3 minute read

Best bets for ANZAC Day racing from Flemington.

Down to the eight races at Flemington on Saturday but it looks a strong betting card with a few good wagers to be had.

We've got the VRC St Leger and while that may not be the race it was in years gone by, it has its place as a long-distance race for three-year-olds.

The past three years have shown an interesting trend – American Wolf, Ahuriri and Dunwoody have gone in rated 88, 88 and 73. That's the lowest prior ratings of St Leger winners in the past 20 years, and it suggests that the ones coming through less exposed form are the ones to find.

In complete disregard for that trend however, Deal Done Fast brings clearly superior ratings through the Sydney Group Ones, getting home for a solid eighth in the ATC Derby last time out.

He's posted four RAS ratings of 100 with a peak of 107 when third in the Victoria Derby last year and given American Wolf ran to 101 last year, Ahuriri 95 and Dunwoody 94, it bodes well for his chances.

Deal Done Fast should relish 2800m at Flemington and I'm surprised he isn't a clear favourite even with Silvasista running good overall time winning at Donald last start.

In Race 7, the highly progressive Zakouma shoots for four on the bounce and is very well placed to do so for Grahame Begg.

He's won his past two with a big '+' at the end of his Timeform rating, the sectional mark ups on both occasions saying he's much better than rated, and this is another great bit of placement up to Bm100 company.

This is no doubt harder but the RAS rating of 107 he posted last time is already getting into what will be required to win here and he should be improving again with stronger form to assert himself over.

Tipping he wins this and wins it well and they start thinking about a Naturalism Stakes in the early Spring as a way into the Caulfield Cup.

The Melbourne Mail

Race 6 #1 Deal Done Fast at $4.20
Race 7 #15 Zakouma at $2.70