Moonee Valley didn't produce the profit for which I'd hoped last Saturday but a tough Flemington card represents an opportunity to bounce back this week.
BOOKER (FLEMINGTON - Race 5 No 11)
The smart colt Merchant Navy won the McNeil Stakes but Booker won plenty of plaudits for her effort to finish second after racing up front into a strong breeze before going down by a head at Caulfield. The McNeil Stakes was only Booker's third start after an autumn two-year-old preaparation that produced a win down the straight at Flemington and a sound third in Group III company in Adelaide. She'll only be fitter for that and she'll continue to get better with experience. She faces a good field in the Danehill Stakes but she'll measure up.
BET: WIN
ODDS $5.50 @ Luxbet, Bet365
OZI CHOICE (MORPHETTVILLE PARKS – Race 5 No 2)
I've been following this bloke for a couple of runs and he gets his chance to break through in Adelaide after some excellent runs in Melbourne recently. He was sound when leading for most of the way before going down by less than a length at Flemington on August 5 before finishing a long neck third to the in-form Here To There, who backed up that form with another win at Moonee Valley. He drops slightly from Benchmark 84 to Benchmark 82 on Saturday and the Morphettville Parks circuit will suit his trait of racing near the speed.
BET: WIN
ODDS $3.20 @ Luxbet
HANS HOLBEIN (FLEMINGTON – Race 8 No 6)
Lloyd Williams's Macedon Lodge team has six acceptors in the Japan Racing Association Trophy (2500m), including the Melbourne Cup winner Almandin but I'm going with Hans Holbein to upset a couple of his more fancied stablemates here. He raced handy to the speed and was excellent when resuming at the Valley on August 26 before another solid effort over 2040m last Saturday. He's up into his best distance range on Saturday and from barrier four, can race in his preferred position close to the speed. His first two runs have been good and Hans Holbein is ready to fire on Saturday.
BET: WIN
ODDS $8 @ Sportsbet, William Hill, Luxbet, Unibet, CrownBet
