Flemington hosted the first Melbourne meeting of the 2017/18 season and there was plenty to like about the day from a future viewpoint.
MADEENATY
The filly blitzed her rivals down the straight in the first two-year-old race last season and looks set to be a good money spinner in her three-year-old season after a solid first-up run on Saturday. Madeenaty stepped out over the 1000m and led at a decent speed for most of the race before fighting on strongly in the latter stages to only go down by a half-length to the promising Crown Witness, who had a fitness advantage and a 4kg weight pull on her. She is well travelled and her only poor run came in the bog in the Golden Slipper.
Career record (7:2-2-2).
Race to look for – 3YO races over 1000m or 1100m.
LORESHO
Loresho has taken a while to work to full fitness but the seven-year-old might be ready to win after a sound effort when fourth to the well-performed Aloft in the 2000m open handicap. Loresho raced closer to the speed when unable to finish off his race two starts back but did a good job when chasing from further back in the field on Saturday. Stewards noted Loresho was held up between the 400m and the 250m, which cost him momentum in the straight, before the import got going again late to finish off his race well enough. He has been priced at big odds at his four runs for the Weir stable but he'll be higher in the market next time out and should be ready to threaten.
Career record (15:5-2-2).
Race to look for – Open handicaps at 2000m-plus.
OZI CHOICE
I'm not sure it was the plan to lead on Ozi Choice but he did a good job to finish as close as he did in his assignment on Saturday. Ozi Choice began well but jockey Damian Lane had a couple of looks to his inside looking for a leader but nothing eventuated, which left him with no option than sliding forward to take up the lead. Ozi Choice stayed off the inside fence and went keenly midrace but fought on well in the straight to go down less than a length in one of the stronger BM84 races you'll see. Ozi Choice has had three runs back from a spell now and is ready to win.
Career record (21:5-3-1).
Race to look for – Race between BM78 & BM90 over 1400m.
See a run you especially liked at Flemington? Let our audience know via the comments section.
