Flemington and Randwick took the spotlight last Saturday, with multiple Group races featured on the two programs. Meanwhile, the Gold Coast, Murray Bridge and Bunbury held strong supporting cards throughout the day. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that you should add to your blackbook so you can track them in future starts.
Randwick
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 8: Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) | Time: 1:33.94
- Horse to follow: Tom Kitten (4th)
Tom Kitten had put in two lacklustre performances on his return in the Eskimo Prince Stakes and Hobartville Stakes, but the James Cummings-trained colt finished an unlucky fourth behind Celestial Legend in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas last Saturday. The son of Harry Angel settled near the rear of the field and was held up until the 200m mark before pushing through a gap late. Although he has yet to win this preparation, this galloper is clearly looking for further than 1600m and should be peaking fourth-up.
When to bet: The Group 1 Rosehill Guineas appears to be the ideal race for Tom Kitten next. Over a more suitable 1800m trip and with race fitness on his side, the colt looks like a great bet at +350 in the Rosehill Guineas futures market with online bookmakers.
Flemington
Rail position: +4m entire circuit
Race 3: Quality Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:25.07
- Horse to follow: Vivy Air (2nd)
One of the better runs in defeat across the country last Saturday was that of Vivy Air at Flemington. Starting her third preparation, the Archie Alexander-trained filly ran home strongly from the back of the field and flashed home into second place behind Legacies, only beaten by 0.4 lengths. After running third in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas last preparation, this daughter of Hellbent has returned well and should go very close to winning over further next time out.
When to bet: Considering Vivy Air performs better on Soft ground (5:2-0-1) compared to Good conditions (3:0-2-0), Alexander may well take his filly to Sydney, where there is more chance of her getting a rain-affected track. In any race against her own age group or sex over 1600m, she should go very close second-up.
Gold Coast
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 5: Class 3 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:08.19
- Horse to follow: John Rambo (2nd)
After a day full of on-speed runners winning at the Gold Coast, the performance of John Rambo in the fifth race must be considered an outstanding run. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding settled worse than midfield and was many lengths off the leaders as the field turned into the home straight. The son of Adelaide then turned on the jets and went straight past the rest of the field in the final 300m as he attempted to chase down the runaway leader, but he could only bring the margin back down to 1.8 lengths.
When to bet: With a strong record at 1200m (6:3-2-0), Gollan and his team could take John Rambo to another race over six furlongs at Eagle Farm, where he is undefeated at the track and trip.
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