FLEMINGTON’S FOUR BIG GROUP 1 RACES TODAY
COOLMORE STUD STAKES Three-Year-Olds (1200m) Race 5 1.25pm
The best of what Australian racing is really all about – the fastest horse. Promises to be one of the races of the spring. Victoria’s Extreme Choice versus NSW’s best, Astern. Both are superstars and whichever wins — assuming Star Turn or Flying Artie don’t cause an upset — will be worth up to $30 million at stud.
SELECTIONS
Matt Stewart Extreme Choice Michael Manley Extreme Choice Ray Thomas Astern Brad Davidson Astern Nathan Exelby Extreme Choice
MYER CLASSIC Fillies and mares (1600m) Race 6 2.05pm
The target race in the resurrection of former champion filly First Seal, a three-time conqueror of Winx before Winx became … Winx. First Seal’s battle to shrug off injuries had thwarted her career until she returned to something like her best with a win at Caulfield last start.
SELECTIONS Matt Stewart Euro Angel Michael Manley Euro Angel Ray Thomas First Seal Brad Davidson First Seal Nathan Exelby Danish Twist
VICTORIA DERBY 3YO colts and geldings (2500m) Race 7 2.50pm
They will stagger in at intervals as the nonstayers reveal themselves a long way from home in one of the biggest Victoria Derby fields in years. The favourite Sacred Elixir has the pedigree and performance to become one of the best Derby winners of recent years.
SELECTIONS Matt Stewart Sacred Elixir Michael Manley Sacred Elixir Ray Thomas Swear Brad Davidson Sacred Elixir Nathan Exelby Sacred Elixir
CANTALA STAKES Group 1 (1600m) Race 8 3.35pm
Spring’s ultimate race for “milers’’. Darren Weir and Chris Waller, the current kings of Australian racing, have three runners each. Billionaire Lloyd Williams runs arguably his best horse in The United Stakes and Team Hayes has He’s Our Rokki, a winner of his past five on the trot. Great race.
SELECTIONS Matt Stewart Palentino Michael Manley The United States Ray Thomas Le Romain Brad Davidson Le Romain Nathan Exelby Mackintosh