Races

Deane Lester’s Flemington Best Bets

Deane Lester’s Best Bets

RACE 1 NO.4 YES YES YES

YES YES YES made a very good debut at Moonee Valley recently and looks a strong winning chance when he contests the 2YO Plate (1100m). The son of Rubick found the exciting filly BROOKLYN HUSTLE too good for him over 1000 metres on December 1 but he was also very impressive and will relish the extra distance of this race. Champion trainer Darren Weir hasn’t been renowned for producing early season two year olds but looks keen to change that trend and YES YES YES looks the ideal horse to break through for an early season win.


RACE 3 NO.2 MASCULINO

Talented middle distance galloper MASCULINO will be fitter for two runs this campaign and appears ready to strike form when he runs in the Benchmark 84 Handicap (1720m). The four year old has won five of his 13 starts to date and comes off a last start 11th behind MANUEL in the Kilmore Cup (1600m). That doesn’t read that well but he has only beaten 3.3 lengths and never got a chance to build momentum around the tight Kilmore circuit. He is far better placed in this race and gets the benefit of Lachlan King’s 3kg claim. He has more upside than his rivals in this field and can bounce back to winning form.


RACE 9 NO.3 TRUE EXCELSIOR

TRUE EXCELSIOR has been freshened up from her spring campaign and looks very well graded when she contests the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 84 Handicap (1100m). The four year old didn’t enjoy a great spring including a luckless 9th behind DIVINE QUALITY in the Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Derby Day. She looked good winning a recent Geelong jumpout and it’s only four starts back that she did run 4th  behind SHOALS in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in May. That’s an irresistible formline for this grade of race and TRUE EXCELSIOR looks ready to turn her form around and record her third career victory. On a tough program, TRUE EXCELSIOR represents the best bet of the day.

Market Market