Flemington Race 6 – 15:15 AEDT
Group 1 HCP
1200m
Prize: $1,250,000.00
Good (4)
Rail – Out 4m Metres Entire Circuit
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Redkirk Warrior | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Luke Nolen | 58.5 | 19 | $26 |
| 2. Santa Ana Lane | Anthony Freedman | Ben Melham | 58.5 | 10 | $9.50 |
| 3. Brave Smash | Kris Lees | Damien Oliver | 57 | 23 | $21 |
| 4. Osborne Bulls | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 56 | 22 | $4 |
| 5. Voodoo Lad | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 56 | 5 | $71 |
| 6. In Her Time | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 55.5 | 16 | $13 |
| 7. Shoals | Anthony Freedman | SCRATCHED | 55 | 7 | SCRATCHED |
| 8. Dothraki | Peter & Paul Snowden | Damian Lane | 54.5 | 1 | $61 |
| 9. Booker | Michael Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Dean Yendall | 53 | 6 | $21 |
| 10. Whispering Brook | Simon Miller | Jye McNeil | 52.5 | 13 | $46 |
| 11. Bons Away | Ciaron Maher | Linda Meech | 52 | 4 | $26 |
| 12. Champagne Cuddles | Bjorn Baker | Jamie Kah | 52 | 18 | $41 |
| 13. Divine Quality | Robbie Griffiths | Beau Mertens | 52 | 2 | $41 |
| 14. Eduardo | Sarah Zschoke | Brian Park | 52 | 21 | $10 |
| 15. Glenall | Michael Wayne, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dean Holland | 52 | 8 | $81 |
| 16. I’ll Have a Bit | John McArdle | Ben Thompson | 52 | 11 | $67 |
| 17. Missrock | Robbie Laing | Stephen Baster | 52 | 15 | $71 |
| 18. Usain Bowler | John Sadler | Patrick Moloney | 52 | 14 | $67 |
| 19. Encryption | James Cummings | Rachel King | 51 | 17 | $26 |
| 20. Graff | Kris Lees | William Pike | 51 | 20 | $9.50 |
| 21. Zousain | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 51 | 12 | $17 |
| 22. Sunlight | Tony McEvoy | Barend Vorster | 50.5 | 9 | $13 |
| 23. Lean Mean Machine | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 50 | 3 | $23 |
Odds correct as of 9am Friday 8 March
Race Overview
Considered one of, if not, Australia’s premier sprint races, the Newmarket Handicap held over the straight six at Flemington looks set to be one of its greatest editions with a number of Group One winners. Topweight Redkirk Warrior looks to win his third straight Newmarket.
Race Speed
With an almost capacity field tackling the 2019 Newmarket it will be interesting to see whether the field looks for the outside rail or settles toward the centre of the track. Eduardo will likely lead closest to the outside rail with Whispering Brook and In Her Time looking to settle just off the speed. Early race favourite Osborne Bulls will look to track the field from the back and pounce as they pass the tower.
Key Runners
- OSBORNE BULLS ($4.00)
Possesses an extreme turn of foot and was outstanding last start down the straight, marginally going down to In Her Time in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000 metres). The step up in trip to 1200 metres looks to be ideal and her record of nine wins from 14 starts shows he knows how to find the line. Will be flashing home late.
- EDUARDO ($10.00)
Was strong to the line last start to run third when resuming in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. Has never missed the placings in his six start career and gets in here with a low weight as a lightly raced five year old. Should sit up on the lead – expect to run a good race.
- GRAFF ($9.50)
This three-year-old has already experienced the pressure of an Everest so the Lees Stable should have him ready to go on Saturday. Ran through the line well last start in the Lightning Stakes but drops weight here and expects to get a good run near the outside rail should it present. Enjoys the dry track.
Race Selection
- OSBORNE BULLS ($4.00)
The Godolphin gelding continues to go from strength to strength and looks set to run a strong race in his Group One debut. He’s had his last two starts either side of a spell/freshen up down the straight at Flemington for a first and second. He was dominant before a spell over this trip in the Spring and his fresh run in the Lightning in a trip he’d never contested was outstanding – looks a great bet for the day.
