Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Posted on December 20, 2019 | Posted by Deane Lester

Deane Lester’s Best Bets

RACE 1 NO.2 SECRET BLAZE

SECRET BLAZE has been racing in terrific form of late and looks the one to beat when he contests the Open Handicap  (2500m). The four year old recorded consecutive wins at Morphettville and Moonee Valley before a brave 2^nd behind ETAH JAMES in the Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 7. He will be improved by that run over 2500 metres and looks very well graded in this race. The in-form DEFIBRILLATE appeals as the main danger and it looks a good quinella but SECRET BLAZE is poised to record his sixth career win.

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RACE 4 NO.4 ALL HARD WOOD

ALL HARD WOOD kicks off his summer campaign when he tackles the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1400m) and a forward first-up showing can be expected. The five year old is unbeaten in two starts over 1400 metres and has won two of his three fresh runs. He has trialled very strongly in recent weeks and trainer Richard Laming has him primed to produce a peak first-up performance. Champion rider Damien Oliver takes the mount and ALL HARD WOOD represents good each way value in a competitive race.

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RACE 7 NO.5 YULONG JANUARY

YULONG JANUARY has been in flying form and looks ideally placed to complete a hat-trick of wins when he runs in the Open Handicap (1400m). The four year old has recorded dominant victories over this distance by leading all the way at Ballarat and Pakenham in recent weeks and faces a similar scenario here. He drops 4.5kg on his win in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on December 7 and should get an uncontested lead. He’s won five of his 11 starts to date, makes his own luck and appeals as the standout bet of the day.

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