Flemington Racing Tips October 29 - Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes & Empire Rose Stakes

The Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes are the three Group 1s taking place. Get our previews for all three races.

In Secret remains the favourite of the field currently and for good reason, as she brings the premium Sydney Form into the race coming off blistering runs behind Zougotcha and Jacquinot who also finds himself in this race. Think she will go very well down the straight with J Mac on her back and she’ll win and establish herself as the next young star of the 3YO class. Jacquinot is one we already mentioned and of course, he comes out of The Golden Rose win and The Everest. Both Races set him up excellently here and now back to his own age group, he’ll be a major player. Coolangatta is always a consistent type and I am very keen to see her go down the Flemington Straight, think she is probably the best value in the race. Best of Bordeaux remains the best roughie of the race, especially if the outside lanes are running hot, he could go to the front, kick on and blow them away. 

Selection: In Secret

Berkeley Square and Sharp ‘N’ Smart both come here off wins last week, one in the Moonee Valley Vase and one in the Spring Champion Stakes. I usually prefer Sydney form, but I feel as though the Vase is the way to go here. Sharp ‘N’ Smart appeared to really strain to get there, whereas Berkeley Square was quite strong through the line, indicating he had more in the tank so I think he gets a great run here. Muramasa presents as a great value play, considering he is constantly chasing and is strong through the line and crying out for a bigger track and a longer distance, he gets both here. Pericles is building to this nicely, throw in a red-hot trainer and a champion British jockey and you get yourself a great run on paper, they just need to put things together on race day.

Selection: Berkeley Square

La Crique is the real unknown here coming into this with New Zealand form which is nothing compared to European form, yes she is coming off some fantastic runs, but this could be a different kettle of fish. Yearning looks way over the odds here loving the conditions and the distance of the mile. The only downside is that wide barrier but if Damien Thornton is able to get some cover for her, she can give them a red-hot crack in the final stages. Icebath is always the bridesmaid never the bride, can she finally get her Group 1 here? The head says no, but the heart says maybe because she does swim after all and the mile is her go, throw on Craig Williams and surely, just surely she finally fires a shot. Love the week back up for Nimalee and she can certainly work to the line well here, just like last week when she was only worn down in the final stages, I think she can figure nicely here. 

Selection: Yearning