Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets Posted on December 31, 2021January 1, 2022 | Posted by Deane Lester RACE 2 NO.6 MRS SIPPY MRS SIPPY looks well placed to break a frustrating runs of placings when she contests the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 70 Handicap (2000m). The six year old has been thwarted by tricky draws and race patterns of late including a last start 4th from a wide draw in a leader dominated race won by GENTLEMAN ROY over 1400 metres at Flemington on December 18. Significantly, she drops back to racing against her own gender, appears drawn for a good run and in-form apprentice Josh Richards takes the ride. It’s an even field however MRS SIPPY gets her chance to win a city race and represents the best bet of the day. RACE 6 NO.7 MR PICKWICK MR PICKWICK should be at peak fitness following three runs back from a spell and appeals as a great value chance when he runs in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (2000m). The four year old was a city winner over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley last campaign and showed that he is returning to that form with an excellent 4th behind HIGH ‘N’ DRY over 1600 metres at Pakenham on December 4. At his last start, he was ridden against his natural racing pattern by being restrained at the start in a slowly run race, ultimately finishing 6th behind SWISS HERO over 1750 metres at Geelong on December 21. The Patrick Payne stable have already notified stewards that he will return to his normal pattern of racing and, with the benefit of Madison Lloyd’s 3kg claim, should give a great sight at good odds. RACE 9 NO.8 CRESTANI CRESTANI hasn’t enjoyed much luck of late and will appreciate dropping in class when he tackles the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m). The four year old was one of the hard luck stories of Melbourne Cup week when finishing unplaced over 1400 metres at Flemington on November 2. Trainer Pat Carey elected to freshen the son of Nicconi after that run and he probably found the distance too short and raced without clear galloping room when finishing 7th behind MILEVA in the Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on December 11. This is a much easier task over his best distance, gets the services of champion rider Damien Oliver and now has the benefit of a run down the Flemington straight course. It’s a big field but there doesn’t look many winning chances and CRESTANI is poised to record his 4th career victory. Market Market
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview May 29, 2025 Race 1 HEARTOFAHLIA (4) raced consistently last time in and a recent 3rd in a Pinjarra trial indicates that he should give a great sight… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 12 May 29, 2025 THURSDAY Brisbane v Essendon, Gabba, 5.30pm Brisbane sent a timely reminder to the football community that they have a major role to play in the… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets May 28, 2025 Cannington Race 10 No. 6 Pad Up Owen Don’t come more consistent then this bloke, very honest chaser who will be up on speed and… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Pinjarra Preview May 27, 2025 RACE 1 DESERT WHISPER beat home HAIDA GWAII in a 3 year old 1000 behind Kay Tee Why first-up and meets her 2.5kg better at… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Sale Preview May 27, 2025 Race 1 GROUND CONTROL has been jumping out well for his debut and quickened nicely to win his latest jumpout. MILLENIUM BLADE stuck on ok… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview May 27, 2025 Race 1 ALTA FREEWAY (1) has the form on the board and the good draw, has good early speed and will need it with TANTABIDDI… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets May 27, 2025 MANDURAH Race 5 No. 1 Starlight Twix I’ve been tipping her for quite a while, she’s now changed trainers, but most importantly here she gets… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview May 26, 2025 Race 1 HE IS TALKING (7) was driven like the best horse last week and just came up short, looks very hard to beat and… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets May 26, 2025 Northam Race 7 No. 1 Lady Sherwood This is a hot free for all race, as good as it gets for a country race on… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview May 24, 2025 RACE 1 BEYOND THE WALL is quick and should have no trouble crossing these (unless Rosay Allday is desperate to lead with 52.5kg). Either way… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets May 24, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 1 Bezzecchi We will go again this week on the blue boy, stack of early speed in this race, they can’t… Read More