Newmarket Handicap Tips - Value around the fav in Flemington Group 1

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: 08 Mar 2024

Alex Marsh 08 Mar 2024

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The Newmarket Handicap will be run on March 9
This Group 1 headlines Saturday's Flemington card
Imperatriz heads the market

Expired

Sghirripa is a good each-way price in the Newmarket Handicap. (Getty)

Run under handicap conditions and contested up the Flemington straight over 1200m, the Newmarket Handicap is arguably Melbourne's most prestigious sprinting feature, with this Group 1 having been first run in 1874.

While champions such as Alinghi, Miss Andretti and Black Caviar feature on the honour roll, this Group 1 lends itself to many upset results and that's been evident in recent years through Zoutori ($20) and Roch 'N' Horse ($101).

Imperatriz heads the market for the 2024 Newmarket Handicap.

2024 Newmarket Handicap Tips

Best Bet - Sghirripa

While the talented South Australian visitor had to settle for a midfield finish last start in the Oakleigh Plate, he'll have his time in the sun at Group 1 level.

The four-year-old struggled to muster early from a wide draw, which is out of character, although following a career best at Flemington over 1200m, maybe he needs six furlongs now?

Sghirripa was completely unsuited by the pattern of the meeting, where he was back, wide and chasing, yet at 11.29, he's recorded the fastest last 200m of the Oakleigh Plate.

The shorter turnaround given the spaced-out prep is a query, but at the price and with Craig Newitt searching for record fourth Newmarket win, he's an easy each-way bet to have.

Next Best Bet - Imperatriz

The last mare to carry 58kg to victory in the Newmarket Handicap was Black Caviar in 2011 and only Hay List (58.5kg the following year) has lumped more since the great mare.

Carrying the impost is perhaps the wrong term, as it's more about giving weight to rivals who are now suited at handicap conditions and she's hardly up against a field of walkers.

On review, the return win in the Black Caviar Lightning was stronger than first glance, as while it was only a narrow winning margin, Imperatriz was always holding Private Eye.

Although she handles the straight, I do feel she's a more effective galloper around a bend and with other betting prospects. I want $3.50+ late to get involved with Imperatriz.

Value Bet - Magic Time

Espiona is going north to dodge Imperatriz and others for what is a deeper race (Newmarket), and Magic Time is another that the Chris Waller-trained mare is smartly avoiding.

With even luck, Magic Time would've belted Espiona via The Invitation at Randwick last spring and as the more lightly raced of the two, the Grahame Begg mare has more upside.

The daughter of Hellbent rounded out her spring campaign with a much-deserved Group 1 win in Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and she carries half a kilo less in the Newmarket.

While there's others who need these conditions to win at Group 1 level, I think Magic Time could measure up at WFA level this year, whether that be over sprint trips or a little further.

Verdict

Newmarket Handicap

Our tips for the 2024 Newmarket Handicap are:

Sghirripa

Each Way

@13/1 - 3 Units

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Magic Time

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