Last weekend was a nice return to form as we snagged almost half the card with 4 wins on the day at Rosehill. This week we look towards what is one of the quieter days of the Spring Racing Carnival for Sydney with no big races to talk about, however, there are plenty of stars making their way to Randwick this weekend which should make for some phenomenal contests. Let’s get stuck in!
Track Report: Currently a Soft track but with the sun shining today and on raceday I wouldn’t be surprised if we get back to Good 4. Rail out 4 metres the entire circuit so the leaders could have a slight advantage, but typically Randwick plays pretty even with anything 4 metres and below, so expect fair racing.
Race 1 – 1400M Midway (Bm72)
Midways are always hard to pick so it’s good to have one you own in there so it makes it easier to pick. I will be with Different Strokes, of course, owned by OG Mock Harrison Read, Shout out to him, hopefully, it runs strongly with a strong launch at the line late.
Straight Acer lines up with the potential to go 2 on the trot here after a smart win in the Midway at Rosehill last start. Draws to do no work, should sit amongst the pack and go wide late and try and storm home down the outside I think.
Backrower was too far back and wide to ever be a factor last start as a firm favourite and gets a much better set-up here. Middle draw, JMac can take him forward if he pleases, or just take a sit with cover and wait for his moment going around the turn. Does best work when 2nd up, can figure into this one for sure.
Eyeque has form behind Mogo Magic, long time readers know how much I love that formline, so he rounds out selections.
Selections: 8-1-3-11
Suggested Bet: Different Strokes Win
Race 2 – 1200M Highway (C3)
I’ll be with Wizard of Oz. He has been running very solidly this prep without winning. He has run into the likes of Iron Will, who he meets here again and Overlord, both of whom just had more kick than him on the day. I think he’ll look the winner for a long time and I hope he manages to hold on.
Manzoni is one I won’t be writing off of his last start. I was on him and to the eye it was plain, but if you go back and watch the replay you see he got quite crowded on the fence and it ended up being the last place any horse wanted to be on the day, so I will forgive it. Should improve here.
Don’tcha Think has been rising through the country grades nicely and earns his chance at Saturday Highway level now. His last start especially was quite impressive with some fantastic sectionals over the 1000m mark. He races like the 1200m would suit and could be a great each way play.
Centre Bounce rounds out selections after a sound run last start. Doesn’t have to beat Derry Grove this time around which will increase his chances.
Selections: 2-12-17-14
Suggested Bet: Wizard Of Oz Each Way
Race 3 – 1100M Lockton (Bm78)
Waverider Buoy to prove hard to beat here I think with that very consistent record of a win and 4 second placings this prep, gets a decent barrier and the Waller camp is confident she can get another win here.
Beware the unbeaten horse, Dancing Alone. She has beaten nobody on the provincials and makes the jump up to Saturday grade here, however, her sectionals have been quite fast which makes me feel she can hack it here. Draws to do no work, Nash can do whatever he pleases with her and I am however she is into a very short price for a very open race. If she is that good, I’ll respect it, but I will happily let her win without my money.
I think Rainbiel is a cheeky each way bet at big odds. Rainbiel is now in the hands of Joe Pride and is trialling great, he could have a sneaky Mariamia 2.0 on his hands. Loves this distance, should be near the front and a win wouldn’t shock me one bit despite the big price.
Tintookie is going for 2 on the trot here after a fantastic win last start at Randwick where she beat a handy field and still has scope for improvement in my opinion.
Selections: 2-11-4-10
Suggested Bet: Rainbiel Each Way
Race 4 – 1600M Ikon Services (Bm94)
A lot of horses to go to the front here and one of them, who will have to do a bit of work from the wide draw granted, but I think he should be just fine, pun definitely intended because his name is Just Fine. European import for Waterhouse and Bott who has beaten Dubai Honour before. Trial was excellent, I think the wide barrier could just be giving us a bigger price here.
Tazaral is a deserved favourite after going 2/2 to start the preparation. After a nice tick-over trial last week he still looks at the top of his game. Should be towards the front with Just Fine and I wouldn’t be surprised if they gap the field and go neck and neck down the straight.
Gan Teorainn is an interesting one here. He was quite plain first up at Hawkesbury, finishing 4 lengths off of Bold Mac and Protagonist, which isn’t a bad formline at all, he was just very one-paced. Waller has come out and said he will improve here, so I would be putting him in your exotics in case he comes out and blitzes them.
Mission Phoenix is on the one week back up and has looked well in both starts to date, he has just needed a jump in distance
Race 5 – 2400M Sydney City Lexus Ctc Cup
I think Serpentine will get a very soft lead here, even from the wide barrier and he will be able to dictate the pace and I feel like that could potentially let him break their hearts a bit by taking off around the turn and leave them flat-footed. At the price, he is a great each way play.
Military Mission, the stablemate, most likely pushes to sit just off Serpentine and stalks him everywhere he goes. If he takes off then Military Mission will not be far behind. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they gap the field together down the straight.
I think Hosier could be one to follow here. Ran very strongly to win the Premiers Cup, and should have an identical set-up here, just needs the ability to run the distance, which he is untested at. He also has a fitness advantage on most of these. The distance the only query.
Kirkeby is probably above his pay grade here ,but he is quite simply the measure of consistency and can certainly find his way into the top 4 and rounds out the selections as such.
Selections: 4-5-2-14
Suggested Bet: Serpentine Each Way
Race 6 – 1200M Darley Furious Stakes
Kimochi flew home, she seems to have returned super, she is lightly raced and mostly untapped potential wise. She flew down the outside last start and if she can press the ‘Go’ button just a little earlier, she can get over the top.
Platinum Jubilee is also a big chance here in my opinion, she should improve 2nd up. Bayliss should take her straight towards the front and should sit on the tails of the leaders and just truck behind the speed. I expect a strong showing.
Autumn Ballet looking to go 2/2 after a strong win in the Silver Shadow Stakes a couple of weeks ago. She will have almost the exact same run you would think. Jump, head to the front, wait for the turn and then kick down the line and never look back. Hyeronimus gave her a peach steer in the Silver Shadow and if he repeats it here, a finish in the money is to be expected.
Tiz Invincible comes here after a tough win in the Run To The Rose. JMac sticks and seems convinced he can get the job done on her again.
Selections: 5-4-2-3
Suggested Bet: Kimochi Win
Race 7 – 1000M Concorde Stakes
To bet on the Strip or to not bet on the Strip? That is the question. He has looked back to his old self in the trials winning with a simple jog. But back at the races, is he still the same horse as he has been before? No, definitely not, but for the first time in a long time, he is coming in as the underdog and without an everest slot and he needs to make a statement here in order to be in any chance of getting one, so Waller will have him at his very best, otherwise, he wouldn’t be running. Nature Strip can just get the job done here in a tight one.
His draw, terrible, Eduardo will make sure to challenge Strip all the way and try and trap him wide, like he did in The Everest last year. He would be just the 2nd 10YO in a very long time to win a Group race, but if anyone would do it, it would certainly be old Eddy boy.
In Secret is the next generation and with the right draw, if she can sit right behind the pace, she could potentially give them windburn down the straight. Remarque should truck behind the pace as well. Both could be the next generation of Everest superstars and can make a statement against the old crop here.
Selections: 1-5-9-3
Suggested Bet: Nature Strip Win
Race 8 – 1600M Chelmsford Stakes
Think It Over ran excellently for his return, never looked like a winner, but also never got to close off properly when crowded by Zaaki. Race fitness under the belt now and up in distance, with a good draw he will be a massive player. However, the price is not one I am loving.
Hinged and Montefillia were closing off well and will appreciate the jump in distance all the same. Hinged wants it as wert as possible, Montefillia wants it dry, but Jmac would have had a choice of either and he has gone Montefillia, which means both he and Waller probably think is a better chance and she most likely gets the better set up here, so I will be with Monetefillia.
I think Major Beel will put in a spirited run if I am being honest. He probably needs it further, but he is very quick on his day and he could just break all of their hearts, the bookies would certainly love it. Undefeated 2nd up, can go in all wether types and has a win at the mile, so don’t be shocked if he wins.
Selections: 1-11-12-8
Suggested Bet: Montefillia Win
Race 9 – 1400M Tramway Stakes
Pericles looked fantastic winning strongly last start, if he comes here, he should be favourite and with good reason. I am not saying he is the next Anamoe, but he is full of talent and with the right race placings he can certainly be the next big star of the Cummings camp. I think he is a fantastic horse on his day and he seems very well placed here and Zac lloyd gets a good chance to win another group race.
Olentia the favourite looks very special, she is untapped and lightly raced and continues to rise through the grades with ease. Waller seems to think she is a special talent and I don’t blame him. However, I can’t entertain that price in such an open field.
Democracy Manfiest is overs in my opinion. I would having something on him for a place for sure. Perhaps he is too outclassed here for a win, but he’ll fly late and a place wouldn’t shock me. He isn’t ver ywell weighted, but he loves this track and if the track dries out, he can definitely find his way into the top 4.
My Oberon is the interesting one, Annabel Neasham is convinced he is a much better horse than he has shown so far in his Aussie stint. She say he is a mudlark, so if a wet deck gets produced, potentially we have to look towards him. But it’ more than likely going to be dry so I can’t be on him for a win, but a solid placing chance.
Selections: 4-15-16-2
Suggested Bet: Pericles Each Way
Race 10 – 1200M World Gym Castlereagh (Bm78)
Straight to the point, Garza Blanca for me, yes, favourite in the last is pretty boring, but he is the best horse in the race, I love the way he conducts business out on the track, he is simply, jump, sit amongst the pack, wait for his moment and pounce, he is intelligent like that. Last start, out run by Smashing Eagle who proceeded to run well without winning last weekend so I am happy to be on here. I think he is the good thing of the card.
Our Last Cash is a great value chance to be knocking off the favourite if you don’t want to dive into a favourite. Loves to run 2nd up, loves the distance and is in great form of late. Each way for sure.
Perielle and Time To Boogie round out selections, but I would be I am confident that either of the first 2 selections will be winning, especially the favourite.
Selections: 8-6-10-4
Suggested Bet: Garza Blanca Win (BEST BET)
Top Selections For The Card
Race 1: Different Strokes
Race 2: Wizard Of Oz
Race 3: Rainbiel
Race 4: Just Fine
Race 5: Serpentine
Race 6: Kimochi
Race 7: Nature Strip
Race 8: Montefilia
Race 9: Pericles
Race 10: Garza Blanca (BEST BET)
Quaddie
Race 7: 1,3,5,9
Race 8: 1,11,12
Race 9: 2,4,8,12,16
Race 10: 6,8
$50 gets you 41%
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