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Chris Scholtz previews the Villiers Stakes meeting at Randwick with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports for racing on December 15.
RANDWICK December 15
RACE 9: (9) Regent
RACE 2 (6) DEPRIVE: Expecting this promising 4YO to have come on from his first-up third over 1000m at Warwick Farm on November 28 when he struck a heavy track for the first time. Had strong form around him in his first four starts last season up to 1300m that included subsequent Group performers and certain to be more comfortable over this distance. The prospect of an affected track should not be a concern as he handled the wet conditions well when resuming.
RACE 7 (10) SAMBRO: Can find ample reasons to fancy the Villiers chances of this honest Chris Waller-trained 4YO at attractive double figure odds when you consider he has missed a place only once in six starts at Randwick and his excellent 1600m form includes a win on a heavy track in the G2 Queensland Guineas (after winning the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas at 1400m) and a close second to Derby winner Levendi in the G3 Carbine Club at Flemington. He won the Queensland Guineas of a six weeks freshen and gets a similar prep for this with the benefit of two easy trials since his last start second over 1400m at this course under 57kg seven weeks ago.
RACE 1: 4-5-9-8
RACE 2: 6-8-13-2RACE 3: 4-6-3-5
RACE 4: 2-3-1-4RACE 5: 5-3-7-1
RACE 6: 3-9-6-8RACE 7: 10-13-14-9
RACE 8: 15-16-7-12RACE 9: 9-3-4-13
TRIFECTA Race 2 – BOX 2-3-6-7-8-13
FIRST 4 Race 3: 4-6/3-4-5-6-8/3-4-5-6-8-9-11-13/FieldQUADDIE – 3-6-9/5-9-10-11-12-13-14/7-12-15-16/2-3-4-9-13
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
Noted trial horses engaged on December 15/16RANDWICK SATURDAY: Military Zone (R2) Seasons (R3); Alassio (R3): Aeecee Vinco (R5); Enforcement (R5); Sambro (R7); So You Win (R8).
SEASONS (Hawkesbury December 7): The very progressive SEASONS settled sweetly two lengths back in fourth before surging in the last 80 metres to be beaten three quarters of a length with Tim Clark sitting unmoved as she ran through the line in great style. This was a tick over trial for this mare after her last start Rosehill win and showed that she is in the right form to win again.KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Hightail (R1); Vulpes (R1); Howra (R1); Mistress Mouse (R1); Paris (R1)
HIGHTAIL (Hawkesbury December 7): Impressed in the quickest of the 2YO heats (44.73) with an eye catching third. He’s a member of the Snowden team who looks to have come on well since his first trial in September.DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Lubuk (R4); Chess Star (R8)
HAWKESBURY SUNDAY: I’m A Legend (R4); Bad Boy For Love (R4); Schnapps (R4).RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Ljungberg; Ninamos; Lancaster Bomber; Unite And Conquer; The Runner; Wonderbabe; Mornay; Skagerrak; Sizzled; Alternative Facts; Kapajack; Athiri; On The Top; Samadoubt; Enjoy Elsie; Regent; Re Edit; Snippetspeed; Demerara; Tassort; Czarson; Hostwin Saturn
>BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS - December 14/15RANDWICK SATURDAY: Charlayne (R3); Wall Of Fire (R4); My Favorite (R6); Pelethronius (R8); Berdibek (R9); Gresham (R9)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Etymology (R3); Invincible Al (R7); True Excelsior (R9)DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Bluebrook (R3); Axella (R3)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Axella (R8)RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Miss Norway; Our Crown Mistress; My Nordic Hero; Kentucky Breeze; Firsthand; Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche; Shillelagh; Newsfan; Royal Celebration; Verry Elleegant; Ranier; Street Tough; Savacool; Ringerdingding; Sesar