A strong wind had an effect on the races around a turn but there were some good efforts to follow out of Saturday's Flemington meeting.
HELL OR HIGHWATER
She's a strong-going mare that has taken time to hit peak fitness but showed she was just about ready to win with her effort at Flemington. She rolled forward and did the work bullocking into the wind down the back straight but she didn't quite settle for apprentice Jake Bayliss. She quickened fairly well early in the straight but the early work told in the last 100m as she weakened to finish third, beaten 2 ¾ lengths, but gave the winner 4kg and runner-up 5.5kg in a sound effort. She's just about ready to roll forward and give them something to chase in more favourable circumstances.
Career record (20:5-3-2).
Race to look for – Mares' races over 1400 to 1600m.
ST VADUZ
It's unlikely St Vaduz would have beaten the winner Anchor Bid in the two-year-old race over 1800m but the colt did an excellent job when stepping up sharply in trip third-up. He wasn't far away over unsuitable shorter distances at his first two runs but should have at least placed when heading to town and jumping 500m in trip. The son of Manhattan Rain improved well from the home turn to get within striking distance at the top of the straight before it went pear-shaped from there. Stewards noted St Vaduz was unable to get clear running from the 500m to the 250m before rider Beau Mertens had to ease St Vaduz again when a run closed again in front him. The most pleasing part was the way St Vaduz picked himself up and hit the line well late to almost pinch third. He'll only get better with racing so follow him on his staying path.
Career record (3:0-0-1).
Race to look for – 2YO or 3YO handicap at 1600m-plus.
LOVANI
This filly has really struck peak form in her last few runs and she should be able to notch another win or two in the next month after her fighting Flemington win. She was the only leader to win a race around a turn at the meeting because of the strong wind and she took all the honours on Saturday despite only scoring by a half-length. Jockey Luke Currie said she wasn't the easiest ride because she was so keen to stride in the early and middle stages but Lovani's fighting qualities enabled her to overcome a marked betting drift ($4.80 - $8) to score her second straight win. She's likely to find more favourable conditions next time out wherever she races and she can win again.
Career record (11:4-1-1).
Race to look for – 3YO race or restricted mares' race over 1400 – 1600m.
See a run you especially liked at Flemington? Let our audience know via the comments section.
