Last Saturday, the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington headlined the feature meeting of the weekend. Meanwhile, Rosehill and Doomben hosted strong support cards. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth following throughout the campaign.
Flemington
Rail position: +10m entire circuit
Race 4: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:03.63
- Horse to follow: Fortunate Kiss (3rd)
Fortunate Kiss made her debut for the Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans stable and finished strongly over 1100m. In just her second try down the Flemington straight, this daughter of Divine Prophet settled at the rear of the field and let down with a blistering turn of foot. In the final 200m, Fortunate Kiss recorded the fourth-fastest section of the entire meeting (11.59s) and nabbed third place in front of the race favourite, Midtown Boss.
When to bet: Fortunate Kiss will appreciate a rise in trip second-up, and if the stable can find a 1200m in the same grade, she can go a couple better next time.
Race 8: Benchmark 100 Handicap (1410m) | Time: 1:23.85
- Horse to follow: Holymanz (6th)
Returning after an impressive autumn preparation, Holymanz was very good without much luck. This son of Almanzor attempted to run home from the back of the field but was held up from the 600m to the 150m mark before Mark Zahra could release the brakes. Even so, Holymanz recorded sectional times from the 400m (22.59s) and 200m (11.71s) that ranked inside the top 10 for the meeting.
When to bet: Holymanz finished second in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes and competed in the All-Star Mile, so it is easy to make the case that 1410m was short of his best trip. A rise to 1600m second-up, and even luck, should give him every chance to win.
Rosehill
Rail position: +7m entire circuit
Race 7: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:03.48
- Horse to follow: Spring Lee (2nd)
Spring Lee was heavily backed with online bookmakers first-up at Rosehill over 1100m, and after settling near last on the rail, the Bjorn Baker-trained mare received no luck in the home straight. The daughter of Zoustar had to change tracks three times to get out of traffic before finding clear air in the final 150m. Unfortunately for her connections and followers, Rachel King couldn’t get the four-year-old mare out in time, and she could only manage a second-place finish.
When to bet: With even luck, Spring Lee would have won the race. There is no reason to jump off this up-and-coming sprinter, and if she produces a similar finish in clear air next start, she will win.
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