Races

Deane’s Flemington Saturday Selections

Deane Lester’s Preview

RACE 5 NO. 4 ARCHIVES

The Danehill Stakes (1200m) has brought together a handy field of three year olds, however ARCHIVES has the talent to emerge as one of the leading colts of his age group and represents terrific each way value. The son of Helmet has only had two starts for a debut third before a smart win in the Hampden Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 21. He looks to have enjoyed a strong preparation leading into this race having trialled well in Sydney before a good jump-out at Flemington recently. He will wear blinkers for the first time and ARCHIVES can stamp himself as a Guineas contender with a strong performance in this race.


RACE 6 NO. 6 KINGLIKE

Talented sprinter KINGLIKE kicks off his spring campaign when he tackles the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and a strong performance can be expected. The four year old won the Danehill Stakes at this meeting last year before enduring a series of luckless runs. The Gerald Ryan trained stallion races well fresh and looked sharp in a recent Rosehill trial. Whilst he finished unplaced, rider Kerrin McEvoy had him under a firm hold for the majority of the straight and could have finished much closer. He is very well weighted in this race and is drawn for a great run so KINGLIKE looks a terrific winning chance at each way odds.


RACE 9 NO. 13 PILOTE D’ESSAI

Imported galloper PILOTE D’ESSAI should be closer to peak fitness with two runs under his belt and looks the testing material when he contests the Spring Is The Season Handicap (1700m). The Hayes/ Dabernig trained entire has been very good this campaign finishing runner-up in both outings, most recently his 2nd behind ROYAL RAPTURE over 1500 metres at Moonee Valley on August 20. He will appreciate the slightly longer trip on the spacious Flemington track and this race should springboard him into bigger races. It’s a competitive race but PILOTE D’ESSAI appeals as the best bet of the day.


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