Flemington Blackbookers - Saturday, September 13

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Mon 15 Sep 2025 07:17

Alex Marsh 15 Sep 2025

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Prestige Ole showed staying promise, should improve with longer trips
Leica Lucy returned well; expected to peak as distances rise
Deakin building fitness - on target for Melbourne Cup tilt

Several spring prospects caught the eye at Flemington on Saturday, September 13. (Getty)

Flemington’s September 13 meeting produced a number of spring horses to keep an eye on, with several runners doing enough to warrant blackbook status. From lightly raced three-year-olds to proven stayers building towards longer targets, there were encouraging signs through the card.

Several performances stood out as worth following with interest as the spring campaign unfolds.

Race 3 - Prestige Ole (5th): Lacked the class of the winner Vinrock, although Prestige Ole was suited by the tempo and arguably the pick of the chasers in behind. This was his first run back and only his fifth career start, so he had excuses but still produced a solid performance.

There has been little to fault across his short career, with each outing showing progression and a willingness to keep finding the line. Importantly, he looks the type to stretch out further in trip, and he closed off well once balanced here.

A spring staying path would not surprise, and his pedigree also supports that view. He hails from the same family as Amalfi, who won the 2001 Victoria Derby, and Prestige Ole shapes as a three-year-old worth following as the distances rise.

Race 9 - Leica Lucy (4th): A quality mare who won six of her first seven in New Zealand, including the NZ Oaks, before heading across to contest the Australian Oaks, where she was competitive before going for a spell. Her class is not in question, and she showed plenty when resuming here.

Not much was expected first-up over 1400m, and she was allowed to find her rhythm at the rear of the field. Once balanced, she worked home strongly through the line, suggesting that she has returned in good order.

The key will be a rise in distance, with her best clearly coming over ground. This was an ideal return, and she looks set to progress nicely into the spring as the races stretch out.

Race 10 - Deakin (7th): Gained a Melbourne Cup slot back in March when winning the Roy Higgins Quality, so there was never going to be much intent from the stable early in the spring over shorter trips. This second-up performance was much sharper, and he continues to build fitness.

Only in his second Australian campaign, there is natural upside still to come, and he has clearly strengthened since his autumn preparation. The key for him is simply ticking over in these shorter events while laying the foundation for longer targets.

Deakin is firmly on a Cups path and trending the right way. With a guaranteed Melbourne Cup run secured, he looks set to improve again once he steps back out in trip.