Races

Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Deane Lester’s Best Bets

RACE 2 NO.3 WILD PLANET

WILD PLANET has returned to racing in good form and looks the one to beat when he contests the Poseidon Stakes (1400m). The Team Hawkes trained galloper was gelded after his autumn campaign and returned to racing with a brilliant win over 1200 metres at Ballarat on September 23. He will have been improved by that outing, should appreciate stepping up in distance and was stakes placed at Flemington in his previous campaign. He should make his own luck on the pace and appeals as one of the better bets of the day.


RACE 6 NO.4 DREAMFORCE

Talented Sydney galloper DREAMFORCE makes his Melbourne debut when he contests the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and appears primed for a big first-up showing. The John Thompson trained gelding has built an impressive record of eight wins from 18 starts and has never missed a place in six previous fresh runs. He has impressed in two trials leading into this race, firstly at Randwick and then again at Flemington on September 27. He has a strong finishing burst which is usually an advantage down the Flemington straight and DREAMFORCE looks well placed to make his presence felt in this Group two sprint.


RACE 9 NO.13 PLATINUM ANGEL

The Blazer Stakes (1400m) looks a very open race to finish the Flemington card, however PLATINUM ANGEL will be fitter for one run back from a Queensland winter campaign and appeals as a value each way chance. The four year old made rapid improvement last campaign and resumed with a solid third behind WINTER BRIDE in the How Now stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 22. The extra distance of this race suits and the Flemington track will be to her liking so another bold showing can be expected.

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