Flemington Blackbookers and horses to follow from July 5

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: 06 Jul 2025

Adam Cusworth 06 Jul 2025

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Jimmy Recard wins 2YO race at Flemington, eyeing Group 3 SA Sires’ Produce.
Duchess Zou finishes strong in Creswick Stakes, showing potential at higher levels.
Shockletz & Ant shine in Mahogany Challenge Final, promising future performances.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Billy Egan riding Stop The Rock defeating Harry Coffey riding Shockletz in Race 2, the Ken Cox Handicap during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on June 21, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Racing was at Flemington for Winter Finals Day on Saturday July 5 and there were nine races on the programme.

Race 1- 2YO (1200m)- Jimmy Recard
Race 6- Creswick Stakes, Listed, 3YO (1200m)- Duchess Zou
Race 7, Mahogany Challenge Final, 3YO (2500m)- Shockletz & Ant

Here are our blackbookers and horses to follow from the action.

Race 1- 2YO (1200m)- Jimmy Recard

Jimmy Recard landed the prize in the Next Gen Final and looks one to keep an eye on. The I Am Invincible colt stepped out for his second start and gave Jamie Mott the perfect return from a short freshen-up, scoring by a neck over the $2.35 favourite, Bacash. There was a big gap back to third, with Cloisters 3.5 lengths away. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper had excuses on debut after pulling up sore from a firm track at Caulfield, but has bounced back well this prep. The stable have indicated that he is bred to get further ground and the the Group 3 SA Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Morphettville on July 19 looks to be a suitable race for the progressive galloper.

Race 6- Creswick Stakes, Listed, 3YO (1200m)- Duchess Zou

All eyes were on the $1.30 favourite, She’s An Artist, in the Creswick Stakes with the Ciaron Maher youngster unable to reel in Bridal Waltz. Her stablemate, Duchess Zou, ran home well for 3rd and is one that can measure up to Saturday grade. The daughter of Zoustar was stepping up from a BenchMark 64 win at Geelong and settled in the second half of the field but finished off very well with the fastest last 200m to land two lengths away.

Race 7, Mahogany Challenge Final, 3YO (2500m)- Shockletz & Ant

Shockletz and Ant filled the exacta over the 2500m in the Mahongany Challenge Final and both are likely to head to the paddock. Plenty to look forward to for when they return, given their respective performances. Shockletz has risen through the grades and shows a clear fondness for Flemington with two strong wins from her past three starts. Ant was was stepping up in class after a couple of wins at Kembla Grange in Maiden and BenchMark 64 grade. The Chris Waller-trained galloper laid down the challenge late in the piece before just missing out in a photo.