Victoria’s premier race meeting on Saturday will be hosted at Flemington racecourse were we see an eight race meeting with the feature race being the David Bourke Provincial Plate.

There has been rain about in Melbourne this week although with Flemington’s fantastic drainage systems we should be racing on a dead or slow track at worst.

Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet

Race One: Ken Cox Hcp 1410m Form Guide

Back Me: Theodora was super impressive last start when making up a lot of ground late on the talented Lady Lakshmi whom she will face again here. The tempo in her last start didn’t fit her running style and with what looks to be a race with more speed she should be given every chance.
Don’t Back Me: The Bowler has won his last two races although he steps back up to city grade here and with 59kg and barrier 10 to contend with i think he is a risk at the odds.
Big Danger: Lady Lakshmi was heavy supported last start and proved too good for them on the day. Apart from our on top selection here she looked to have the measure of all other runners and they are likely to fight it out again on Saturday.
Roughie: The Yowie raced wide at Morphettville first up this preparation and im happy to forgive that run. Last preparation he was contesting some good form races and wasn’t beaten far, expect a good run at big odds.

$500 Theodora Free Bet

Race Two: Banjo Paterson Hcp 2520m Form Guide

Back Me: Vatuvei had the saddle slip last start at Randwick were i thought he was a very good chance in the race. Finds an easier field here and despite having to carry the top weight in the race should show too much class.
Don’t Back Me: Police Gazette failed in easier company last start and he finds a tough field here. Looks outclassed against a couple in the race.
Big Danger: Cooldini won impressively last start over the same course and distance. Chad Schofield wont be able to claim on Saturday but with 54kg he should again be very hard to beat.
Roughie: Pretty Adamant rarely places but is never far away on the line. He has been contesting some very good form races of late and should run a back race in easier company here and with a slightly better barrier than he draw last start in the Andrew Ramsden.

$500 Vatuvei Free Bet

Race Three: Bruce Gadsden Hcp 1200m Form Guide

Back Me: Winta Chiller got back in her run last start in what i think is the best form heading into this race on Saturday and hit the line strongly to only just miss. She goes up in weight here slightly but also draws a good barrier which i think is a massive benefit for her.
Don’t Back Me: Scapolo was gallant last start although the run didn’t impress me too much. Hasn’t won second up and would have preferred a wet track.
Big Danger: Committed is a very lightly raced galloper who won as the long odds on favourite on debut when heavily backed then was sent out as favourite in town when running ninth. Returns from a long break and showed he has a ton of ability and should be right in the finish.
Roughie: Impulse Buy over the 1200m is likely to go to the front and he has shown he is a very consistant galloper having placed thirteen times from eighteen starts. If the race is slowly run expect him to be there at the finish.

$500 Winta Chiller Free Bet

Race Four: Brian Beattie Hcp 2000m Form Guide

Back Me: Space gapped them last start at debut over 2000m at Geelong and looked a very promising stayer which ties in with the Lloyd Williams and Robert Hickmott team. Should be kept safe on Saturday.
Don’t Back Me: Star Rolling won well last start and meets many of the runners in that field here but the increase in weight and barrier 17 make me think he can’t repeat his efforts of a fortnight ago.
Big Danger: Underestimation will carry the top weight in the race but he drops back in grade here and finds a winnable race. Should get a good run from the barrier and be hard to beat.
Roughie: Spring Cheer was superb two starts ago when making up a stack of ground over this distance to win in what was a slowly run race and wasn’t entitled to be in the finish let a lone winning. Looks a promising stayer and a win wouldn’t surprise.

$500 Space Free Bet

Race Five: Troa/luxbet Championship Hcp 1410m Form Guide

Back Me: By The Way has drawn very wide here but his running pattern is to go back so it won’t affect his chances on Saturday. Hit the line very strongly last start and there looks to be a good tempo in this race which will set it up for him.
Don’t Back Me: Club Command went close last start at Flemington although with just 53.5kg was beaten by a horse with 6.5kg more than it. Goes up in weight here and has drawn a wide barrier. It’s hard to say he can win when he failed last start where he was much better suited.
Big Danger: That’s The One will be carrying the top weight in the race but he has been running in career best form of late including and impressive win last start over the same course, distance and class and from barrier 2 will be given every hope.
Roughie: Cornwell Park has had a change of scenery now trained by Darren Weir in Wangoom and often horses can improve in doing so. He has shown he has a lot of ability in hos 28 race career and is very well weighted in this race. Has won at the distance and could be a blow out in the race.

$500 By The Way Free Bet

Race Six: David Bourke Provincial Plate 1610m Form Guide

Back Me: Lord Durante has a perfect record over the mile with two wins from two tries and i think he can continue the unbeaten streak on Saturday where he is very well weighted and drawn to replicate the efforts of his last two starts which resulted in back to back wins. Likely to go forward in the race and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of speed here which should allow for a sluggish tempo which will work in his favour.
Don’t Back Me: The Cleaner will be first up on Saturday in which he usually races well when doing so. Has had four starts over the distance for three wins but in saying that they were in easier company and from a wide barrier with a big weight he is a risk at the odds.
Big Danger: Clanga’s Glory won a good qaulity race at Bendigo on a Saturday meeting over the same distance. Meets a similar field here and doesn’t get penalised in the weights from that win and should be in the finish.
Roughie: Midnight Glory has failed at his last two starts but they were both on a heavy track, should get better conditions on Saturday and has a very good record at Flemington so the $26 looks good value.

$500 Lord Durante Free Bet

Race Seven: All Victorian Hcp 1100m Form Guide

Back Me: Zamorar is dropping from Weight For Age conditions here so he will carry a similar weight to what he did against a good field last start. Happy to put a line through that run as he was coming off a long break and was posted very wide throughout the race. Should get a good run from barrier 2 and if he shows the quality he did last preparation should be winning.
Don’t Back Me: Serene Star is a consistant galloper although she has had two starts at Flemington without placing. Finds a tough field on Saturday and is weighted poorly and has drawn wide. Prefer to leave her out.
Big Danger: Perturbo drops in grade here from Group 1 company in SA which has had the form franked with Conservatorium winning at Ipswich on the weekend. Will get back in the run and with good speed on will be coming home fast late.
Roughie: Broken didn’t have the best of luck last start but hit the line well late. Doesn’t get in the weights too well here but still should run a big race at double figure odds.

$500 Zamorar Free Bet

Race Eight: Eugene Gorman Hcp 1410m Form Guide

Back Me: Goldslick will race against her own sex on Saturday which should see an improved showing. She will carry the top weight but she has been in great form including running Lights Of Heaven to under 2L two starts ago which is good enough form to beat these.
Don’t Back Me: Euphorbia raced well last start although it was in a mid week meeting which i dont think the form around is that strong so at the odds im happy to dismiss her on Saturday.
Big Danger: Bia Diamond hit the line really well last start in a good race at Swan Hill. Gets a slight weight drop from that run and she should appreciate the big straight at Flemington.
Roughie: Innocent Lady will start at massive odds of $51 on Saturday and i think she is a big chance. She loves the distance, runs well fresh and gets a good weight drop from her previous start. Expect her to start shorter.

$500 Goldslick Free Bet

Best Bet: Race Six Number 12 Lord Durante

Next Best: Race Seven Number 4 Zamorar

Best Roughie: Race Three Number 10 Winta Chiller