Weir cautious about Flemington chances

Thursday 4 July 2013, 4:25pm

Wide barrier draws, big weights and the unknown of a new stable acquisition.

They are all factors keeping a lid on the enthusiasm of trainer Darren Weir when it comes to his Flemington team for Saturday.

Following an impressive midweek win by Means A Lot at Caulfield, Weir will have six starters striving to bring home the honours at Flemington.

One of his best chances is promising filly Ava's Delight, an odds-on favourite for the Rivette Series Final (1600m).

Boasting a spring victory over subsequent Australian Cup winner Super Cool, Ava's Delight has topweight of 60kg which the trainer describes as "a little worry".

But she comes into Saturday's race in good form.

Last start she streeted a field of colts and geldings and at Flemington she drops back to fillies grade.

"She's in really good order and I'm happy with her," Weir said.

Stablemate Digitalism is the $4.80 favourite for the Slickpix/TVN Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m).

Like Ava's Delight, he also has to contend with top weight of 60kg and is appearing for the first time under Weir's tutelage.

"He's a new horse for us so I don't know a lot about him," Weir said.

"But he has come to us in good order from John Sadler."

The three-year-old's recent form has been consistent with a Moonee Valley victory two runs ago followed by a second at the same venue last time out.

Among Weir's other entries is honest stayer Police Gazette in the Banjo Patterson Series Final (2600m), although Weir concedes the Robert Smerdon-trained favourite Cooldini is the horse to beat.

Police Gazette dead-heated for third behind Cooldini last start.

All eight races on Saturday's program are series Finals, including the $150,000 Winter Championship (1600m) which has attracted a final field of 13 horses.

Included among them is early favourite The Cleaner and the Michael O'Leary-trained Glaneuse who will be chasing his third successive victory in the race.

The All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) has also drawn a handy field headed by Group Two winner Sea Lord and the progressive Riziz.

– AAP

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