You thought this column was dead and buried, but not to worry, Payney’s Punt is back and we’ve got pockets that need filling up.
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Just like your local watering hole — that’s pubs for you non-drinkers — hosting a members’ draw jackpot that must go off, punters from far and wide will race to pick up the latest Payney’s Punt.
It’s been a long time between drinks for this mug punter, but nothing has changed.
We’ll still land the odd whale and as always, go down in the first leg of the quaddie.
We have set our sights on headquarters, with Flemington playing host to a bumper nine-race card that is headlined by the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes.
The rail is in its true position and with rain during the week expect them to run on a soft track.
As always, if you are having a dabble with some of the hard-earned, please remember to gamble responsibly.
Race 1. 12.30pm - Poseidon Stakes (1100m)
Nothing like down the Flemington straight with some lightly-raced colts to kick off proceedings in the first. Doull (6) is a serious player. This colt is akin to the Flying Door-mat (shout out to Brucey) when in full flight and we saw a glimpse of that in May. Won in style on debut down the straight and has trialled well. Goes on top. Alpha One (4) should command serious respect. We may have been on Giga Kick when this colt ran second last start, but he was still a gallant performance. If the track worsens and the rain sets in before they jump in the first, expect love to come in. We are going to watch Zou Sensation (10) closely. We think the son of Zoustar is worth a nibble at 16s. Performed well in soft conditions and returns after 10 weeks after winning a recent trial. Should sit right behind Doull down the straight.
Top tip: Doull (W), Zou Sensation (P)
Race 2. 1.05pm - Hcp (1700m)
The gallopers push out past the mile in the second and expect the early pace to come from Irish galloper Buckhurst (4). But favourite Lyrical Lad (13) presents as the best of this bunch, with the five-year-old gelding currently priced at a nice $3.60. With a bit of moisture set to hit the track, he has yielded three wins on the soft and triumphed in his only appearance on a heavy. $6 kiwi pop Hezashocka (12) should also have a say in proceedings across the 1700m, and comes into this having taken each step of the podium in his three outings this preparation. Delving a bit deeper and there is a bit of value in Adelaide Ace (14). Currently sitting at $11, the six-year-old gelding has won second up before and placed on two other occasions, and with a nice turn of early speed could feature prominently. While Danny O’Brien-trained galloper Young Werther (2) should also enter calculations at $16 as he resumes after a 327-day lay off. Was super impressive last time out at Flemington, pushing superstar Incentivise in the Group One Turnbull Stakes last October to run a gallant second. But coming off a 46-week lay-off he may need a couple of runs to get going.
Top tip: Lyrical Lad (W)
Race 3. 1.40pm - Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m)
Back down the straight for the third and as expected there will be plenty of early speed. A truckload of value here for the average Joe. A lot of keen eyes are going with talented filly Ghaanati (7). Won in style on debut and beat home recent Quezette Stakes winner Bound For Home. Has drawn the rails. English Riviera (12) broke its maiden last start with a whopping 10-length win. Was it a one-off? Bubble Palace (9) has plenty of upside and comes in undefeated. Just keep watch on whether Clarity (10) shortens in price. This filly went straight in our blackbook after a sizzling win at long odds last start when on debut. That win came on a Heavy 9 and although it wasn’t a dominant performance, the way this filly worked home late made us take notice. If there’s more rain than expected she could shock again especially behind the quick tempo. We have landed with last year’s Maribyrnong winner Get In The Spirit (5). That race has always stacked up form-wise and six have since gone on to win. Having a nibble at 12/1.
Top tip: Get In The Spirit (EW)
Race 4. 2.20pm - The Sofitel (1400m)
Hopefully the luck continues here in what shapes up too be a tricky one to navigate. No surprise to see Lightsaber (1) push forward and look to take up the lead. Will have Bermadez (8) patrol beside him from barrier 11. Pinstriped (10) is lightly-raced, but is very promising. Has drawn out in Fitzroy and might be giving them too much of a buffer, but don’t be surprised if the gelding runs well. Bermadez goes on top purely for its form when first-up. Is unbeaten from four attempts when fresh and loves running on soft ground. Has form at Flemington and over this trip.
Top tip: Bermadez
Race 5. 2.55pm - Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)
The headline act. The Group One Makybe Diva Stakes and all the support is coming for I’m Thunderstuck (1). It maps as though Alligator Blood (4) will push forward from barrier two and take up the front running. I’m Thunderstruck is drawn on the rails and expect the gelding to stalk Alligator over the mile. The five-year-old was impressive when first-up and ran second in the Memsie Stakes. Hit the line well and looks like the mile is a big tick. Only query is no wins when second-up, but there’s no better time to start than now.
Top tip: I’m Thunderstruck
Race 6. 3.35pm - Hcp (2500m)
Race six will see the action extend over 2000m for the first and only time tomorrow, with a sleuth of intriguing prospects to decipher through. Four-year-old Irish galloper Point Nepean (3) presents as the early favourite, paying a juicy $3.50 after completing its last preparation with a trio of wins. Having a win and second place finish under its belt in two of three first up starts, and with Jamie Kah on board, expect the Robert Hickmott-trained four-year-old to feature prominently. There will be an definite Irish flavour to this race as fellow patriot Interpretation (4) opens the next line of betting. Paying a nice $5.50 and wearing blinkers for the first time, it has won one a soft track before, and also claimed victory in its only second up start. Through Irish Eyes (8) has just raced so consistently of late and is deserving of a win here. Plenty of love for Mimi’s Award (15). Is another consistent type and should get a soft run from barrier three. Point Nepean might not allow them to sprint home.
Top tip: Point Nepean (W), Mimi’s Award (P)
Race 7. 4.15pm - Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m)
There are only two that we like in race seven and as always, that’s due to filling our piggy bank with them previously. Flying Mascot (6) goes on top here. Ran fifth when first-up behind favourite Kissonallforcheeks (5), but is yet to run outside the top-two when second-up. Likes a soft ground and expect a strong return. Kissonallforcheeks must be respected despite the wide barrier. Form at this track and distance is worth giving a kiss on each cheek for. We could hedge our bets with Lady Of Honour (11) as well. The Lindsay Park runner is unbeaten over this trip and on soft ground from two attempts. Won last start, but this is much harder. Will set the speed and should give itself every chance.
Top tip: Flying Mascot
Race 8. 5.50pm - Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)
Back down the straight for the Group Two Bobbie Lewis Quality. One of our favourites runs around in this fresh from a spell and long-time readers of Payney’s Punt will know straight away who we are raving about. It’s of course two-time winner of the Bobbie Lewis, Zoutori (1). Ran fourth in this race last year with 59.5kg and will need to manage this time around with 58.5kg. Loves racing here with a 12:4-1-2 record over this trip/distance. Swats That (12) returns from a spell and has changed to a new stable. Last spring we saw what this mare was capable of and finished in the places behind talented sprinters. Has a 5:1-1-1 record when fresh and 4:0-2-0 record over this trip/distance. Banking on the switch in stables will see Swats That stamp her authority. Sirius Suspect (11), Shooting For Gold (13) and Stageman (8) can all give this a shake.
Top tip: Swats That
Race 9. 5.25pm - Exford Plate (1200m)
In the last it could be a serious rescue job or we could be eating caviar for a lifetime. Happy to put Tijuana (3) on top after what we witnessed last start when fresh. Despite us yelling “kick” Tijuana missed it and jumped poorly before flying home over 1200m to finish third. This colt is a big lump of a horse and needs room to wind up down the straight which he should get from barrier 11. Won the listed Anzac Stakes over this trip/track in April. The sky really is the limit with this thing and the same will be said between the ownership group if it salutes.
Top tip: Tijuana
Best of the Day
When: Saturday
Where: Flemington
Race 9: Tijuana (3)
Sports Editor