00
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Place: $3.50
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Flemington Race 4 - Black Caviar Lightning Race Day Handicap (1100m)

Selections:
#5 Samangu (BEST BET) - $2.05
#8 Mighty - $3.90
#1 Luna Cat - $9.00
#3 Shaime - $9.50

BEST BET - #5 Samangu - (BEST BET)
Missed 18 months after a promising debut that saw her finish third. One of those in front of her that day was Grizinger Belle who has won Group 3 and Group 2 races since and boasts a rating of 102. Despite a long time away from race action, she has returned with three wins this season, going from the front in the last two of those. The drop-down in trip from 1200m to 1100m should not make any difference to her, especially given her prominent racing style. She should be able to get these on the stretch down the straight.

THE DANGER - #8 Mighty
Not a regular winner but she has run some solid races, including last time out at Moonee Valley when finishing second. She has a smart record when she is fresh like she was that day, both of her career wins have come when she has been first-up. That has to be a little bit of a doubt over her claims of taking out this prize but she has a win and two seconds when Blake Shinn is in charge. Shinn gets the ride again here and that alone is enough to make her the main danger to our next best.

VALUE BET - #1 Luna Cat
Placed in both of her starts this prep and she has a win and a second in four of her runs when she has run at Flemington in the past. Her most recent run was in a slightly stronger contest than this at Geelong and that should have set her up perfectly for this race. That was run in a good time for the level so it should prove to be a strong form guide. Ground and trip are fine for her so she looks like a solid each-way option in a race that looks like an interesting contest.

Flemington Race 8 - TAB Australian Race Day Handicap (2000m)

Selections:
#15 Deakin (BEST BET) - $2.60
#13 Shaiyhar - $7.50
#11 Bold Soul - $9.00
#2 Bankers Choice - $14.00

BEST BET - #15 Deakin - (BEST BET)
Has not managed to get too many races in so far in his career which has proved to be a big issue as he has a poor record when he is fresh. Sat much closer to the pace when winning second time up at Pakenham. Is drawn a touch wider than is absolutely ideal here but at least he won’t find himself trapped on the rail as he did in his first start of the prep. His win last time was over the same 2000m distance as this but he won’t object to this big track as he has form over further.

THE DANGER - #13 Shaiyhar
Is a hugely adaptable type when it comes to distance. He was a decent third at this track over 1800m back in November but has won over 2900m in the past. The return to Flemington looks like a good move from his connections as he is a perfect 2/2 over 2000m at this track. Both of those were a long time ago, however, and he is without a win for more than 500 days. Has finished third in both of his starts in this class so he has to be considered despite the fact that he would ideally be better suited by softer ground.

VALUE BET - #11 Bold Soul
He has won five of his 12 career starts and finished third in four others. In hindsight, he faced an impossible task at Moonee Valley last time out when he was held up right out the back in a race that was run at a very steady tempo. It was the polar opposite the time before where a strong pace really benefitted his run style. He saluted the only time that he has been seen in action at Flemington in the past. A return to this galloping track should play to his strengths as long as they go hard enough in front.

Flemington Race 9 - Flemington Racing Spectacular Handicap (1400m)

Selections:
#6 Verdad - $4.40
#7 Brazen Lady - $5.00
#8 Is It Me (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) - $11.00
#9 Howgoodareyou - $9.00

BEST BET - #6 Verdad - (BEST BET)
Has become a bit of a frustrating type to follow, finishing second in five straight contests, making it seven runner-up efforts in his career with just a single win to his credit. Has had a couple of months to freshen up but has a solid record when he has been fresh in the past, a win, second and a third in three runs when he has been first-up. Has been wearing ear muffs ahead of his races but now he will try them in the race itself. It might just be enough to get him to salute for the second time. 

THE DANGER - #7 Brazen Lady
Yet to finish outside of the places in four previous runs at Flemington, three of those over this same distance. One of those was the only time that she has managed to salute in 10 starts over 1400m but she has finished second or third in seven of the other nine. All of her best form has come on good ground so the underfoot conditions are going to be perfect for her. She is nicely drawn in barrier two to get the perfect tow into this contest. If things fall her way from that location, she is going to be right in the mix when they hit the line.

VALUE BET - #8 Is It Me
Runner-up in all three prior starts at Flemington, two of those over this 1400m distance. Things have not really fallen right for him in either of his starts so far this prep but they suggest that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with back at a track that suits him well. He has won on all sorts of ground and is a consistent type who rarely runs a bad race. Perhaps, he is drawn a little bit wider than ideal in barrier 14 but that is factored into his odds. Has to be a strong each-way angle on the best of his form.

Playup is our top bookmaker for our horse racing tips this week. They regularly provide some of the top fixed odds prices on the open market across all meetings. Odds are provided for almost all Australian horse racing, with many racing promotions for you to enjoy when you have signed up for them. Although they are one of the newer Australian bookmakers, they have quickly gained a great reputation by offering an excellent betting experience. Their slick and well-designed website makes them a great place to bet on our Australian horse racing tips.

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Jockey Of The Day – Linda Meech

Linda Meech is closing in on 2000 winners for her career, sitting at 1941 at present. The 44-year-old only has four rides on Saturday’s card at Flemington but she has some decent chances on the day. Her mounts in the opening two races especially look solid, with the prices from the horse racing bookmakers suggesting that she could salute on at least one of them.

R1 - #5 - Mollynickers - $3.60
R2 - #3 - Cavalry Girl - $4.00
R6 - #3 - Lounge Bar Rubi - $17.00
R7 - #6 - Actuality - $17.00