DEANE LESTER FLEMINGTON CUP - 2800m, Flemington R6
The Deane Lester Flemington Cup is the feature race in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Flemington Cup was injected into the program in 2020, after respected form analyst Deane Lester argued for its inclusion to have a race named after the most famous racecourse in Australia. Earlier this year it was renamed in Lester’s honour after his sad passing.
The race has attracted a handy enough field for an off-season staying affair, and the early money has been for Mostly Cloudy from the Busuttin & Young yard, who are having a good winter.
Mostly Cloudy is having his first campaign in Australia after a career in the UK that saw him win a handful of races in ratings grade, and has been building his form and distances over the last couple of months. Fourth-up now at 2800m after running third to two in-form horses in Fawkner Park and Naval College, he is surely peaking.
Mimi’s Award looks the logical danger after her big win here in the Banjo Patterson two weeks ago, coming two starts after another good Flemington staying win in May. She’s in the zone at the moment, and we know the Hayes camp can keep a horse in-form. The big challenge here is meeting Mostly Cloudy 4kg’s worse on the WFA scale.
Le Baol won his hurdle maiden by a lazy 25 lengths a fortnight ago, but his previous flat form was inferior to that of Mimi’s Award. That was his first win since September 2020, so if confidence has been gained from it then he may well be in the mix.
Ferargo is impossible to knock. He’s won five races since last May sneaking his way through the grades, along with placing another five times from his 10 stars in that time period. Despite having almost a year off, he picked up where he left off and was dominant third-up at Morphettville last time out.
Last year’s Brisbane Cup winner Irish Sequel will carry the number one saddlecloth and the 60kg’s, and is ready to peak third-up himself. The Waller/Oliver combination must always be taken seriously, and he’s been working his way into form chasing Zoumon north of the Murray. He’ll relish the step up to 2800m.
There might be knock-out chances to The Good Fight, French Moon and Port Guillaume in what could be a tactical affair. There is no typical leader in the race, so it might be slow going at various stages and a race that is crying out for an aggressive rider to take charge.
Selections: 1.Mostly Cloudy 2.Ferargo 3.Mimi’s Award 4.Irish Sequel
MOSTLY CLOUDY
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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