The first genuine blue-chip day of the spring has arrived, with outstanding racing across Flemington and Rosehill. Sheza Alibi headlines a superb Makybe Diva Stakes as Mr Brightside chases a remarkable fourth straight win in the race, while some of the country's most exciting three-year-olds continue their spring campaigns in Sydney and Melbourne. Here are the feature races and early market movers.
Flemington R3 — Cap D'Antibes Stakes (G3) · 1100m · 1:15pm
Blue Diamond winner Streisand makes her spring return after an outstanding two-year-old campaign, while exciting debut winner Over Excited takes a big jump into Stakes company. Satono Glow is another talented filly resuming, while Scintillation brings strong form through Moir Stakes runner Natural Fling.
Market mover: Scintillation has been backed from $16 into $12.
Flemington R4 — Poseidon Stakes (G3) · 1100m · 1:50pm
Paradoxium returns after winning the Group 2 Todman first-up last campaign and has trialled strongly, while unbeaten Big Sky and impressive debut winner Mbube bring plenty of upside. Steel Will arrives after consecutive Sydney wins, while Hard Kick comes off his Vain Stakes victory.
Market mover: Paradoxium has firmed from $5.00 into $3.90.
Flemington R5 — Archer Stakes (G3) · 2500m · 2:30pm
A Melbourne Cup ticket is on the line, with Nearco Frod chasing a remarkable fifth consecutive victory and likely to again control the race near the speed. Litzdeel looks ready for 2500m third-up, while Jennivamoose and Shockletz should also relish the rise in distance.
Market mover: Think Giant has been backed from $8.50 into $6.00, having touched $5.50.
Flemington R6 — Tontonan Handicap (Listed) · 1400m · 3:05pm
Sass Appeal returns to her preferred Flemington 1400m after a slightly disappointing run at Caulfield, while Cafe Millenium boasts outstanding track-and-distance form and should be charging home. Fancify comes off a strong on-speed victory, with Just Party stepping up after winning the Goulburn Cup fresh.
Market mover: Just Party has been heavily supported from $6.00 into $3.90.
Flemington R7 — Bobbie Lewis Quality (G2) · 1200m · 3:40pm
Progressive sprinter Oliveanotherday chases six straight wins after exploding through a gap to take out The Heath first-up. Losesomewinmore returns to his preferred straight 1200m and drops sharply in weight, while Arkansaw Kid, Hedged and King Of Roseau all have strong claims.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
Flemington R8 — Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) · 1600m · 4:20pm
Sheza Alibi looks ideally suited stepping to 1600m after her outstanding first-up second to Autumn Glow and shapes as the horse to beat. Mr Brightside is chasing an extraordinary fourth consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes, while Sir Delius, Autumn Boy, Aeliana and Treasurethe Moment make this a cracking Group 1.
Market mover: Treasurethe Moment has firmed from $14 into $10, having touched $9.50.
Flemington R9 — Let's Elope Stakes (G2) · 1400m · 4:55pm
Progressive mare Gold Coast Belle takes a significant rise in grade after an impressive first-up victory, while Coeur Volante drops back to mares' company after racing strongly against the boys. Salty Pearl should appreciate 1400m and Wrote To Arataki can give them something to catch.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
Rosehill R6 — Ming Dynasty Quality (G3) · 1400m · 2:50pm
Genesis Runner looks well placed after a strong first-up second in the Up And Coming Stakes, while highly regarded Tenenbaum drops 7kg after an authoritative Canterbury victory. Stormy Marco resumes after placing at Group 1 level, while Persian Wonder brings a valuable fitness advantage.
Market mover: Genesis Runner has been backed from $5.50 into $3.80.
Rosehill R7 — Sheraco Stakes (G2) · 1200m · 3:25pm
Lady Shenandoah drops out of the elite Winx Stakes and looks well placed against the mares, while Lazzura resumes after an excellent previous campaign. Apocalyptic should relish stepping up to 1200m and Weeping Woman returns after two impressive trial victories.
Market mover: Lazzura has been smashed from $4.40 into $3.10.
Rosehill R8 — Run To The Rose (G2) · 1200m · 4:00pm
Unbeaten St Gotthard returns after a breathtaking four-length Group 3 victory and begins his path towards the Golden Rose. Warwoven should improve sharply from his San Domenico return, while Music Time and Central Europe bring strong Stakes form into a key Golden Rose lead-up.
Market mover: Under Focus has been heavily backed from $11 into $6.00.
Rosehill R9 — Theo Marks Stakes (G2) · 1300m · 4:40pm
A tricky race with most of the field resuming. Skyhook returns after an impressive Group 3 Gunsynd victory, while Verona Rose is proven fresh and Midnight In Tokyo brings winning Show County form. Encap has trialled strongly ahead of his return, while Militarize is capable of producing his best fresh.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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