Races

Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

RACE 2 NO.4 FLYING MASCOT

Talented mare FLYING MASCOT is building a very good record and looks the one to beat again when she contests the Matron Stakes (1600m). The four year old took her record to five wins from 12 starts with a dominant win in the Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 26. The daughter of Tavistock will appreciate stepping up in distance, appears drawn for a cheap run and goes well for developing rider Blaike McDougall. Whilst TURAATH and PROMISE OF SUCCESS will provide strong opposition, FLYING MASCOT continues to improve with racing and should prove hard to beat again.


RACE 5 NO.4 ARGENTIA

ARGENTIA has been solid in two runs this campaign and appears ready to step up in distance when she tackles the Kewney Stakes (1600m). The daughter of the great FRANKEL produced a stunning first up win in the Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 12 before being thwarted by an inside draw in a slowly run race when finishing 2nd behind LAVISH GIRL in the Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 26. There are two key elements to her chances in this race in that she will appreciate getting onto the spacious Flemington circuit and she has drawn away from the rail in barrier six which will allow her to be ridden a touch quieter, balance up and show her true talent which should be good enough to win this race.


RACE 8 NO.8 AIM

AIM can he a hard horse to follow, however he’s big odds in the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) and appeals as a good longshot at this meeting. The four year old won the 2021 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick last October but has been well beaten in three subsequent runs. He is a pure dry tracker that should get conditions to suit and looked quite unlucky when finishing 12th behind ELEVEN ELEVEN in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 15. A recent trial at Randwick would suggest that the son of Star Witness is in peak condition and a bold showing at good each way odds is on the cards.

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