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NewsNewmarket Handicap 2016 race preview and tips
10 March 2016 10:41 AM
Flemington was rated a Good 4 on Thursday morning with 1-2 mm forecasted between now and the start of race six, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap. A cracking field is lined up to contest this 1200m race down the Flemington straight.
Here are some interesting statistics about this $1.25 million over its 141 year history.
- 40% of the winners over the past 10 years have been favourites.
- Bart Cummings is the most successful trainer with eight winners in his life-time.
- The most successful current-day jockey is Damien Oliver riding three winners.
- Only four horses over the past 50 years have carried 58kg and won.
- The shortest priced favourite was Bernborough in 1946 at odds of $1.55.
- The longest price winner was Better Beyond paying $67 in 1979.
Chautauqua looks good to make it two from two this preparation after his G1 Lightning victory when he showed an amazing turn of foot over the final 100m. The extra 200m suits very nicely and he hasn't finished worse than second from six starts over this track and distance. Very hard to beat.
Japonisme is one of the most promising three-year-old sprinters in the country. Great effort third missing by a nose to Chautauqua in the Lightning last start. Has genuine claims.
Delectation finished up last preparation beating Chautuaqua in the Darley Classic by a nose. Meets him 2kg better this time around. Good second-up record with 1-2-1 from 5 second-up starts. Has to be considered.
Counterattack returned well in the Eskimo Prince when he didn't have the best part of the track in the straight. Ran well 2.2 lengths behind Japonisme in the Coolmore to finish off last preparation. Gets nice weight relief with 50kg. Chance.
Keen Aray also ran well in the Coolmore and gets significant weight relief here. Disappointing first-up in the Oakleigh plate. Expect some improvement.
Secret Agenda is another light weight chance. Was good last preparation at Group 3 level. Okay first-up and steps up to Group 1 level now.
Of the others Black Heart Bart raced well over this distance in the G1 Goodwood last year finishing 1.7 lengths behind Flamberge. Churchill Dancer has had a freshen since a solid 1 length second to Holler in G2 company. The Quarterback is not hopeless third-up after two solid runs and getss weight relief here.
1st Chautauqua is hard to go past. If last start was 1200m he wins be 2 lengths.
2nd Delectation
3rd Japonisme
Mike Steward
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