3 minute read
We return to Flemington for a twlight Saturday card that looks like playing it's part in shaping the summer period of racing in Melbourne.
One horse who will be out to stamp himself as a key player in summer features like the Standish Handicap is the Robbie Griffiths-trained Halvorsen who arrives a over a month on from his return win on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
That break between runs looks to be by design. Halvorsen has flown fresh and perhaps more importantly he has flown at Flemington with the straight course playing to his fast-closing strengths.
A couple of runs down the straight here through the winter rate through the roof for this and there is no reason to think that he won't be somewhere near his best on Saturday. We're keen to back him in.
Two races earlier, in the third on the card, comes an appealing each-way play in the form of Gelignite Jack.
Jack takes on a trio of good last-start Valley mile winners among others but he looks ready to peak after warming up nicely late on a leader-dominated race at Sandown last time.
It's notable that he sharply improved third up last campaign and produced the sort of ratings that would see him take some stitching up this weekend.
Prices around 16-1 don't seem to do his chances justice and he can run for us this weekend at quotes around there.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 5 #7 Halvorsen @ $2.75
Each Way Play: Race 3 #8 Gelignite Jack @ $17.00
