3 minute read
Victorian sprinting reaches its autumn peak at Flemington on Saturday when another stunning field contests the time-honoured Newmarket Handicap.
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Won by some of the best sprinters ever to grace the Australasian, and indeed the world's turf including Black Caviar, Takeover Target, Schillaci and Gothic, the Newmarket Handicap remains one of the most highly coveted prizes of the Melbourne autumn.
Imperatriz has understandably opened favourite in 2024 Newmarket Handicap betting, but she'll need to be at her very best to carry topweight and beat the likes of Bella Nipotina and Buenos Noches.
For our comprehensive runner-by-runner guide of the 2024 Newmarket Handicap field, scroll down!
2024 Newmarket Handicap Betting Strategy
► 2 Units Imperatriz (Win)
► 1 Unit Sghirripa (Each Way)
1 – Imperatriz (3)
If there is another horse that can lug topweight to success in a Newmarket Handicap, it's probably Imperatriz.
The champion sprinter boasts an outstanding record, rich with many Group 1 success, including three in succession during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Having returned to action with a tough performance to win the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes last month, she strips fitter and will retain the services of Opie Bosson.
Given that she has had two previous looks at the Flemington straight for two wins at Group 1 level, it's tough to make a case against her this week.
2 – Bella Nipotina (4)
Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina rarely returns a poor performance and looks to be a winning chance again in the Newmarket Handicap.
Having destroyed her rivals in the 2022 Manikato Stakes, the Pride Of Dubai mare has actually failed to record another win at the highest level, but her fresh performance for fourth, beaten less than a length behind Imperatriz in the Black Caviar Lightning suggested she might have returned to racing in peak order.
Her second-up record is excellent, and she is clearly one of the bigger dangers to the early Newmarket Handicap betting favourite.
3 – Buenos Noches (9)Has continued to improve with each preparation and looks to get ideal conditions in the Newmarket Handicap.
Trainer Matt Smith has always had an opinion of him, but Buenos Noches first stamped himself as a serious sprinter when filling the minors behind In Secret in the 2022 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
He was a beaten favourite in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes first-up in Sydney, but he kept his best work for late that day, and it has reportedly topped him off for this contest.
4 – Espiona (8)
Espiona owned one of the more eye-catching performances in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes last month and appears primed for another big one in the Newmarket Handicap.
Historically, the daughter of Extreme Choice has shown her best form over 1400m and in mares' company, but her first-up run this time suggested that she might have returned a better horse again.
Jye McNeil should able to find some cover and with a clear crack at them late, she'll be tough to hold out.
5 – Ruthless Dame (2)Won the Group 1 Robert Sangster in Adelaide back in May, but hasn't found her way into the winner's stall since.
Ruthless Dame did return a competitive performance to finish second, beaten a head by Espiona in The Invitation most notably during her spring preparation, but she is probably a class below a few of the absolute topliners engaged in this Newmarket Handicap field, and would need to find her very best to be in the finish.
6 – Magic Time (12)
Magic Time makes her first appearance at the races since claiming a maiden win at the highest level in November's Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Has won five of eight career starts to date, placing a further two times and continually improving as the bar has been raised.
Having won two of three at this point of her preparation previously, she clearly rates as a competitive chance and that is echoed in the single-figure Newmarket Handicap odds that are available at publish.
7 – The Astrologist (14)Old cult hero that is almost certainly past his best.
Having yet to fire a shot in three runs back from a spell, The Astrologist has gone up at justifiable triple-figure odds on Newmarket Handicap betting.
8 – Benedetta (11)Benedetta strips fitter for a good, if not a luckless run in the Oakleigh Plate and could prove to be the value in Newmarket Handicap betting ($21 at publish).
Turned in some lovely performances during her spring preparation, while her first crack at Group 1 company this time suggested that she is up to the class.
Undefeated at this point of her preparation and with only 52kgs in tow, she has attracted some early interest at the big price.
9 – It'sourtime (1)Consistent sprinter resuming that has many times performed well down the Flemington straight.
Typically a Listed/Group 3 quality galloper and might be a little out of his depth in something like this. The $67 about him in Newmarket Handicap betting at publish agrees.
10 – Master Fay (10)Undefeated galloper making his Australian debut.
Won on debut in Hong Kong before transferring to New Zealand and winning two races there, including the Group 4 Concorde at Ellerslie in January.
This is another big rise in class, but I can understand why trainer Chad Ormsby and connections are keen to have a crack, particularly with only 52kgs in tow.
11 – Rey Magnerio (7)Finished two and a half lengths behind the winner in the Oakleigh Plate after settling just worse than midfield.
Does drop in the weights, but faces a stronger field and is almost certainly outclassed by many of these rivals.
12 – Sghirripa (6)Was forced to settle at the tail of the field in the Oakleigh Plate after missing the jump, but mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to run on late.
Sghirripa has undoubtedly returned to the races in career-best form this time, winning four of six starts including a dominant three-length triumph in the Standish Handicap at this track and trip.
With better luck last time out, he would have been right in the finish and with improvement for that hit-out, he's primed to run another cheeky race this week. Is the early Newmarket Handicap market mover ($18 into $14 at publish).
13 – Skew Wiff (5)Kiwi Group 1 winner who was well below her best in the Oakleigh Plate first-up.
Would need to go to another level to trouble some of these gallopers and has drifted in early Newmarket Handicap betting.
14 – Cylinder (13)The Newmarket Handicap field's sole three-year-old and will subsequently carry only 51.5kgs.
Stamped himself as one to watch during an impressive two-year-old campaign and was unlucky not to claim a maiden win at the highest level.
Failed to finish off when sixth, beaten two and a half lengths in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes when resuming, but tends to enjoy sharp improvement into his second campaign starts.
Jamie Kah is riding in career-best form again and at his best, the horse certainly has the ability to give this a shake.
