Deane’s Saturday Flemington Best Bets

Posted on March 17, 2017 | Posted by Deane Lester

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RACE 2 NO. 3 THEANSWERMYFRIEND

THEANSWERMYFRIEND is an exciting type from the Robert Smerdon stable that looks the one to beat when he contests the Greg Miles Trophy (1400m). The three year old was dominant winning over 1400 metres at Sandown two starts back before a very brave second behind MR SNEAKY over 1400 metres at Flemington on March 4. He is a bold front runner that makes his own luck and appeals as the best bet of the day.

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RACE 7 NO. 11 VERSTAPPEN

Lightly raced three year old VERSTAPPEN will be fitter for one run back from a spell and looks a great winning chance when he contests the Grand Handicap (1200m). The Danny O’Brien trained galloper resumed from a spell with a solid 2^nd over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on February 24 and has trialled well since that run. In-form apprentice Ben Allen takes the ride and VERSTAPPEN looks to have more upside than most of his rivals. It’s a competitive field but VERSTAPPEN is well placed to record his third career victory.

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RACE 8 NO. 5 HAZZABEEL

One of the feature races is the March Stakes (1400m) and the value runner looks to be HAZZABEEL, who will be improved by one run back from a spell. The six year old was unsuited by a slow tempo but still ran an encouraging first-up 5^th behind STELLAR COLLISION in the Apache Cat Classic (1200m) at Cranbourne on March 3. He will appreciate a step up in distance and the spacious Flemington track will suit his racing style. He won the Kilmore Cup (1600m) last campaign and looks poised to return to that sort of form at nice each way odds.

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