There is some high quality midweek racing on Wednesday, with the Oaks and Derby Trials being run at Flemington, as well as the first two-year-old races of the season, and some progressive types going around in Sydney.
Let’s take a look at who to keep an eye out for.
Flemington
Race 1 – 2YO VOBIS Plate (900m)
I won’t be betting into this juvenile race full of first starters, but the market are certainly keen on Brazen Beau colt General Beau ($2.30) from the Ellerton and Zahra camp.
Also worth watching is the well-bred Capital Legend ($19), out of star two-year-old Capitalist.
Race 2 – 3YO Fillies Benchmark 64 (1000m)
Chasing a hattrick of wins here is Peggy Selene, who has beaten some handy Saturday horses this prep. She’s back to her own sex and down at the Benchmark 64 level, and looks over the odds at $8.
I’ll also be keeping an eye on Molly Golightly ($15) who won well at Moe on debut and looks capable of running a big race at the each way price.
Watch: Peggy Selene tough it out for the win last outing.
Jerle got going late but Peggy Selene held on with Ben Melham in the saddle. @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/zQ9sDKXNuT
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 26, 2020
Race 3 – 3YO Benchmark 64 (1400m)
Some progressive types going around here, with The Brumby ($3.20) having some good form around Thousand Guineas equal favourite Instant Celebrity, as well as Aysar who is lining up in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Embolism ($4.60) looks one who may head to the VRC Derby after an impressive win at Bendigo, but may find this too sharp with runners like Toyetic ($5.50) and Albarado ($10) looking more suited over the 1400m.
Watch: The Brumby gap the field earlier this preparation.
The Brumby gives them a galloping lesson at Murray Bridge! @mcevoymitchell pic.twitter.com/xbsQ90ffmW
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 24, 2020
Race 6 – 3YO Colts & Geldings Derby Trial (1800m)
A number of runners to keep an eye on here as they test themselves at 1800m with an eye on the VRC Derby.
Mick Price’s Bak Da Man ($14) is out of Reliable Man and should handle the trip, with Godolphin’s Choir ($5.50) also earmarked for a Derby path.
Danny O’Brien’s Dubai Centre ($12) has some good form around Saturday winner Wise Counsel and Caulfield Guineas chance Immortal Love.
Let’s Karaka Deel ($7.50) won at a mile last start and looked more than capable of stepping up in trip to bigger and better things.
Canterbury
Race 1 – Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78
Going to keep an eye on The Autumn Sun’s three-quarter sister Archanna ($2.35), who put up some strong sectionals when getting too far back in the run last start. If she can settle a little closer, she will be very tough to beat with James McDonald onboard.
Watch: Archanna just miss in a driving finish earlier this preparation.
In Lighten Me held off Archanna to take out the last on the Kenso and bring up her fifth career win @GRyanRacing @keagz88 pic.twitter.com/gCBJuv4iLU
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2020
Race 3 – Benchmark 72 Handicap
Another Chris Waller and James McDonald combination to watch, this time with Miyake ($4.20).
He was first up last start and was playing catch up after jumping awkwardly, but has lots of talent and is a real chance of progressing through the ranks with a win here.
Race 5 – Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72
Harto ($2.70) is the obvious watch here, starting a short priced favourite on a Saturday last outing but blew the start horribly and was never in the race. Has trialed since and looked impressive, and if she can jump cleanly, should win.
