The penultimate Saturday race meetings for the 2023–24 racing season were held at Flemington, Eagle Farm and Rosehill along the eastern seaboard, with two Listed races headlining proceedings in Victoria and New South Wales. From the Melbourne and Sydney programs, we have found three runners that are worth adding to your blackbook.
Flemington
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 9: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:59.85
- Horse to follow: Big Me (3rd)
After just two starts in Hong Kong, Big Me was sent to Australia to join the Nick Ryan stable. The five-year-old gelding hadn’t raced since October 2022 before making his Australian debut at Flemington last Saturday over 1000m. He travelled well throughout the race, and once he let down with his finish, he charged home to join Moonhaven before peaking on his run in the final 100m.
When to bet: Considering the long layoff between starts, Big Me is expected to take a lot of fitness benefit from his fresh run. If Ryan and his team can find a similar race over 1000m, this guy can go a couple better and record his first win on Aussie soil.
Rosehill
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 4: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) | Time: 1:31.70
- Horse to follow: Imposant (8th)
Kris Lees sent Imposant to Rosehill last weekend after her strong win at Newcastle three weeks prior, and the three-year-old filly was well backed with online bookmakers pre-race. The daughter of Epaulette settled midfield on the fence before Jason Collett gave her a squeeze and got into clear air. However, when it appeared as though Imposant was going to challenge, she was blocked for a run and dropped out of the race to finish second last.
When to bet: Imposant appeared to be going as well as the winner before being blocked, so it is fair to assume she would have played a prominent role in the finish with a clear run. This filly deserves another chance next time.
Race 8: Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) | Time: 1:30.06
- Horse to follow: More Secrets (2nd)
After racing exclusively in Group company during last spring and autumn, More Secrets dropped back to Listed grade last weekend and went very close to recording a drought-breaking win. The Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained mare returned in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara before heading back to Sydney, where she finished much closer to the winner over 1500m. Reece Jones settled the daughter of More Than Ready near the rear of the field before she let down strongly on the outside of the field to finish second, beaten by a long neck.
When to bet: More Secrets improved a lot between her first and second runs this campaign, and if the Hawkes team steps her up to a 1600m race next, she can finally claim a victory.
Top horse racing sites for blackbook features
Horse racing tips
