Weekly preview / Kristen Manning / 03 July 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

A strong card on what used to be Grand National Steeple Day at Flemington this Saturday - the programme now highlighted by the Listed Winter Championship Final and finals of two other race series contested at the provincials by three-year-olds, writes Kristen Manning.

Several last start winners contest the Winter Championship, making it an open and challenging affair. Toppie Sand Sweeper won't be the big odds he was when proving too strong in last Saturday's Flemington heat.

He gets in with the same weight here (a hefty 59kg but as the winner of over $480,000 he has earned it) and he is one of Australia's most versatile gallopers - able to win over 1400m when his previous run was the Von Doussa Steeplechase! No reason why, from a better gate this week (three here, 11 last week) he can't win again.

Gold Salute on the other hand has drawn horribly in 19. There can be no doubting the strength of his recent form though, the tough five-year-old winning his last two at Flemington in determined style. The concern for him - as well as the luck he'll need from the gate - is the last 200m as he is yet to win at the mile.

Another in-form galloper is Davcon who justified his short quote winning at Moonee Valley a couple of weeks ago. He is proven at the trip and is capable on any sort of going.

Famous Roman wasn't far away in the Sand Sweeper heat and the former WA galloper strips for three encouraging Melbourne runs. He is twice a stakes winner fourth up and he looks nicely primed for the 1600m.

Also catching the eye behind Sand Sweeper was O'Reilly's Clock who is already a mile winner at HQ. It has been a little while since he last saluted but his last two runs have been excellent and if there is pace on he can finish all over the top of them.

Just in front of him last week was Tictacs who railed home strongly over the final stages. He is yet to be tried at the 1600m but is bred for a trip and a win is not far away.

Likely to give a bold sight - and get on if there is any bias to leaders - is the pacy Woodwin. He is racing in career best form of late and, providing he can get across without working too hard from barrier 14, he will be hard to run down.

A winner of a Ballarat heat is The Fonz who finished hard from a long way back on heavy going. He probably needs a bit of rain to show his best but the 1600m is his pet trip and he is flying.

Imported mare Ghostmilk was only just pipped by The Fonz and she too has strong claims here - if conditions suit. For her it is a case of the wetter the better.

Emergency Just Say Sumthink should not be overlooked. She was in great form before an unlucky run behind Sand Sweeper. Beaten only 2.6 lengths, she had very little room in the run home.

Benelli was only just beaten by Gold Salute in a heat two starts back and upon stepping up to the 1600m at Sandown last start was too strong for a handy field (Davcon third).

So lots of chances which makes this a terrific betting race. Suggest you have two or three bets, checking out which of the main chances looks the best value close to the race. If it rains, include The Fonz and if the emergency sneaks a run don't dismiss her.

The Rivette Series Final for three-year-old fillies is another interesting race. Most of these girls boast consistent form and a couple worth keeping an eye on who may be decent odds are Blue Sky Girl and Arms Wide Open. Both were out of the placings at their most recent outings, but neither had a lot of luck.

Another three-year-old feature is the Silver Bowl Series Final. Have to like the way Red Hustler has been finding the line and Cascabel looks ready for the 1600m. Distant Ruler is a good looking horse who fights on strongly.

The staying race is the Banjo Paterson Series Final and this is another race with good depth. Look for those who can definitely run a trip - such as the in-form Elmore and the two times Flemington winner Grand Destiny. Doosra Diamond can improve after racing wide last time and He's Something has to be a big chance after an unlucky fifth here last week.

The speedsters are catered for in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final. Gran Sasso is in career best form and shooting for a hat-trick whilst his conqueror here in mid-May - Midnight Mustang has been freshened. And he races extra well that way.