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ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap preview

A great day of racing at Flemington today with quality spread throughout. One of the hottest sprint prospects in the land drops back to handicap company early in the day, and taking a magnifying glass to the race is new contributor Sammy Kennedy, @WinnersPost. Welcome to the club!

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ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap
Listed, AU$120,000, 1000m
Flemington R2
1320 local, 0220 GMT


Heatherly- Drops significantly in class on her last attempt at this track and distance; the Group One Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. On that occasion, Heatherly led the high class field up the straight and although at first appearance looked disappointing, she still sprinted home in a brisk 22.16 for her final 400m, beaten just over two lengths from the winner Terravista. I think she was just out muscled by bigger and more matured sprinters last start and with her coming back significantly in grade, excellent straight form, and G1-placed behind the likes of Extreme Choice, she represents excellent value at $2.1. (I had her marked at $1.7)

Other than Heatherly it is an open affair for mine. Second elect is the Robert Smerdon trained Reldas. Craig Williams jumps aboard for the horses first-up attempt where he’s had four attempts for a win and two placings. Williams has proven a winning formula for Reldas, with his three rides resulting in two wins and a second. I think the $3.20 the place represents value and I expect him to be heading the remainder of the field.

Patrick Payne has Husson Eagle returning from a freshen up after his trip north to the Gold Coast. Although his form over the last three starts doesn’t read too well, it’s hard to ignore his excellent record over this distance with him only missing a top three finish once from eight attempts, as well as his very good record up the Flemington straight.

I give a top four chance to Dance with Fontein with young Jye McNeil aboard, who poses an excellent record on the horse. Dance with Fontein has been in great form of late and I expect another forward showing here.

I’m taking on Lady Esprit who’s only a lightly-framed 4yo mare. She has had five attempts at Flemington for no placings. Although she will appreciate the drop in weight from her last start second, I think she’s a much better Moonee Valley horse with its tight turning bends. At $6 she is massive unders for mine.

Charmed Harmony is a 7yo having his first start over 1000m. I can’t see that he's developed any more zip in his legs to be competitive here over this distance, even with a decent first-up record.

Suggested bet for the race is standing Heatherly out in your weekend multis whilst playing the following exotic.

First Four: 2/ 3,4/3,4,6/3,4,5,6
$8 will get you 100%

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