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Chris Scholtz previews the Randwick and Flemington meetings on February 29 with selections for all races plus Blackbook and Trial Watch Reports.
RANDWICK February 29
RACE 2: (2) Stella Pauline
RACE 3: (3) Postcode (EW)
RACE 4: (10) Vegadaze (EW)
RACE 5: (1) Reelem In Ruby (EW)
RACE 6: (1) Flit
RACE 1: 9-1-15-12
RACE 2: 2-8-7-1
RACE 3: 3-1-8-2
RACE 4: 10-5-2-4
RACE 5: 1-4-6-9
RACE 6: 1-2-5-4
RACE 7: 4-5-3-2
RACE 8: 8-3-10-6
RACE 9: 5-8-1-6
RACE 2 (3) STELLA PAULINE: Rates as the best of the maiden 2YO fillies after her run of three placings including her last start second in the Magic Millions Classic where she never shirked it after a tough wide run. This is her perfect opportunity to record her first win and secure a Golden Slipper start as she is back to her home track against her own sex with the benefit of an impressive Randwick trial win on February 17. Should settle on the back of a fast pace and prove too strong late.
RACE 5 (1) REELEM IN RUBY: Her first-up performance behind Sweet Deal in the Triscay Stakes over 1200m at this course two weeks ago was a complete forgive run as she was given a negative ride to overcome a wide draw, losing sight of the bunny in the first 600m to be some 20 lengths from the leaders. She was beaten just under six lengths but should have been much closer as she ran in to traffic and was barely extended over the last 400m. She can bounce back here as she meets every one of her rivals from that race on slightly better weight terms and with a key riding change from a better draw expect her to settle closer over this more suitable extra trip.
RACE 6 (1) FLIT: Thousand Guineas winner made a super return in the Light Fingers Stakes over 1200m at this course two weeks ago when she responded brilliantly to the addition of blinkers to lead home a Godolphin trifecta in a high class field. It was a dominant performance as she raced closer than expected and stamped her authority with a powerful last 200m to win by almost two lengths from a pair of G1 winners. She should have those rivals well covered again at level weights with her race fitness giving her that vital edge over those resuming.
FLEMINGTON February 29
RACE 3: (6) Unstoppabelle (EW)
RACE 7: (7) Chenier (EW)
RACE 8: (2) Fifty Stars
RACE 9: (11) Big Night Out (EW)
RACE 1: 4-2-3-1
RACE 2: 2-4-3-5
RACE 3: 6-3-4-8
RACE 4: 2-5-6-7
RACE 5: 7-1-4-6
RACE 6: 4-6-7-8
RACE 7: 1-4-7-3
RACE 8: 2-3-4-9
RACE 9:11-7-5-3
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – February 29
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Stellar Pauline (R2); Postcode (R3); Argenteus (R3); Mamaragan (R3); Imaging (R4); Quackerjack (R4); Rock (R4); Lanciato (R4); I Am Superman (R4); Probabeel (R6); Heart Of The Oak (R6); Saas Fee (R6); Aspect Ratio (R6); Fierce Impact (R7); Ilwendo (R8); Yamakazi (R9); Trumbull (R9).
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Tempel One (R1); Brabham (R3); Chosen Prince (R7); Oakfield Missile (R8); Stella Sea Sun (R8).
RANDWICK February 17 – Solid 1000m heat for the Group and Listed horses on the course proper with CON TE PARTIRO – back from a visit to stud - taking the honours. Villiers winner QUACKERJACK finished second under an easy ride while top class Kiwi filly PROBABEEL worked to the line strongly with her last 100m a feature.
STELLAR PAULINE (Randwick February 17): Magic Millions runner-up showed her class to cruise to a soft win in her 742m heat in the second fastest of the 2YO trials (43.93; 33.30). She will be a player in the good races.
POSTCODE (Randwick February 17): Breeders Plate placegetter could be the best maiden among the tried 2YOs. Showed positive improvement from his trial second to Mamaragan on February 6, this time tracking very wide from the 600m in his 742m heat but still having his rivals well covered and forging clear for an easy two lengths win. Could have gone much quicker than his 44.00 (33.40).
ARGENTEUS (Randwick February 17): Team Snowden keeps rolling out impressive 2YOs. It has taken him three trials to get his act together but this high priced Written Tycoon colt really has a future judging by the way he trucked through his 1050m heat for very strong win in good time (62.87; 34.80).
MAMARAGAN (Randwick February 17): Unraced Wandjina colt backed up his sharp Randwick trial win on February 6 with another stylish display to win his 742m heat by a soft margin. Time wasn't exceptional (44.27; 33.80) but he did it in style with plenty in hand.
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Dubai Star; Intrepidacious; Daphne Jean; Mo's Crown; Kumasi; Greysful Glamour; Farnan; Savatiano; Greyworm; Bovalino; Secretively; Barbaric; Icebath; Sweet Deal; Harmonium; God Of Thunder; Pinvincible; Frozen In Time; Anaheed; Sylvia's Mother; Covert Ops; Black Magnum; Kaakit Akit; Roheryn.
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BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 29-March 1
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Postcode (R3); El Dorado Dreaming (R4); Reelem In Ruby (R5); Con Te Partiro (R5); Pohutukawa (R5); Dawn Dawn (R5); Missile Mantra (R6); Fierce Impact (R7); Costello (R8); Royal Celebration (R9)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: River Night (R3); Unstoppabelle (R3); Dalasan (R7); Chenier (R7); Fifty Stars (R8); Admiral's Joker (R8)
MUDGEE SUNDAY: Ave (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Fabulonh; Naval Strike; Oxford Tycoon; Cyber Intervention; Gytrash; Gaulois; Microphone; Impasse; Just Benjamin; Raqeeq; Lord Von Costa; High Bridge; Cellsabeel; Boomtown Rat; Primitivo; Invincibella; Chat; Probabeel.
Blackbook Horses to follow – Selected February 22
(Selected horses be followed at next three starts)
CASTELVECCHIO: Top shelf. Set for the classics.
SUBPOENAED: Huge effort under the conditions.
HALVORSEN: Live Newmarket chance with light weight.
MIRAGE DANCER: Big show in anything from 2000m-3200m.
ANJANA: Caught the eye first-up in a hot field.
SPANISH REEF: Ready for any good mares race.