Horse racing tips: Flemington best bets and quaddie analysis for Saturday, August 2, 2025
News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and detailed quaddie selections at Flemington on Saturday.
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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY
RACE 1: 3YO BENCHMARK 70 (1410m)
$50 win EXIT (4) at $2
Short enough in a small field but won with authority last start at Sandown. Champion jockey Blake Shinn has stuck with the three-year-old Bivouac filly, who could be aimed at much richer targets in the spring. She toyed with opposition last start, sat off them and bolted clear to win by 1¼ lengths. Respect CROSSBOW (2) coming down from Sydney after being runner-up the past two starts.
RACE 3: BENCHMARK 74 (1200m)
$50 win DE BERGERAC (6) at $3.30
Did everything but win last start at Flemington, when collared late by the surging La Fracas. The five-year-old Zoustar gelding, trained by Grahame Begg, could more than make amend here down in grade. Carried weight well in the past, so going from 52.5kg in stronger grade to 58kg on Saturday (after 2kg claim for apprentice Tom Prebble) should not pose an issue. De Bergerac won with 61kg fresh then placed third behind La Fracas two back with 59.5kg. Include SHAIME (14) in exotics.
RACE 5: BENCHMARK 78 (2000m)
$25 each-way AZTEC STATE (1) at $5.50/$1.95
Super win first-up at Sandown after a long break, produced a three-length romp. Entitled to experience a case of second-up blues last start but raced well again, set a task back in the field but worked home nicely to run fifth in a 1700m Benchmark 84. Down in class, up in distance looks an ideal recipe for success with rising star Tasmanian apprentice jockey Jackson Radley in the saddle. Wary of favourite FEDERER (14).
RACE 7: GROUP 3 AURIE'S STAR HANDICAP (1200m)
$50 win SPLASH BACK (11) at $2.50
Produced arguably the most visually impressive performance of the winter carnival, with an astonishing turn of foot to win last start at Flemington. Going for three on the bounce after a brilliant first-up win at Caulfield and more than capable. Quiet jumpout between Flemington runs has Splash Back primed to make a statement on Saturday. First time down the straight but the five-year-old mare looks more than capable.
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QUADZILLA
LEG 1 - RACE 6
ZOU SENSATION (8) showed rivals a clean pair of plate last start at Caulfield and runner-up El Rocko has won since to frank the form line. The six-year-old gelding could be aimed up at a Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in the spring so this should be a nice audition. RUN HARRY RUN (4) has raced solidly without much success, touched off two back. MUNHAMEK (2) a definite threat.
1ST LEG 2, 4, 8
LEG 2 - RACE 7
SPLASH BACK (11) the one to beat bar none. Going for a hat-trick of wins for the campaign and more to give going forward. First look at the straight but the mare should be too good. Sydney raider KING OF ROSEAU (10) has raced well up north and must be respected. MARBLE NINE (2) has sights on a double hat-trick and must also be included. Will be up on speed and hard to run down.
2ND LEG 2, 10, 11
LEG - RACE 8
TOO DARN DISCREET (15) has won second-up previously and could do so again. Talented mare with plenty of upside. HARD TO CROSS (3) has slipped under the radar potentially, has yet to trouble scorer at Flemington but six-time 1600m winner. Include. ONE LONG DAY (11) has been a model of consistency, won four of nine and placed on four occasions. OUTTA COMPTON (5) and EL SOLEADO (1) around the mark again.
3RD LEG 1, 3, 5, 11, 15
LEG 4 - RACE 9
ILLYIVY (9) is due to run second based on pattern – 2121 – the past four starts but mare in form and racing in great heart, must be seriously considered a winning chance. STYLISH (1) has also raced well this campaign and now has Blake Shinn engaged to ride, the champion jockey piloted the mare in a recent jumpout. VIENNA VIXEN (7) next best.
FOURTH LEG 1, 7, 9
COST $100 FOR 74%
SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with MUNHAMEK (2) and ZOU SENSATION (8). In the second leg take SPLASH BACK (11) one out. Then in the third leg take HARD TO CROSS (3), ONE LONG DAY (11) and TOO DARN DISCREET (15). Come home with STYLISH (1) and ILLYIVY (9).
1ST LEG: 2, 8
3ND LEG: 11
3RD LEG: 3, 11, 15
4TH LEG: 1, 9
COST $100 FOR 833%
Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Flemington on Saturday, August 2, 2025
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