Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Posted on February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 1 NO.5 CRYSTAL PEGASUS

Progressive imported stayer CRYSTAL PEGAGUS has been racing well in Sydney and looks ideally placed to make a winning debut in Melbourne when he contests the Benchmark 84 Handicap (2000m). The Chris Waller trained gelding is a four time winner over 2000 metres and comes off a last start win over that distance at Rosehill on January 29. He was only second-up from a spell on that occasion so he appears open to further improvement. Elite rider James McDonald retains the mount and CRYSTAL PEGASUS appeals as one of the best bets of the day.

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RACE 3 NO.5 YONCE

Unbeaten mare YONCE is striving to making it four consecutive wins when she runs in the Fillies and Mares BM78 Handicap (1600m) and appears well placed to make it a quartet of wins. After her debut maiden win over 1200 metres at Mornington, the daughter of Proisir recorded a dominant win over 1400 metres at Sandown Hillside on January 5 before a fighting win over 1400 metres at Caulfield on January 26. The best win of that trilogy was her runaway victory on the spacious Sandown Hillside circuit so the Flemington track and a wider draw should be to her liking. John Allen has built up a fine rapport with YONCE who should prove hard to beat again.

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RACE 5 NO.4 SOCIALIST

SOCIALIST is a good talent from the Maher/ Eustace stable that has freshened up after a brave run at the Magic Millions carnival and looks the one to beat when she runs in The Vanity (1400m). The daughter of Capitalist presents with the best form in this race coming off her last start third behind KING OF SPARTA in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 15. Her previous Sydney form reads well for this and last season’s champion rider Jamie Kah takes the ride. She only needs to overcome an awkward draw and she should prove too good for this field.

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