Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Posted on June 4, 2021June 4, 2021 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 2 NO.2 LA VINA

The Lindsey Smith trained mare LA VINA will be fitter for two runs this campaign and looks a strong winning chance when she contests the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m). The daughter of Artie Schiller recorded a good first-up win over 1200 metres at Warrnambool on May 4 before dropping back in distance and ran an honest 5^th behind MODEAR over 1100 metres at Flemington on May 22. She is looking for the extra distance of this race and looks drawn for a good run with Damien Oliver in the saddle. The main danger looks to be SNICKERDOODLEDANDY, who always has solid WA form and should be fitter for two runs this campaign. It looks a good quinella with a slight leaning to LA VINA.

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RACE 3 NO.12 CHIEF ALTONY

Progressive galloper CHIEF ALTONY has returned to racing in great form and looks the standout bet of the day at Flemington when he runs in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m). The four year old is building a fine record of three wins and seven placings from 11 starts to date and comes off an emphatic win over 1400 metres at Ballarat on May 19. Trainer Alexander Rae has astutely taken CHIEF ALTONY through the grades and should continue to reap the rewards in the future. He is drawn for a cheap run and use his strong finishing burst over the final stages to record his fourth career victory.

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RACE 7 NO.4 NAMAKWA

NAMAKWA is making progress as a young stayer and looks ready for the step up in class when he tackles the 3YO Quality Handicap (2000m). The son of Dissident has been very patiently handled by the Maher/ Eustace stable, who are without peer as developers of young staying talent. He recorded a good win over 2100 metres on the Ballarat Synthetic track on May 17 and drops 5.5kg for that win. He wears blinkers for the first time, in-form rider Ben Allen takes the mount and he should his own luck from an inside draw. It’s a competitive race with several chances, however NAMAKWA is poised to run well and represents the value bet of the day.

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