Gippsland Region Hcp. 1400 metres Time 1.23.70

Royal Symphony kept his winning record intact with an impressive win in the opening agenda; he was the only one that punters wanted.

Whilst winter form can be misleading, this time it may be the exception, he won as if he had just joined into the race.

Tony McEvoy is not pulling up stumps yet with Royal Symphony, he will be back at headquarters in two weeks for a Listed race over 1600 metres that would most likely be his swansong for the present.

He is right on track for the Caulfield Guineas as he has loads of potential ,he made the race a one act affair, he doesn’t need to improve to win again, he is an exciting horse that will run the mile at least.

Royal Symphony is by Domesday, who now stands at Aquis Farm in Queensland, at a fee of $8,800 includes GST.

Barwon South Region Hcp. 1100 metres Time 1-03-47

Overstep provided Chris Waller with the first leg of a winning double, tipping out the favourite, Invincible Al, by the shortest of margins.

Joanne Taylor, representing the leading Sydney trainer, was impressed with the effort, it was a good solid run, the filly didn’t give up at any stage, she fought it out right to the line, winning by a short half head.

The stable has been loyal to Craig Newitt, he has ridden the filly ,she came from well back in the field, as did Invincible Al, who had previously won at Flemington two weeks ago.

The entire field came down the outside of the course, the rails were vacated, however, it did not influence the result of the race.

Had the race been a little further the judge would not have had any reason to call for a print.

Loddon Mallee Region Hcp 1400 metres Time 1-24-73

Schism, who was handily placed for most of the way, gave Beau Mertens an easy ride, as she strode away for a comfortable win, having raced in Adelaide recently without success.

Mertens is having a great duel, competing with Craig Williams for leading rider of the current season, each rode a double at Flemington, it is still a head and head contest.

Former jockey, Peter Mertons, can be proud of his son who is riding so well, he didn’t have those opportunities due to severe race falls.

In the absence of Ciaron Maher, his brother, Declan, saddled up the mare, while she is in form she could easily win again.

Shism is a good type of mare that has been racing consistently she is a pretty handy filly she has won six of her 14 starts and only missed the money four times.  

Grampians Region Hcp. 2000 metres Time 2-03-97

Encosta Line completed a double at Flemington for Chris Waller, plus a win with Religify at Doomben.

The betting was a bit high wide and handsome with no less than six runners all under $10, including the Damien Oliver mount, he started at $7, while the favourite was Sir Van Dyke at $6.

Oliver had Encosta Line handy when heads were turned in for the final run in; the winning margin was three quarters of a length.

Xebec was running on at long odds, and Portion Control is not far off a win in the right sort of company, he doesn’t need it too hard.

North East Region Hcp. 2520 metres Time 1-36 .5

David Hayes believes he will have Charlevoix ready for the Banjo Patterson Series Final over 2600 metres on Saturday week.

The aid of blinkers and jumping has turned the gelding right around, however, there is no chance of the gelding embarking on a jumping career in the immediate future, whilst he is a good jumper he will be targeted for early staying races in the spring, “he won’t be jumping for a long time,” said David Hayes.

“I am pretty confident about this horse, he is a front running staying horse, he has a lot ahead of him, in the spring we will keep him on the flat for the time being,” said Hayes.

2017 Country Achiever Gerald Egan 1100 metres Time 1-03.61

Ability started a warm favourite with punters and gave Craig Williams the second leg of a winning double, with the jockeys premiership going right down to the wire, with Beau Mertons who also rode a winning double.

The four year old gelding is by Reward For Effort, he raced in the colours of the late Phil Sly, a well known and popular figure, he left a hole in racing when he passed on.

The gelding won first up at Moonee Valley earlier this month, after a long layoff of nine months.

He started a pronounced favourite, even though he had the wobbles at the close of betting.

Husson Eagle finished stoutly, there was only a head in the result, he does love Flemington, he is not far off another win.  

David Bourke Provincial Plate 1600 metres Time 1-36.92

There was a lot of sentimental value attached to the win of Riyadh in the David Bourke Provincial Plate, the gelding has had 16 starts since joining the stables of Peter Healey, and never failed to return a cheque from each run.

Peter only has four horses in work, and that’s about all he wants, he has been based at Mornington for a long time with no thoughts of moving on, he is happy with the small team and while Riyadh continues to bring in cheques there won’t be much to worry about.

Riyadh was bred in New Zealand, he was purchased for $100,000 to race in Hong Kong, he is by Darci Brahma, once he began to lose form in the Orient he found a home with Peter at Mornington.

Brian Beattie Hcp. 1400 metres Time 1-23.25

Favourite punters quickly latched onto Cannyescent when he opened up favourite, he was by far the most consistent runner in the field, with an amazing strike rate of 50 per cent, he has now won seven of his 14 starts.

The form line was there, he was entitled to be favourite, a last start winner at Sandown, and before that he had won at Rosehill.

It completed a double for Beau Mertons, he rode the gelding a treat, travelling in the box seat for most of the trip before slipping away with 800 metres to run.

Tom Dabernig, with a grin from ear to ear, stood in for the Lindsay Park team said, “we were pleased with the run, he will go around again in two weeks here if he pulls up well,” he added.    

Bay and Ranges Region Hcp 1600 metres Time 1-38.64

Thaad may have slipped under the guard of punters, when he came from well back in the field to take out the thick end of the prize in the final race at Flemington.

He is obviously a very adaptable gelding, as he handled the reverse way of going as if he had been foaled there.

He came from well back in the field and was running on strongly, he was neglected in betting, starting at double figure odds.

When questioned about the win Wayne Hawkes was a bit surprised, the gelding will now be rested and set for a likely race in the spring, as he has had only six starts in his entire life.

The win completed a winning double for Dwayne Dunn, he is a very accomplished horseman and a credit to the racing industry.