There is plenty to like about the Team Hayes-trained Tijuana at Flemington on Saturday, including the juicy odds of $11.
RACE 1
THE HASS hit the line with gusto last time at Lakeside after sitting back and racing very wide. Came home in 2nd fastest last 200m of the race and was well backed to start favourite. Like his wider draw here and will appreciate the hot tempo. Looks great value at $8.50. STARLEA can run a race at $13 too.
SUGGESTED BET: The Hass each-way at $8.50.
TIPS: The Hass 1, Starlea 2, River Noire 3, Anilla 4.
RACE 2
Plenty of value in a tough race. THE PRODIGAL SON hasn’t had things go his way of late. Liked his run here two starts when he had to be used up to lead and only collared last 100m behind Brung King. Raced wide last start at Lakeside and again battled on in the straight. Like his grandstand side draw here and gets Ollie on board. Happy to take $4.80 but not too much shorter. JET JITSU had no luck getting clear room until the race was over at Geelong when resuming. Placed down the straight in January and is a chance.
SUGGESTED BET: The Prodigal Son to win at $4.80.
TIPS: The Prodigal Son 1, Jet Jitsu 2, Rockribbed 3, In Her Stride 4.
RACE 3
GANGITANO has always shown some promise and always indicated he will relish 1400m. Liked the way he found the line at Caulfield when resuming and draws to get the gun run here. Gets the blinkers on to keep his mind on the job. Happy to take the $6 now as he may start shorter on raceday. WARLORDS looks the danger. He was very impressive in his debut win at Sale and Blake Shinn sticks with him.
SUGGESTED BET: Gangitano to win at $6. Taking 3 and 6 in boxed exacta.
TIPS: Gangitano 1, Warlords 2, Extreme Spirit 3, Imminance 4.
Queen Air, ridden by Dean Yendall, wins at the Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
RACE 4
Happy to be with QUEEN AIR first-up and more than happy to take $8.50-$9 about her. She is a VRC Oaks placegetter so we know she has class. She won first-up over this trip last campaign and liked her recent jumpout which she won in a canter. There’s decent speed on here and she will be the one charging home late. HELL HOUND had the favours to win over this trip last time and draws well again to get the gun run.
SUGGESTED BET: Queen Air each-way at $8.50.
TIPS: Queen Air 1, Hell Hound 2, Fearnought 3, Cardigan Queen 4.
RACE 5
Keep coming back to MIMI’S AWARD and reckon she will start shorter than the $5 on offer now. She has been brilliant winning her last two here, she gets the firm track conditions she likes, she will be suited by the genuine tempo and, after the claim, she meets Mostly Cloudy 1.5kg better for beating him last time. Like the fact she has been kept fresh too. MOSTLY CLOUDY is at his top now and looks the danger again.
SUGGESTED BET: Mimi’s Award to win at $5.
TIPS: Mimi’s Award 1, Mostly Cloudy 2, Alhambra Lad 3, Teewaters 4.
RACE 6
No doubt SHAIYAR was disappointing here in June but his win this track and trip prior was full of merit. Had a break since and was very impressive winning a 1400m jumpout with a leg in the air recently. Does shoot up in the weights but down in class and gets the blinkers on. Like the fact Blake Shinn is back on board too. Happy to take the $4.60 now. ARISTONOUS has had a month off and looks suited by the big track here, while COURT DEEP will be on pace and can take running down.
SUGGESTED BET: Shaiyar to win at $4.60.
TIPS: Shaiyar 1, Aristonous 2, Court Deep 3, Trosettee 4.
RACE 7
IT’SOURTIME has had six tries at this t/d for a win and four seconds and he does look absolutely cherry ripe now. Produced fastest 400-200 and last 200 splits of the day when not far off Ingratiating at Caulfield and back to this track will suit him. Well weighted too and $4.20 looks good odds. GENERAL BEAU has never won at this trip but he was just gunned down by Ingratiating last start and his only G1 placing was over 1200m. He’s the big danger.
SUGGESTED BET: It’sourtime to win at $4.20. Take 2,4 in boxed exacta, quinella.
TIPS: It’sourtime 1, General Beau 2, Dance To Dubai 3, Cause For Concern 4.
Mimi’s Award, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, is too good for Mostly Cloudy at Flemington.
RACE 8
BRAYDEN STAR may well be at his right price at $3.60 but still want to be on him. He was great running on hard behind Unusual Culture here and then again stormed home late at Rosehill a month ago. Drawn perfectly to get a good run off speed and Ollie is back on board. He’s ridden this bloke to his only two Aussie wins thus far. ARRAN BAY is back to his best and suited this trip. Watch for FRENCH EMPEROR to improve.
SUGGESTED BET: Brayden Star to win at $3.60.
TIPS: Brayden Star 1, Arran Bay 2, French Emperor 3, Presser 4.
RACE 9
What a cracking race. TIJUANA looks wonderful value at $11. Thought his run was better than it looked on paper last start when he battled on behind Cause For Concern. He just couldn’t quicken under 59.5kg. Drops to 53kg, draws to get the gun run on speed or just off it, is a Listed winner this t/d and at his top third-up. FLYING MASCOT is a class mare suited at this distance and second up. Gets the blinkers on.
SUGGESTED BET: Tijuana 1, Flying Mascot 2, Berkeley Square 3, Windstorm 4.
RACE 10
Hard to go past the highly talented BENEDETTA. With the claim, comes in well at the weights in this grade, has excellent straight course form here and looked a million dollars winning a jumpout with ease. Can’t take the $1.85 at the moment but she may start longer on raceday. Happy to have a small each way bet on ZAC DE BOSS. He has a good record this course and distance.
SUGGESTED BET: Small each way play on Zac De Boss at $19.
TIPS: Benedetta 1, Zac De Boss 2, Najem Sohail 3, Pioneer River 4.
BEST BET: Mimi’s Award (race 5)
BEST VALUE: Tijuana (race 9)
Source: racenet.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
