Races

Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

RACE 1 NO.2 PARLOPHONE

Talented filly PARLOPHONE kicks off her summer campaign when she contests the 3YO Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) and should prove hard to beat. The daughter of I Am Invincible showed her class by winning the Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville in July last year. Her two recent jumpouts in preparation for this race have been first rate and she gets the added bonus of leading jockey Jamie Kah taking the ride. The Mick Price/ Michael Kent Jr stable have picked the ideal race for PARLOPHONE to return as a winner and she represents one of the better bets of the day.


RACE 3 NO.4 ABSOLUTE FLIRT

Whilst ABSOLUTE FLIRT has been out of the winners circle for some time now, the Danny O’Brien trained mare appears to be in terrific form for her return to racing and looks ideally graded when she runs in the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m). The four year old was thwarted by wet tracks last campaign but will get conditions to suit and has trialled like a winner in preparations for this race. She has had four previous runs over the Flemington 1100 metres for three second placings so she is comfortable running down the straight and looks poised to record her third career victory.


RACE 5 NO.3 OVER EXPOSURE

OVER EXPOSURE has been luckless in two runs this campaign and should be ready to peak when he tackles the Open Handicap (1600m). The lightly raced six year old raced in the worst ground when finishing a first-up 5th behind subsequent Standish Handicap winner SIRIUS SUSPECT over 1200 metres at Pakenham on December 5. He then struck trouble in the run when running an unlucky third behind the in-form VASSILATOR over 1400 metres at Flemington on December 19. He looks ready to step up to his best distance, appears drawn for a cheap run and elite rider Damian Lane retains the ride. He’s a very good talent that appeals as the best bet of the day.

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