Flemington

Saturday, May 17, 2025Flat1m5f

Verdict

Melbourne Cup ticket up for grabs. SMOKIN' ROMANS (1) is suited under this weight scale and there's no reason to jump off him. He's a G1 Turnbull Stakes winner who led at a fast clip in the Warrnambool Cup last time out and held on, giving his rivals weight on that occasion. Likely gets some give in the ground again here and can win again. ALMA RISE (18) is a nice staying mare. She was strong to and through the line in the Country Oaks at Echuca last time and gives every indication she'll relish 2800m. BERKSHIRE BREEZE (12) is racing well but is wearing thin. His best form came when up on speed but the tactics this time in haven't worked. The wide draw may see him go back again. ATHABASCAN (3) was good in the Sydney Cup last time out which is a good bit of form. He's right up to winning this. TORRANZINO (6) flew home to just miss Smokin' Romans at Warrnambool and must have claims.

1. Smokin Romans
18. Alma Rise
12. Berkshire Breeze

Win Only

3. 3. Athabascan
J: BEN MELHAMT: JOHN O'SHEA & TOM CHARLTON
F: 78295
Price History:
5.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
102
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run came from midfield; 5th of 20 at Randwick in the G1 Sydney Cup on April 12 over 3200m, 4.5 len behind Arapaho with 53.5kg at $16. The race before that 9th of 20 at Randwick in the G2 Chairmans on April 5 over 2600m, slow going 7 len behind Alalcance with 57.5kg at $9.50. Strong stayer who can figure.
12. 12. Berkshire Breeze
J: ETHAN BROWNT: CIARON MAHER
F: x5424
Price History:
6.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 9 at Mornington in the LR Morn Cup on April 19 over 2400m, 1.75 len behind Bankers Choice carrying 56kg at $2.20. Before that 2nd of 11 at this track in the LR Roy Higgins on March 29 over 2600m, long-neck behind Deakin with 56kg at $6.50. Going well, tactics will be key.
18. 18. Alma Rise
J: ZAC SPAINT: PETER G MOODY & KATHERINE COLEMAN
F: 0x871
Price History:
7.50
Age:
4
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
29
Verdict
Comes off a 29 day let-up. At the latest run won by 2 len at Echuca Country Oaks April 18 over 2100m defeating Basilinna carrying 57kg at $3.20. Before that 7th of 11 at Ballarat Bm78 on April 2 over 2000m, 3 len behind Muktamil with 57.5kg at $1.90. Strong stayer who should improve again here.
1. 1. Smokin Romans
J: LINDA MEECHT: CIARON MAHER
F: 56031
Price History:
8.00
Age:
8
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
106
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Useful type. Most recently won by a head at Warrnambool LR Wnbl Cup May 1 over 2350m on a soft track defeating Torranzino with 59kg at $9. Before that set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 9 at Mornington in the LR Morn Cup on April 19 over 2400m, 1.3 len behind Bankers Choice with 58kg at $21. Will be very hard to catch again.
8. 8. Mostly Cloudy
J: BILLY EGANT: TRENT BUSUTTIN & NATALIE YOUNG
F: x4334
Price History:
9.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Returns from a 35-day let-up. At the latest run made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 20 at Randwick in the G1 Sydney Cup on April 12 over 3200m, 4 len behind Arapaho with 50kg at $41. The start before that made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 11 at this track in the LR Roy Higgins on March 29 over 2600m, 4.5 len behind Deakin carrying 56kg at $7. Should be right there again.
16. 16. Silent Surrente
J: JOHN ALLENT: WILL CLARKEN & NIKI O'SHEA
F: 22193
Price History:
12.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
98
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Useful mare. Last start sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 11 at Morphettville in the LR Pt A Cup on May 3 over 2500m, 2 len behind Sir Kingsford carrying 58kg at $4.20. Before that 9th of 11 at this track in the LR Roy Higgins on March 29 over 2600m, 8 len behind Deakin carrying 56.5kg at $14. Nice effort last time. Minor hope.
17. 17. Basilinna
J: DEAN YENDALLT: EMMA-LEE & DAVID BROWNE
F: x1022
Price History:
21.00
Age:
4
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Most recently ran on from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Morphettville in the LR Pt A Cup on May 3 over 2500m, 1.0 len behind Sir Kingsford carrying 54kg at $3.70. Before that 2nd of 9 at Echuca Country Oaks on April 18 over 2100m, 2 len behind Alma Rise carrying 57kg at $5. Handy mare, will need to improve again.
20. 20. Fernao
J: DANIEL MOORT: ANNABEL & ROB ARCHIBALD
F: 12121
Price History:
21.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
77
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Last start won by 1.3 len at Caulfield Bm84 Hcp May 10 over 2400m defeating Galilaeus with 54kg at $3.30. The run before that 2nd of 7 at this track Bm84 Hcp on April 25 over 2500m, nose behind Affluential with 54kg at $5. Going well, this is harder.
9. 9. Strawberry Rock
J: TEO NUGENTT: CIARON MAHER
F: 21026
Price History:
26.00
Age:
8
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Useful gelding. Most recently 6th of 16 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 1 over 2350m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Smokin' Romans with 55.5kg at $8.50. The run before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Mornington in the LR Morn Cup on April 19 over 2400m, nose behind Bankers Choice with 54kg at $21. Should be staying on strongly.
14. 14. Denmark
J: JYE MCNEILT: CHRIS WALLER
F: 0x651
Price History:
26.00
Age:
5
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
80
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Useful type. At the latest run won by 0.5 len at Moonee Valley Bm78 April 26 over 2040m in the wet defeating Amphactor with 58.5kg at $6. The start before that 5th of 11 at Caulfield Grand Hcp Class on April 5 over 2000m, 2 len behind My Brothers Keeper with 59.5kg at $12. More depth here.
11. 11. Through Irish Eyes
J: BEN ALLENT: CIARON MAHER
F: 58611
Price History:
26.00
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
81
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Chasing a hat-trick. Last start favourite; won by a neck at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw April 29 over 3200m on a soft track defeating Stockman carrying 69.5kg at $2.35. The run before that favourite; won by 3 len at Bendigo Bm78 April 12 over 2400m defeating Steel Run carrying 59kg at $14. Back on the flat but is right in this.
19. 19. Lodbrok
J: -T: CIARON MAHER
F: 53311
Price History:
26.00
Age:
5
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
77
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 April 21 over 3000m defeating Gypsy Cove with 59kg at $2.60. The race before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a head at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 March 26 over 3000m defeating Affluential carrying 58.5kg at $3.60. Meets a tough line-up and prefer others.
10. 10. Loft
J: CRAIG NEWITTT: SHANE JACKSON
F: x0x11
Price History:
41.00
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
95
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by 0.8 len at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw March 28 over 3200m on a soft track defeating Balinor carrying 69.5kg at $1.30. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and scored a big 4 len win at Warrnambool Swp Hdle May 1 over 3200m on a soft track defeating Bitcoin carrying 67kg at $1.85. Prefer over jumps.
15. 15. Night Endeavor
J: JORDAN CHILDST: CIARON MAHER
F: 35x36
Price History:
51.00
Age:
6
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
88
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up ran on from midfield; 3rd of 14 at Caulfield in the G3 Easter Cup on April 5 over 2000m, nose behind Torranzino with 54kg at $41. Second-up eased back early on 6th of 9 at Mornington in the LR Morn Cup on April 19 over 2400m, 3.5 len behind Bankers Choice carrying 54kg at $6.50. Sure to be thereabouts.
5. 5. Virtuous Circle
J: ALANA KELLYT: LIAM HOWLEY
F: 61x99
Price History:
41.00
Age:
5
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
98
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 9th of 12 at Randwick in the LR Rand City on March 8 over 2000m, 6 len behind Alalcance carrying 56.5kg at $41. Second run from a spell 9th of 16 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 1 over 2350m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Smokin' Romans with 57kg at $12. Would have to improve.
2. 2. Military Mission
J: JETT STANLEYT: GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT
F: 09x97
Price History:
67.00
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 9th of 13 at Albury in the LR Albury Cup on April 17 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind Matusalem with 60kg at $21. Second run from a spell 7th of 16 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 1 over 2350m, slow going 8 len behind Smokin' Romans with 57.5kg at $21. Possible improver.
21. 21. Tarvue
J: -T: JOHN SADLER
F: 15712
Price History:
51.00
Age:
4
Weight:
1-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
68
Days Since Last Run:
9
Verdict
At the latest run tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 11 at Pakenham F&M Bm70 on May 8 over 2000m, 0.5 len behind Morrissette with 59kg at $2.45. The run before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.5 len at Geelong Bm64 April 1 over 2460m defeating The Cunning Fox carrying 58kg at $2.70. Not keen on her chances.
4. 4. True Marvel
J: DECLAN BATEST: MATTHEW SMITH
F: x8005
Price History:
71.00
Age:
9
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Last start 5th of 16 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 1 over 2350m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Smokin' Romans with 54kg at $26. The start before that 12th of 20 at Randwick in the G2 Chairmans on April 5 over 2600m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Alalcance carrying 54kg at $201. Will be sticking on.
13. 13. Glentaneous
J: LUKE CURRIET: ANTHONY & SAM FREEDMAN
F: 0x069
Price History:
81.00
Age:
7
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
At the latest run ran last of 9 at Caulfield Bm100 on May 3 over 2000m, 9 len behind Immediacy with 56.5kg at $51. The race before that 6th of 8 at Mornington Hcp on April 19 over 2000m, 6 len behind Immediacy with 58kg at $31. Needs to do more.
22. Girls Girls Girls
7. 7. Port Guillaume
J: PATRICK MOLONEYT: BEN, WILL & JD HAYES
F: 35738
Price History:
251.00
Age:
8
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
80
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Last start got back early 8th of 10 at Warrnambool Brierly on April 29 over 3450m, slow going 37 len behind Duke Of Bedford carrying 65kg at $7.50. The start before that 3rd in a small field at Pakenham Chase on April 13 over 3200m, slow going 7 len behind Duke Of Bedford carrying 71.5kg at $2.90. Prefer over jumps.

Non-Runners

6. 6. Torranzino
J: CELINE GAUDRAYT: PAUL PREUSKER
F: 84212
Price History:
8.50
Age:
5
Weight:
1-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
98
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Useful type. Last start 2nd of 16 at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 1 over 2350m, on a slow track; head behind Smokin' Romans with 56kg at $12. The start before that won by a nose at Caulfield G3 Easter Cup April 5 over 2000m defeating Foujita San carrying 54kg at $12. Near miss last start. Hard to hold out again.

Flemington

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