3 minute read

The calendar officially turns to winter and the road to the Winter Championships turns into headquarters as Flemington plays host to key heats.

Few could, would or should forget last year's Winter Championships which built to a mighty crescendo as the Silver Bowl series closed out the Finals Day card in style. Golden Path landed the coveted Silver Bowl Final with a power-packed performance at what was just his third start. He had waited until as late as May to announce himself a Silver Bowl player by winning handsomely on debut at Pakenham.

The win was yet another great moment for the Mighty Micks, Price and Kent Jr, and it is one that they are clearly keen to relive. They have set out to do so with Batoka Chief who goes in race three at Flemington on Saturday off a May debut at Pakenham which would have had many walking away from Nar Nar Goon talking Silver Bowls.

Batoka Chief put up an even better debut number than Golden Path did twelve months ago, blowing the doors off a field that has already turned out a pair of winners from behind a winner who was on a different plane.

It's not one way traffic at Flemington on Saturday in a race where a few have performed well both at and around the level, and the likeably-named Craig also arrives off a maiden win that had substance to go with its style, but if Batoka Chief converts his promise to performance he will beat these and go to Finals Day as one of its (many) star turns. $4.80 is a bet. 

Here at the Melbourne Mail it's a case of numbers first and narrative later but we can't help but feel that the racing gods are looking down fondly on Mike Moroney's stable at the moment. 

The yard's numbers have gotten rather warm over the past month with 10 winners coming at twice the rate of market expectation and a Sandown double on Wednesday was backed up by strong ratings. 

Burlington Gate is one of those ten winners and while things get tougher for him in race five at Flemington on Saturday the standard doesn't look formidable or frightening.

A step foward of some kind can be expected with his profile and it doesn't have to be too big to go from fringe player to top stayer on the Mahagony Series Stage. Double figure prices appeal. 

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 3 #12 Batoka Chief @ $4.80

Each Way Play: Race 5 #10 Burlington Gate @ $11.00