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Metropolitan racing returns to headquarters this Saturday with the Group 3 Standish Handicap set to headline a ten race card.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail will be out 4m around the entire Flemington circuit and the track is currently rated a soft 5.
Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.
RACE 1 - 12:13PM: ALL JOCKEYS DASH 2YO HANDICAP (1000 METRES)Zestiman is one of several runners set to make his debut.
The Hayes trained youngster has been given the benefit of two recent jump outs and has performed very well on both occasions.
A son of Zoustar, he has worked strongly to the line under little pressure in both heats and already looks very professional.
1 unit – ZESTIMAN
RACE 2 - 12:48PM: AUSTRALIAN JOCKEYS TRUST TROPHY BM100 HANDICAP (2000 METRES)Golden Crusader strips fitter for the two runs back and will appreciate the rise in trip.
The former UK Import just struggled in the heavy conditions when resuming but produced a much improved performance second up around the Valley.
Up in grade but he drops substantially in the weights, with Alana Kelly to take the mount at 53kgs.
From the wide draw we can expect to see him roll forward and he may just prove hard to catch.
1 unit – GOLDEN CRUSADER
RACE 3 - 1:23PM: VICTORIAN JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION TROPHY BM70 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)Otago could not have been more impressive on debut.
The Ocean Park gelding kicked off his career at Bendigo following two very impressive jump outs and he certainly lived up to those.
Settling midfield, he was brought into the clear upon turning into the straight and let down nicely to score by over two lengths.
He looked to have a fair bit in hand and will have taken good natural improvement from the outing.
Beau Mertens retains the ride for the Price / Kent team and the pre race ear muffs going on for the first time should see him head to the gates nice and relaxed.
1 unit – OTAGO
RACE 4 - 1:58PM: READINESS APP SPRINT NMW HANDICAP (1000 METRES)Accending kicked off her career in fine stye with a commanding victory over 1100m at Traralgon.
The Street Boss filly took up the running and never gave her competitors a look in as she careered away to put up a 4.75 length margin.
Whilst she was unable to keep an unbeaten record, going down by just over a length at her next outing, she does looks to have plenty of upside.
She just looked to get a bit lost at her first time down the straight but will no doubt be better for that experience.
Matthew Cartwright knows her well and he stays in the saddle for Jerome Hunter
1 unit – ACCENDING
RACE 5 - 2:3PM: THE STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS BM 70 HANDICAP (2000 METRES)A runner up in both of her raceday appearances, Girls Girls Girls looks very promising.
After a tardy getaway on debut she found herself at the tail of the field and charged home down the outside to get within a length of the winner.
Out to 1800m at her next outing she again settled in the second half the of field and was doing her best work late.
A daughter of Melbourne Cup champ Fiorente, she'll relish the rise to 2000m and the big Flemington straight is sure to be to her liking.
Jye McNeil goes onboard for Andrew Bobbin and from barrier five she's set to enjoy a cosy run in transit.
1 unit – GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS
RACE 6 - 3:08PM: JOCKEY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PLATE BM78 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)Dane On Tour has returned in top form, producing an eye catching first up performance before saluting at Caulfield last start.
Only lightly raced, the Rebel Dane mare has raced consistency throughout her career but her latest win was her most impressive performance yet.
With a lack of early speed in the race Celine Gaudrey elected to roll forward and take up the running and it proved the winning move as she kicked strongly in the straight to pull away score by over two lengths.
She steps up in grade but gets in beautifully with 54.5kg after the claim.
1 unit – DANE ON TOUR
RACE 7 - 3:43PM: HONOURING OUR JOCKEYS BM70 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)Punch Lane returned off a let up with a dominant display over 1348m at Geelong.
Well supported in the market, the son of So You Think sat just off leader and proved too strong over the final stages pulling away to score by four and a half lengths.
A winner of three from five, he's highly talented and looks well placed here with the slight step up in class, as the team let him work through his grades.
Daniel Moor will have to produce his best from the outside alley, as the pair look to make it three successive victories.
1 unit – PUNCH LANE
RACE 8 - 4:28PM: STANDISH HANDICAP GROUP 3 (1200 METRES)Sghrippa proved too good last start, taking out the Listed Xmas Stakes on Boxing Day to secure his first black type victory.
Settling midfield on the rail, he shifted out into the clear 200m from home and charged through to score comfortably.
The ultra consistent son of Lonhro has built a very tidy record as has continued to step up each time the bar has been raised.
He looks well placed here to continue on his winning way and Craig Newitt will again do the steering for South Australian visitors Shane and Cassie Oxlade.
1 unit – SGHRIPPA
RACE 9 - 5:13PM: OFF THE TRACK TROPHY BM84 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)Tonneofgrit kicked off his campaign with a solid effort here over 1400m, where he hit the front 150m out but just peaked on his run late.
He didn't have the best of luck last time at Caulfield but still worked home strongly.
After settling at the rear, he was held up turning into the straight but finished off well over the final part once clear and whilst he's yet to step out past 1400m, his most recent run suggests the rise to the mile will suit.
Jordan Childs sticks with him and he'll be suited back on the big Flemington track.
1 unit – TONNEOFGRIT
RACE 10 - 5:48PM: JOCKEY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PLATE BM78 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)Ebony King returned with a very encouraging performance down the straight here just over three weeks ago.
In limited room the Graheme Begg trained galloper worked home strongly over the 1100m and will enjoy the slight step up in trip.
Having proven himself a very capable galloper on his day, the striking son of Lonhro will continue to improve as he gets out over more ground but this certainly looks a winnable race for him.
Ryan Houston was victorious on the gelding back in April, he goes back aboard and will take 3kgs off.
1 unit – EBONY KING
