A good nine-race card entertained punters on a winter's afternoon at Flemington on Saturday and the meeting should produce some performances to follow in the coming weeks.
TSARITSA
The Chris Waller-trained mare is ready to win after a strong effort with 60kg at Flemington on Saturday. Tsaritsa dropped from open class in Sydney to a BM90 affair in Melbourne and the four-year-old did a good job to get within 1 ¼ lengths of the winner Schism, who carried 7kg less than the runner. Tsaritsa was tried and not disgraced in Group class during the autumn but looks set to be competitive among the Melbourne mares in the next few weeks.
Career record (17:4-3-2).
Race to look for – Mares' raced over 1400 to 1600m.
MOONOVERMANHATTAN
This bloke won then Group II Moonee Valley Vase as a three-year-old in 2014 but could not win another race before injury kept him off the scene for more than a year. Moonovermanhattan had his first start for the Darren Weir stable on Saturday and did a good job when beaten 3 ½ lengths in an unsuitable 1100m race down the Flemington straight. The stewards report noted the gelding was tightened after beginning awkwardly but worked home soundly despite not being under too much pressure late in the race. He might need another one or two runs and a bit more ground to hit his best but keep a close eye on his progress after a good first-up run.
Career record (18:2-1-2).
Race to look for – Open handicap at 1400m-plus.
TYPHOON JOLIE
Typhoon Jolie has started at huge odds but turned in good performances at her last couple of runs and can notch a win soon. The John Sadler-trained mare was 80/1 and hit the line for a good fourth in a Group III race in Adelaide two runs back before stepping to 1400m and doing her best work last when finishing two lengths from the handy Cannyescent at 60/1. The daughter of Shamardal showed plenty of ability in Sydney early in her career and just might be getting back to that level. Watch for her in a restricted race in the coming weeks.
Career record (21:4-2-1).
Race to look for – Mares race or restricted race against the males over 1200 – 1400m. Possibly a mile.
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