Flemington Preview Saturday June 6: Dicko on Six Races Worth Playing

Jack Dickens joined Dave Stanley on Racing HQ ahead of a big Flemington Saturday, and the card is loaded. Six races in the preview, a couple of horses Dicko owns, one he used to own, and a filly he reckons should be half the price she's trading at. Before all that, a cautionary tale about Swan Hill involving a microwave fire, a frozen motel somewhere in a paddock, and a full-grown cow at 105 kilometres an hour. We'll spare the details. He won't be going back.

Track Conditions

Wet ground expected and Dicko is leaning into it hard. Across the card, most of his plays want cut in the track. The wet is the friend here, not the enemy.

Race 2 — Mometz

Dicko likes the jockey switch and thinks 1600 metres is the sweet spot for this horse. Wet track is a big tick, the weight is manageable at 57 kilos, and Luke Cartwright gets on. The map is the one mild concern — likely to settle back and possibly wide — but at double figures each way, Dicko's not fussed. Race 2, number 9, Mometz. Each way all day.

Race 3 — Bel Mezyaan and Dirnaseer

Two plays. Dirnaseer is the main one — Dicko calls it "real Patty Payne stuff" and thinks the market hasn't given it proper respect. The horse won at Mildura by four lengths carrying 63 kilos from barrier 12 — now Durnan gets on at 52.5 kilos from barrier 5. Genuinely scopey, will eat up the wet ground, and Flemington suits. That weight drop alone is significant.

Bel Mezyaan is on the quick backup after running the best last 100 of the day last week on a heavy track. Gets through the ground for certain. Where it gets to in the run is the question — Dicko's happy to let it find its way. Both horses are flying and both are suited to the conditions. Race 3, numbers 3 and 7.

Race 4 — Blethyn and Brave Design

Dicko's caveat here is clear: he wouldn't take the current price on either. Wait until just before they jump. That said, both are in his thoughts.

Blethyn, number 1, was good at Mornington and may scratch and run there instead. Brave Design, number 4, is "an absolute tease" after one of the best tick-over trials Dicko's seen, and wasn't suited last start. Big price, both want the ground. Small bet on both if they line up. Race 4, numbers 1 and 4.

Race 5 — Elsie May

This is the one Dicko can't believe the market is missing. Elsie May — a horse The Mailbag has a share in, trained by Logan McGill — is trading around $23 and Dicko thinks she should be $10. Super run at Sandown last start, wants wet ground, Luke Cartwright up from barrier 7, and if one more scratches she draws into 6.

The one chink worth noting is Duchess Zou — a genuine rival — who now carries 56.5 kilos after racing at 51 last start. Respectable opposition but Dicko thinks the price gap is too large to ignore. Race 5, Elsie May, each way all day.

Race 6 — Windstorm, Legio Ten, and Vellasmachine

Three runners, three different stories.

Windstorm is the one Dicko owns and he's backing it. J Mott goes on, the horse goes back and buried, and if the horses from Race 2 and Race 5 run well the form ties in nicely. Trust the process, trust Mott.

Legio Ten is the one he used to own and couldn't get going — Reece Goodwin has it humming now. Quick backup, drop from 60 to 56 kilos off Jye McNeil, loves soft tracks and should get a good run from the barrier. Dicko thinks it's a big chance.

Vellasmachine is the black book entry — genuine ability, likely goes back from a wide draw but hits the line. Something each way.

Race 7 — Bold Soul, Virtuous Circle, and Shockletz

Three plays to finish. Bold Soul has had genuinely good trials, Dicko loves the map and the booking. Virtuous Circle has had two unwinnable runs and then savaged the line last start — ready to do something big at Flemington. And Shockletz — Dicko is baffled it's not favourite and calls it a big bet. Back all three.

Conclusion

Six races, a stack of plays, and a running thread of wet-ground confidence across the card. Dicko's Flemington preview has plenty of personality and plenty of substance — and Elsie May at $23 is the one he wants you to remember when the gates open.

For independent tips and form analysis every weekend — no bookmaker backing, no house interest — a Mailbag subscription is where the serious punters are. Catch Jack's full segment at The Mailbag Radio page.