Canterbury Stakes Preview & Best Bets - 08/03/2025
Newmarket Handicap Preview & Best Bets – 08/03/2025
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18+ T&C’s Apply. What is Gambling Really Costing You? What are you prepared to lose today? Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What is Gambling Really Costing You? What are you prepared to lose today? Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Here is a preview of the 1200-metre race and the best bets for the contest which is set for its 152nd year.
BEST BET: STRETAN ANGEL
Joliestar tops the early betting for this year’s Newmarket Handicap, and the former Thousand Guineas winner is likely to be in the mix at the finish of the Flemington Racing Spectacular event. However, her recent form suggests she may have to settle for one of the minor honours in the race, with Stretan Angel being the most likely winner.
Course form at Flemington is what makes Stretan Angel the best bet for this year’s Newmarket Handicap. She was a winner at the course in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1100m) last season, while more recently, she has been beaten by a length or less on her last two appearances at this venue.
Stretan Angel was second behind Skybird in the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) three weeks ago. That was an excellent run as she finished ahead of the talented three-year-old sprinter, Switzerland, while Benedetta and Growing Empire were both also behind her. Had the race been over an extra 200m, Phillip Stokes’ filly would most likely have reeled in Skybird for first place.
The daughter of Harry Angel is on the verge of surpassing $1 million in prize money in her career. The ground should be perfect for her at Flemington, while with a weight allocation of 52kg, she can go one place better than she did in the Black Caviar Lightning.
SECOND BEST BET: GROWING EMPIRE
With four wins from his opening five appearances, Growing Empire got off to a flying start to his career. Unfortunately for his connections, he is now without a victory in his last four outings, but he has been running consistently well in Group One races.
Three-year-olds have an excellent record in the Newmarket Handicap, so Ciaron Maher’s colt should not be discounted here. He was only denied in the Group One Manikato Stakes by a shot head back in September, while in the Everest, he was third behind Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick respectively.
Growing Empire is a much better horse over 1200m, so he was always going to be up against it in the Black Caviar Lightning. He looks overpriced to give Maher a first Newmarket Handicap triumph.
BEST VALUE BET: BENEDETTA
Benedetta will need to carry top weight of 57kg in this year’s Newmarket Handicap, but that should not put you off her chances. She has that allocation because she is the highest-rated horse in the field, so her ability cannot be questioned.
The five-year-old mare was a close third in the Black Caviar Lightning on her latest start at Flemington (1000m). The extra 200 metres in distance will favour her in this race, as it gives her longer to get going. As a Group One winner, she is used to carrying a big weight in these handicap races, and it is hard to see her not being in the mix at the finish here.
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