Laurie Sainsbury has found Saturday's Flemington meeting more difficult than usual in selecting runners at big prices that have genuine winning chances – but he's given it his best shot.
SHAMKIYR (Flemington Race 4 No 2)
This had his first Australian run in September last year, placed in two of his seven runs in that campaign. Disappointing yes, however, we have seen these imports improve markedly after acclimatising and he may well have done that judging on his first-up run here three weeks back. As a three-year-old he was competitive with The Grey Gatsby, beaten three lengths at Chantilly. The Grey Gatsby was rated equal best three-year-old in the world with Australia and Kingman. That first-up run behind Portman indicated he may not be far off as his last 600m was solid and he gets out to 1700m from the 1400m and hopefully he can regain The Grey Gatsby form.
BET: EACH-WAY
$16 @ Bet 365
ALWARD (Flemington Race 8 No 16)
Another import, this one for the Waller stable. Had two Australian runs and is progressing well. Ridden back in his first run over 1400m at Sandown Lakeside, held up from top of the straight until 150m, charged late. Spunlago ran second in that event and placed here last week behind Jaminzah. Last start at Sandown Hillside ran on against the pattern of the day when fourth to Scholarly with 58.5kg in a Benchmark 70 over 1800m. His European form suggests his best is at 2000m plus. Is up in grade but weight drop offsets that to some degree and he should get a nice run from the good draw.
BET: WIN
ODDS $9 @ Bet 365
ROUGH JUSTICE (Flemington Race 9 No 3)
The key to this galloper is the 1000m. This time in has had four starts. Second here to Lake Como over 1000m, third here over 1100m to Ability, fourth here over 1200m to Ability and then seventh to Play Master in a messy race also at Flemington over 1200m. That form around Ability was well and truly franked last weekend with Ability wining the Blethchingly. His 1000m CV reads (15:5-4-1) and the in-form Taylor Marshall takes over from Brooke Sweeney.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $13 @ Ladbrokes, Sportsbet
