Laurie Sainsbury is putting his eggs in the 'Waller Basket', hoping for some luck after last weeks' Caulfield races were abandoned.
Note Wayanka and Presscott are dual acceptors – may race at Lakeside on Sunday – stick if they go that way.
SPRINGBOK FLYER (Flemington Race 6 No 9)
This is the 'throw at the stumps'. His form has been fair without winning and since a spell has had the four runs this time in. Two of those runs were on rain affected going, that's not his go. He's a winner over 2700m and 2400m so the trip shouldn't be a worry. However, this stable may have a 'joker' up their sleeve as his runs in Europe at Hannover, Baden Baden, Munich and Bremen were all handy, all those tracks are left handed ways of going. He gets to Flemington, left handed and on to a good rated surface and has drawn to get a lot of favours. Weirs pair are the obvious dangers.
BET: EACH-WAY @ $26 Bet365 and UBet
WAYANKA (Flemington Race 7 No 14)
Had his first run this way of going two starts back at Flemington over 1600m, handy effort when fifth to Thaad then came to Caulfield for a fourth behind Nikitas and Revolving Door over 1400m. Stewards report reads "held up from 400 to 300m and then in restricted galloping room on the inside of My Paissan, the rider unable to ride his mount out in the normal manner". That previous run at Flemington may have been better than it reads as my Racenet form shows "BGW – better going out wide" he was on the inside. Gets a lot better barrier, gets Ben Melham and let us hope he gets some luck as Revolving Door is pressing for favouritism in a Benchmark 84 in race nine.
BET: WIN @ $8 Bet365
PATCH ADAMS (Flemington Race 9 No 7)
The O'Sullivan stable let us down a few weeks back with Jimivag but they may atone here. First-up he chased hard when fifth behind Rich Luck was three wide the trip and took ground off the winner. He's a winner second up and meets Rich Luck 2kg better. And the extra 200m is a plus. Look back at his Flemington form, fourth to Bon Aurum in an Exford Plate beaten 1-3/4 lengths – second to Mahuta in a Carbine Club beaten a neck – ninth to Tivaci and Palentino in a CS Hayes beaten 3-1/2 lengths but was tightened up late in the race. Small each-way and include in exotics for a big result.
BET: EACH-WAY @ $46 Sportsbet
PRESSCOTT (Flemington Race 10 No 14)
This ran around in that race won by Windbern here two weeks back. The winner created carnage by shoving out and in a concertina effect flattened half of the field. Stewards reported "held up from the 600m and for the entirety of the straight, went to the line untested". His record is not impressive and his price supports that, however, he was travelling like a horse that could have been in the finish. There looks to be ample pace here as he will be again at the rear of the field, let's hope he gets a look in late. Eureka Street and Seattle Park can be included as they were in the backwash.
BET: EACH-WAY @ $13 William Hill, Luxbet and Centrebet
KEEN ARRAY (Sandown Lakeside Sunday Race 7 No 3)
Resumes here after a handy effort in the Winterbottom at Perth, he's a winner first-up. Ran second in the Coolmore to Japonisme, third was Counter Attack and he's raced well in Group races previously. This stable collectively have the best sprinters in the land and they would have set him for this and give Regan Bayliss a winner on his comeback day, unless Tashbeeh spoils the party. He was prominent in a recent jump out at Flemington and had plenty to offer. The speed will be on and provided he gets off the fence late he should run super.
BET: WIN @ $7.50 Sportsbet and Ladbrokes
