Flemington
Race 6 – Cote Atlantique
Jockey – Declan Bates
1400m – Barrier 12
Talented galloper Cote Atlantique takes on Listed company when he returns to Headquarters this afternoon. The gelded son of Kodiac looked all-over the winner in Adelaide last start before settling for third in the Leon Macdonald Stakes, and needs to improve today to be competitive in a stronger field. Jockey Declan Bates draws awkwardly towards the outside and will need luck to find his position early, looking for cover midfield before peeling out to run on and challenge late.
Speed is solid with Sass Appeal, Lim’s Saltoro and Harry’s Run all to drive forward in the early parts, while expect Fancify to roll across from the extreme outside and apply some pressure from the start. Sass Appeal lowered her colours to Fancify at Caulfield last start, but her form prior is excellent and she’s unbeaten from four starts at Flemington. Back on top of the ground is in her favour; she’s clearly the one to beat. Cafe Millennium was sound enough when resuming and always improves with a run under his belt. Flemington/dry ground suits, each way claims. So too Just Party and Welcometotheshow, who bring Goulburn Cup form. Fancify and Aztec Ruler next.
Cote Atlantique has come through his Adelaide run in terrific order and gives every indication a good performance should be expected today. If he gets even luck in running, he can figure somewhere in the finish. Each way claims.
Currently, Cote Atlantique is a $26 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 2 – Belle Flamme
Jockey – Ryan Hurdle
1350m – Barrier 8
Four-year-old mare Belle Flamme is first-up since April when she finds dry ground at Donald this afternoon. The daughter of Rubick was solid on debut at Ballarat Synthetic last preparation over 1200-metres, improving up in trip at subsequent starts before finding the paddock after an okay effort on heavy ground at Terang. Jockey Ryan Hurdle leaves from a middle ate today and can let his mare find her feet early, settling in the second half of the field before running on in the home straight.
Speed comes from Gresford and Come Dancing in the middle of the line, while expect Shaykhlislamova and You Said What can punch through from underneath that pair to hold forward positions into the bend. Millsy’s Award closed strongly first-up on the Synthetic and comes here fitter for that effort twelve days ago. He’ll enjoy a soft run midfield or worse and a similar finale today will see him hard to hold out late. Hardest to beat. You Said What shapes as the other main chance in the race, having been around the mark of late. She draws for every possible in gate one and could take catching late. Each way claims to Bellitsy and Sacre Bleu.
Belle Flamme will improve on whatever she does today, better with race fitness and over more ground next start. She’ll be given the chance to relax in the run before finding clear room to run on late. Look for her to be warming up through the line; top four chance.
Currently Belle Flamme is a $4.40 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 6 – Tupac
Jockey – Cian MacRedmond
2200m – Barrier 2
Five-year-old galloper Tupac looks to bounce back to form when he heads to Royal Donald this afternoon. The gelded son of Shamus Award was sound two back in stronger grade at Mildura before despising the heavy conditions at Geelong last time out, suited ack on top of the ground today. Jockey Cian MacRedmond leaves from an inside gate and can find the lead in the early parts, looking to control the race throughout and leaving a kick in the locker late.
Fiorowngood looks the only challenger to Tupac for the lead early, while Just Swift can find their backs on settling. Verifier is back in grade having been around the mark of late and did go close in a similar event here in June. He’ll be back in the field and making his run on the bend. Hard to hold out. Forever Jeune looks the other main threat following a strong closing effort at Warracknabeal last start. She’s another who’ll be making ground late. Each way claims to Just Swift and Kawa.
Tupac should get every chance from the front today and will enjoy racing back on top of the ground. An effort similar to that at Mildura has him right in this, each way claims.
Currently, Tupac is a $23 chance in the market.