Finally, Spring is back! Group 1 Racing is finally back! The best horses are back at the races and many of them will step out for the first time this weekend at Randwick. The Winx Stakes field is choccas and will likely produce a thrilling finish with the likes of Zaaki, Mo’Unga, Think It Over and Fangirl all hitting the line hard, very exciting indeed! Hopefully, plenty of wins to be had as well this weekend, let’s jump in!
Track Report: The Randwick track is currently listed as a Heavy 8 and the rain that poured down on Thursday night will ensure we have some form of wet track this weekend, I would say no better than Soft 6. Rail is in the true position so every horse will have their best chance of winning.
Race 1 – 1200M Midway (Bm72)
It is a one-horse show for me here, can’t have anything else but Nicko’s horse Cheerful Legend. He owns it and it has really run well for him so far in its career under his ownership with some strong runs at Midway grade including a thunderous win at Rosehill. He should settle towards the rear and kick home hard.
Backrower is the field favourite and should be respected. Usually does his best work fresh and his latest trial looked strong. However, his barrier is a shocker. He is out in the carpark with that 16th barrier and he’ll have to work hard to find the front. He can certainly win, but he will have to do it the hard way.
Vindication has the form behind Mogo Magic and my goodness is that a horse that I respect highly. The form has been specked already with the race producing a subsequent winner so it can potentially take him a long way. Should get a clean lead and will prove hard to run down as this is his pet distance.
Ningaloo Star rounds out selections thanks to her consistency in this grade.
Selections: 2-3-4-7
Suggested Bet: Cheerful Legend Each Way
Race 2 – 1100M TAB Highway Hcp (C2)
I am settling with the $16 chance in Manzoni. Ran on excellently last start at Forbes and just missed because he got too wide on the turn, that won’t be an issue at the bigger track in Randwick. Rachel King on board and with a clean jump she hopefully won’t get shuffled all the way to the back from the first barrier and can sit just behind the chasing pack and be quickest home.
Derry Grove won well at Ipswich last start where he dictated the speed throughout and kicked all the way down the straight. He looks like he could be on the up with scope for improvement. Rawiller is booked and should put him in a good spot in transit and his best work will be done late.
Rumours Abroad is one to watch for sure. He has won two on the trot in the country in impressive fashion and the camp ensured they booked JMac so clearly they are confident. Might get trapped wide from the barrier though.
Sungblue is knocking on the door for a win at this level after a couple of close placings behind some smart types, especially Demitasse 2 starts back. He will stalk the leaders and have a say late.
Selections: 6-1-12-2
Suggested Bet: Manzoni Each Way
Race 3 – 2400M Gold Coast Turf Club (Bm78)
I respect Kirkeby, he is flying right now, but the 62.5kg scares me off him. Sometimes all you need is class, but that is a lot of weight to carry for such a distance, I think he’ll get bogged down late.
I am going to be with a horse that has ran this distance many times before and that is Pachino. Literally coming off 2 midweek 2400 wins down in Victoria and yes this will be harder but they have booked JMac which shows confidence, I am happy to have a stab at him.
Martial Edge is another that looks prime for this one. He has run the distance 4 times and is yet to miss the quinella. He has been building with every run this prep and will be looking to peak here 3rd up, should be strong late.
Karmazone is one for the exotics here so he can round out selections in a pretty thin field.
Selections: 5-1-2-9
Suggested Bet: Pachino Each Way
Race 4 – 1600M Toyota Forklifts (Bm78)
I think Hollywood Hero is overs at $9, he was only half a length off the favourite last start yet he keeps his big price tag. He didnt get to control the pace last start, which he should get to here with the soft draw and he should be hard to hold off late I think.
Ivan’s Hero is that favourite that I mentioned earlier who only narrowly defeated Hollywood Hero last start. The margin might not have been much but it was certainly a gutsy win where he was able to hold on under late pressure which is a good sign. 1600m the only query as he has only placed once from 4 goes.
Amor Victorious is flying at the moment. Fantastic win last start where he bounced out of the gates and settled right behind the leader and took over going around the bend and never looked back. Should find himself in a similar place here, watch out for him to press the button at the top of the straight.
Venelope is the X Factor. Constantly running on and looking for further, she finally gets it here and could finally prove to be a good horse.
Selections: 12-13-14-18
Suggested Bet: Hollywood Hero Each Way
Race 5 – 1200M Mostyncopper Show County Qlty
Extremely Lucky for me here. Ex-SA galloper that is now in the hands of Chris Waller and he seems to have lofty goals for him as he has been sent out in Group company during the trials and he’s held his own, splitting I Am Me and Fangirl in a recent trial where he closed off excellently. I will trust it, for now, one of those ones that could come out and blitz them or fall flat on his face. I am hoping for the former.
Kalino goes next. He is a great sprinter at the Benchmark level and I am glad to see him finally get a shot at the Group level. Jamie Kah is a strong booking and she should take him right to the fence and sit right on the tail of the leaders and try and burst past them in the straight.
Dragonstone is a real non-winner. He is constantly sucking in punters with his solid, but not amazing runs and strong trials. He will have a lot of fans on Saturday for sure as he finds probably his most winnable field in a while. He’ll just be an exotic play for me.
Buenos Noches is of course the class horse of the field. Had a great Spring last year before heading to England where he pulled up lame. I don’t trust him, need to see him run first to see if he can still produce his best.
Selections: 10-9-7-1
Suggested Bet: Extremely Lucky Win
Race 6 – 2000M Premier’s Cup
Stacked with talent here, big fan of Cleveland, but gee I don’t trust him after he went amiss in the Sydney Cup and he hasn’t come here with a trial under his belt so I can’t be on him. His best will certainly win, but I don’t know if he has his best here.
King Frankel is a horse I am a big fan of but I also love Fawkner Park, they’re drawn next to each other out wide, but it is a completely different set-up for them. King Frankel will have to work really hard to get towards the front and most likely gets trapped wide. The 2000 start is very tricky like that at Randwick so he’ll need to turn the jets on quick if he is to get to the rails and dictate things as he usually likes to.
Whereas Fawkner Park can just jump, slot in towards the rear, as he likes and gun them all down in the straight. Dylan Gibbons back on board is a massive plus, he will press the button at the right time and he’ll get them on the line.
Bois D’Argent also presents as a strong chance despite the large price, overs.
Selections: 14-1-2-5
Suggested Bet: Fawkner Park Win
Race 7 – 1100M Laurel Oak Toy Show Qlty
Zougotcha for me here. Despite the fact I think 1100 could be slightly sharp for her, she has more class than most of this field put together so I think with JMac on board, who knows her inside and out and a love for Randwick, she should be winning here.
Queen Of The Ball is a big danger elsewhere, her trial was immaculate and beat home some strong horses, including Nature Strip. She will head right to the front and be the one they have to run down.
Parisal is a surprising favourite in my mind. She is to be respected. Undefeated at the distance, but has she beaten the quality of horse that Zougotcha has? I say no, but she is a quality mare and can take this one out.
North Star Lass has talent but would be surprised if none of the first 3 selections win.
Selections: 1-8-7-4
Suggested Bet: Zougotcha Win BEST BET
Race 8 – 1400M G1 Winx Stakes
All over Fangirl in this one. She doesn’t have to chase Anamoe anymore. Arguably without Anamoe, she is a 5 time G1 winner. I think this is her time to shine and step into the spotlight. She’ll jump, JMac will get her into the perfect spot and she’ll launch late and get over the top of them.
Zaaki is the only other horse I can see beating her to be honest. He’s getting up there in age and can be very hit and miss but he usually performs with J Kah on his back, so I can see him being taken straight to the front and setting the pace and if the chasers switch off for a second she can go all the way with it.
Think It Over is a horse that I respect so highly and I would love to see him win, but surely he can’t be the same horse after such a long break? His trial says he’s back, but a race is a whole new game. His best probably wins, but I think he’ll need the run.
Hinged is becoming the biggest G1 non-winner of all time. However, she was also plagued by having to chase Anamoe, so I can certainly see her putting a very strong foot forward without the Big Blue in front of her. She also comes right into contention if the track remains soggy.
Selections: 13-2-1-16
Suggested Bet: Fangirl Win
Race 9 – 1200M Darley Silver Shadow Stks
This race is stacked if I am being honest and I am very keen to see how it goes down and see how these horses have progressed as 3YO’s. Zardozi the unbeaten filly here and beware her. I think she is a very good sort, very good, a win here would definitely not shock, but I feel she is a horse that will better love 1400-1600+ especially now she’s older.
I am leaning towards the two Waterhouse and Bott fillies in the Aqua – Platinum Jubilee and Taormina. Taormina most likely pushes right to the front while PJ will sit just off the pace and do her best work late. Everyone knows how much I love PJ but to be honest, Taormina has really caught my eye. She caught my eye all the way back at the same trials that PJ did at the original juvenile trials back this time last year. She has gotten better with every start and her trial looked real slick, it was quicker than all the others in the same session, including Cylinder, who is a $2 favourite in the Melbourne version of this race.
Kristilli is the danger here. JMac had his pick of the bunch and jumps on this lightly raced girl from the Neasham camp. The market has reacted accordingly and she has gone up favourite. Big watch in the yard.
Selections: 8-3-7-2
Suggested Bet: Taormina Each Way
Race 10 – 1200M Acy Securities (Bm78)
King Of Naples here. It has been a very successful prep for this O’Shea-trained gelding with 2 wins and a couple of placings from 5 starts and he can pick up another win here. He can go in the wet and should land in a prime spot to put in a strong lunge at the line.
Pacific Ruby is in this up to her neck thanks to the rain. Undefeated on the heavy tracks and JMac going on board will certainly increase her chances here. She’s a backmarker and will be hoping the leaders overdo it and she can breeze on by late.
Time To Boogie is the favourite after a strong prep to date and has produced 2 wins and 2 2nd placings from 4 starts, however, he is pretty untried on wet tracks, especially the heavy range, so if the track is still saturated come to the end of the day, this will be a big query for him.
Tintookie rounds out selections for her consistent performances on wet tracks and form behind Mogo Magic.
Selections: 4-3-7-13
Suggested Bet: King Of Naples Each Way
Top Selections For The Card
Race 1: Cheerful Legend
Race 2: Manzoni
Race 3: Pachino
Race 4: Hollywood Hero
Race 5: Extremely Lucky
Race 6: Fawkner Park
Race 7: Zougotcha (BEST BET)
Race 8: Fangirl
Race 9: Taormina
Race 10: King Of Naples
Quaddie
Race 7: 1,7,8
Race 8: 1,2,7,13,16
Race 9: 1,2,3,7,8,11
Race 10: 3,4,7
GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY. CHANCES ARE YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE. SET A DEPOSIT LIMIT.