The Melbourne Cup Carnival finishes at Flemington on Saturday with three Group 1 races: the Champions Sprint, the Champions Mile and the Champions Stakes. There are nine races, with Race 1 at 12:40pm AEDT. The track was rated a Good 4 at the time of writing.
Tempted in the Champions Sprint (Race 6) is our best bet. The Randwick win last start was strong, and Tempted looks the one to beat. Autumn Glow is a very short price in the Mile and is hard to oppose, but the price leaves little value. Litzdeel in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Cripps in the Fisher Stakes are our each-way value plays.
Race 1 - Inglis Banner (1000m)
Selection: The Chancer Current odds: $9.00
A two-year-old race with very little form, so treat it with caution. The Chancer is a first starter from a strong stable and gets a light vote at a good price. Soldi is the only runner with winning form after leading all the way on debut at Caulfield, and is the main danger at the top of the market. Natural Emotion is another debutant from a stable to respect, and Steel Point is a roughie for exotics.
Selections:
- The Chancer - $9.00
- Steel Point - $41.00
- Soldi - $3.00
- Natural Emotion - $9.50
Race 2 - Ronald McDonald House Vic/Tas Mile (1600m)
Selection: Fiorenot Current odds: $3.25
Fiorenot has won twice at Flemington and won first-up this preparation, so gets the nod. Superfabulistic was beaten narrowly when heavily backed at Warwick Farm and is the main threat each way. Hiyaam Proud has drawn barrier 1 and should lead. Mount Bona returns to Saturday city racing and is the other one for exotics.
Selections:
- Fiorenot - $3.25
- Superfabulistic - $4.40
- Hiyaam Proud - $15.00
- Mount Bona - $14.00
Race 3 - Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m)
Selection: Litzdeel Current odds: $6.50
Litzdeel has placed three times from six runs this preparation, including a third at Bendigo last start. The trip should suit, and at the price this is our each-way play. Pinhole has won two of four this campaign and is the clear form danger at the top of the market. King Pedro has won every previous start as favourite, and Bella Montagna is the long shot for the trifecta.
Selections:
- Litzdeel - $6.50
- Pinhole - $3.20
- Bella Montagna - $31.00
- King Pedro - $4.60
Race 4 - Fisher Stakes (1200m)
Selection: Cripps Current odds: $19.00
This is a big field and an open race, so we take a value runner. Cripps resumes after 22 weeks off and won last start at Swan Hill on a soft track. Barrier 14 is wide, which is the risk, but the price is generous. Hankee Alpha won first-up and backs up seven days later as the favourite and the main danger. Pallaton and Immortal Star both won fresh and can run into the placings.
Selections:
- Cripps - $19.00
- Hankee Alpha - $3.10
- Pallaton - $19.00
- Immortal Star - $16.00
Race 5 - TAB One Pool Matriarch Stakes (2000m)
Selection: Soverato Current odds: $6.75
Soverato won at Flemington last start and comes from a stable to follow. From barrier 2 she looks good value against a shorter-priced favourite. Too Darn Discreet has won three times at this track and placed twice this campaign, so is the main danger. Perfect Ten placed fresh, and Sun Gift is an each-way roughie.
Selections:
- Soverato - $6.75
- Too Darn Discreet - $4.20
- Perfect Ten - $20.00
- Sun Gift - $34.00
Race 6 - VRC Champions Sprint (1200m)
Selection: Tempted Current odds: $1.90
This is our best bet of the day. Tempted is in top form after winning well at Randwick last start, and looks a clear step above most of this field at weight-for-age. The price is short, but this is the one to beat. Joliestar was only just beaten at long odds at Randwick and is the biggest threat. Point Barrow has won the last two starts at Caulfield and is a longer-priced danger, and Charm Stone placed fresh.
Selections:
- Tempted - $1.90
- Point Barrow - $26.00
- Joliestar - $5.00
- Charm Stone - $31.00
Race 7 - VRC Champions Mile (1600m)
Selection: Autumn Glow Current odds: $1.22
Autumn Glow is chasing a fourth win in a row after another Randwick victory and has drawn barrier 2. This is the most likely winner, but at $1.22 is better used in multis and exotics than as a straight win bet. Lindermann won strongly at Randwick and is the best of the rest. Tom Kitten has good form at Flemington, and Buckaroo was just beaten here last start. Both are place chances.
Selections:
- Autumn Glow - $1.22
- Lindermann - $15.00
- Tom Kitten - $14.00
- Buckaroo - $14.00
Race 8 - TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
Selection: Aeliana Current odds: $2.60
This looks like a two-horse race. Aeliana was beaten narrowly as favourite at Flemington last start and has drawn well in barrier 4, which earns a slight edge. Cosmic Crusader won easily here last start and has won four of seven this campaign, so there is very little between them. The wide draw for Cosmic Crusader tips us towards Aeliana. Birdman has drawn barrier 1 and is the best of the others, ahead of Sir Delius.
Selections:
- Aeliana - $2.60
- Cosmic Crusader - $3.20
- Sir Delius - $8.00
- Birdman - $6.25
Race 9 - HKJC World Pool Grand Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Educated Current odds: $3.80
Educated won at Seymour last start and steps back up to Saturday city company in good form. Tres Magnifique has placed in all three runs this preparation and was only half a length from the winner at Caulfield. The wide draw in 19 makes it an each-way play. King Tut has placed second-up before, and Esmahli won last start at Cranbourne.
Selections:
- Educated - $3.80
- Tres Magnifique - $10.00
- King Tut - $18.00
- Esmahli - $13.00
