EXPERT RACING TIPS: FLEMINGTON
Best Bets
Jackson Oldham
BACK: 11. King Zephyr (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.30)
I have expected some market resistance for King Zephyr but none has come of yet, first go up the straight back from 1400m and possibly the first time on a wet track but he has the turn of foot that stepping back to 1200m is no negative for mine and he is simply more progressive than this lot.
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Jackson Oldham
LAY: 3. Athabascan (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $6.90)
A lottery, Fernao was good off a fast speed seven days ago at Caulfield, I like the quick back-up. Loft has improved for the new stable over the hurdles, that may have sharpened him back up coming back to the flat.
I couldn’t get near Athabascan as favourite, as he will be forced to go right back to last from the wide gate an I don’t believe he is good enough to loop the field and win.
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FLEMINGTON PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY MAY 17TH 2025
RAIL: 4m TRACK: Good 4
Impossible to predict conditions with now 3-15mm predicted as of 8am on Saturday morning. A 15-25km/h Southerly breeze is also expected, which usually helps those horses on-pace, however if the track slips into the soft range I expect that counteracts the wind and horses will be looking to edge off the fence.
6. One Hard Lady
7. Runlikeencryption
1. The Showvinist
3. Skipjack
Betting Strategy
Tipping a horse off runs at Albury and Gundagai wasn’t on my Saturay bingo card but One Hard Lady has been smashing the clock and won with the handbrake on last start too, she is a proper horse who can measure up here.
1. Highvol
9. Buccleuch
3. The Opportunist
4. Gable
Betting Strategy
Highvol won here on debut at this track and distance and although the overall time and margins weren’t anything to write home about, I liked the fact he did it on debut, only improves here and maps for a perfect run with the leading jockey at the meeting on board.
The roughie is Buccleuch, who is likely to settle in a different postcode to the favourite but ran really strong closing splits on debut at Pakenham and the extra trip can only suit.
13. Happy Link
10. Quiseen
2. Hearcomesthestar
12. Star Sirius
Betting Strategy
This is genuinely pick a number out of a hat type areas this race, impossible. I will go with Happy Link on top, who has ratings good enough to win this last preparation and has been parading with plenty of improvement to come this time in, if she is fitter she can improve sharply.
7. Kalkallo
8. Hot Digity Boom
3. Rue De Royale
5. Daggers
Betting Strategy
BACK: 6. Fancify (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.90)
Fancify had excuses here last start running her race in a sheet of rain and wind. Much nicer conditions are expected for headquarters on Saturday and she should get every chance from the lead.
12. Naina
4. Oxford Blue
3. Stylish Secret
2. Somewhere
Betting Strategy
Actually a really interesting race, despite not having much opinion on it from a wagering point of view. Naina was terrific two back at Sandown then had the pattern against and gapped third last start at Geelong.
The runs of Stylish Secret and Oxford Blue both had merit at Caulfield and Somewhere started $7.5 in a better race than this in Adelaide last start.
11. King Zephyr
2. Aviatress
3. Running By
1. Lim’s Koscuiszko
Betting Strategy
BACK: 11. King Zephyr (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.30)
I have expected some market resistance for King Zephyr but none has come of yet, first go up the straight back from 1400m and possibly the first time on a wet track but he has the turn of foot that stepping back to 1200m is no negative for mine and he is simply more progressive than this lot.
20. Fernao
10. Loft
12. Berkshire Breeze
1. Smokin’ Romans
Betting Strategy
LAY: 3. Athabascan (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $6.90)
A lottery, Fernao was good off a fast speed seven days ago at Caulfield, I like the quick back-up. Loft has improved for the new stable over the hurdles, that may have sharpened him back up coming back to the flat.
I couldn’t get near Athabascan as favourite, as he will be forced to go right back to last from the wide gate an I don’t believe he is good enough to loop the field and win.
13. El Rocko
10. Wings Of Song
2. Holymanz
3. Pounding
Betting Strategy
El Rocko is the one if the rain comes, he was terrific in really solid time on that bottomless Moonee Valley track last start, goes on top but I couldn’t bet until the track is really deteriorating.
17. Liberami
16. Arqana
10. Magarten
9. Lauding
Betting Strategy
Liberami looks suited up to 1800m with some sting out of the track, he is absolutely in the zone, the drop in weight is a key and he just doesn’t run a bad race. The small knock is the map, if he settles midfield or slightly worse then he is probably near an even money chance but if he goes all the way back to near last and the field breaks up it will make it tough.
Want to learn how to lay bet?
When you place a lay bet, you are betting on something not to happen. Let’s think about the Melbourne Cup again. Remember: there can only be one winner. But what about the others trailing behind them? If you place a lay bet in a “Win” market, you can celebrate if the runner tails off at the back of the field.
FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE
SUMMARY
As the home of ‘the race that stops a nation’, the Melbourne Cup, Flemington is Australia’s most famous racecourse. The $8 million two-mile handicap, which is held on the first Tuesday in November each year and attracts leading staying horses from around the world, is one of 14 Group 1 races held at Flemington and is the pinnacle of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. For Flemington tips across the world-famous Melbourne Cup Carnival and every meeting throughout the year, the Betfair Hub has you covered.
FAST FACTS
- The biggest ever attendance at Flemington came on Victoria Derby Day in 2006, when 129,069 spectators witnessed Efficient claim the Derby.
KEY EVENTS
While the Melbourne Cup, which was first run in 1861, is Australia’s most famous race, Victoria Derby Day – held the Saturday before the Cup – traditionally attracts the biggest crowd of the carnival. As well as the Derby, a 2500m contest for three-year-olds, the raceday features three more Group 1 contests in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Cantala Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes. Two days after the Melbourne Cup, the Group 1 VRC Oaks headlines Ladies’ Day with Stakes Day, featuring the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, bringing the curtain down on the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Betfair brings you Flemington best bets, with our team of experts giving punters the inside track on every meeting.
TRACK PROFILE
Known for its wide expanses and ability to cope in any weather conditions, Flemington is renowned by punters as one of Australia’s fairest tracks. The racecourse is pear-shaped, with a six-furlong (1200m) straight known as the ‘straight six’. The track has a circumference of 2312m and a home straight of 450m. Whether it’s sprint or staying races, our resident team of experts do the form to deliver their Flemington tips on the Betfair Hub.
HISTORY
The Flemington Racecourse site comprises 1.27 square kilometres of crown land. The course was originally leased to the Victoria Turf Club in 1848, which merged with the Victoria Jockey Club in 1864 to form the Victoria Racing Club. The first running of the Melbourne Cup was held in 1861 and 10 years later the Victoria Racing Club Act was passed, which gave the VRC legal control of Flemington Racecourse.
