Races

Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Deane Lester’s Best Bets

RACE 3 NO.4 BANQUO

BANQUO made rapid development during his last campaign and the Danny O’Brien trained colt looks poised to make a winning return to the track when he runs in the 3YO Handicap (1100m). The son of Written Tycoon broke his maiden over 1400 metres at Sale on October 27 before stepping straight into stakes class and winning the Hilton Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 9. He backed up a week later and ran a solid 4th behind PRETTY BRAZEN in the Sandown Guineas (1600m). He has been freshened since that preparation and looked very sharp in a recent 800 metres trial at Werribee on December 31. This is a very suitable race for him and BANQUO looks the best bet of the day.


RACE 4 NO.2 ROGUES POINT

The 3YO Benchmark 70 Handicap (2000m) is a race for lightly raced progressive stayers and the Anthony Freedman trained ROGUES POINT looks the ideal type to step up in distance and run well again. The son of Mawingo scored a solid win over 1500 metres at Cranbourne on December 27 before running a brave 2nd behind OCEAN HEART over 1600 metres at Sandown on January 8. He has had four runs back from a spell with a distance increase on each occasion and looks ready to step up to this middle distance and ran another bold race.


RACE 6 NO.4 TURN THE TIDE

TURN THE TIDE is enjoying a good summer campaign and looks well placed again when he contests the Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m). The four year old scored a tenacious win over 1400 metres at Caulfield on December 26 before a luckless 5th behind CONQUEROR over 1400 metres at Caulfield on January 4. His form card would suggest that he appreciates a bit of galloping room so the outside draw is not a great disadvantage and, most importantly, Dwayne Dunn regains the ride and he seems to get the best out of the son of So You Think. It’s a competitive race with several chances, however TURN THE TIDE is a good winning chance at each way odds.

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