3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Randwick meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 – 11.00AM ACY SECURITIES HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
4. Dragonstone has done nothing but impress in his two starts so far. Stalked the speed and powered away to win on a heavy track at Warwick Farm and while that was at midweek level that's where a lot of the form in this race is coming from. He'll relish a wet track if the rain arrives and has shown he can be strong at the finish. There's no reason he can't repeat the dose.
Dangers: 9. Sir Crackle is also accepted at Hawkesbury on Sunday but if he lines up here he's a very interesting debutant. He's won three trials, the last two by big spaces on heavy tracks in the past month. Looks a real on pacer and bears close watching, especially if there's support. 10. Sky Command had plenty of support as she led all the way on debut at Warwick Farm, in slightly slower time than Dragonstone. She put a margin on them in that win and has to be respected. 8. Governor is a nicely bred colt on debut for the Hawkes stable and if he takes his place he'll create a bit of interest. Looked to get through the ground fairly to win his Canterbury trial on a heavy track.
How to play it: Dragonstone WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 - 11:35AM RANVET HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
9. Allinthistogether is another lightly raced galloper from the Mark Newnham yard and she's coming off a dominant maiden win at Gosford on a heavy track. Her debut was in quite a good form race and she was strong late there, while coming back 100m the bigger track will be right up her alley and if they overdo it up front she'll be charging over the top.
Dangers: 2. Major Artie should be a big improver on what he showed first-up where he stumbled out of the gates and tailed out. He did manage to beat one home and produced some very handy sectionals so the run was a bit better than it looks on paper. Usually races on the pace. 1. Kobe Rocks stuck to the task pretty well at Rosehill last start in a similar race though is likely to strike a heavy track here which he tends to like. He'll run his usual honest race. 3. Go Troppo is an up and comer enjoying a solid prep, freshened up into his easy Newcastle win at his first run doe the Dunn yard. Could easily measure up.
How to play it: Allinthistogether E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 12.10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
An eye on scratchings here with 19. Cavalier Charles the horse to beat if he gains a start. He was excellent at Nowra two runs back before bumping into a handy one in Catanzaro on a heavy at Rosehill. He should relish a return to 1400m and James McDonald staying on is encouraging.
Dangers: 18. Dream Runner was just getting warm at the end of 1300m at Moruya when resuming from almost a year off the scene. Big effort to go down narrowly and he was sound in his only Highway run last prep. No surprise to see him win. 1. Casino Kid had no right to win as easily as he did here a month ago on a soft 7, he was chopped out at a crucial stage but recovered and dashed away. Goes up 3kg but only has to hold form to be a threat. 6. Birdonawinningpost can run a cheeky race fresh at this trip after a nice easy trial.
How to play it: Cavalier Charles WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 12.45PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Maddi Rocks is a huge query first-up in a race that's very much up for grabs. She's now with John O'Shea and there's intent with blinkers on first time first-up. Cruised along nicely in her first trial then given an easy time in her second. She has fired fresh in the past and so long as it's not too heavy she should run well. Big market watch.
Dangers: 1. Dunbrody Power was far from disgraced when resuming behind Madam Legend two weeks ago and she's the type a small field will suit as she has a big finish on her. Keep in mind. 7. Van Giz drops 4kg on her closing second at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. She was a shade slow early there so gave away a decent start. Handles the wet well and should be thereabouts. 4. De Grawin could lead and win this on her best form but wondering whether she is back at her best. Better effort behind Malkovich second-up and the blinkers go on for the first time since joining the Pride stable. Take on trust.
How to play it: Maddi Rocks WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 1.20PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
3. Harpo Marx has put the writing on the wall with his two runs back from a spell and he now reaches 2000m which is right in his comfort zone, especially on a wet track. He will get back in the field to a degree so it may not be an easy watch but if he's within striking range on the turn the way he's found the line in his two runs over shorter suggest he will be able to run them down.
Dangers: 2. Criminal Code caught the eye first-up at this track then sat wide throughout at Rosehill and not surprisingly faded. Have to forgive that run and he looks the danger. 6. Monsieur Sisu is the likely leader and if he's allowed to dictate on a wet track he can be hard to run down. A little disappointing last start when they came off the fence, previous efforts say he's an each-way hope. 13. Savvy Legend is up in class but he was a bit stiff not to go close at Canterbury when fourth behind Mr Gee. Handles the wet well, down in weight and has a case.
How to play it: Harpo Marx WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 - 1:55PM GEOHEX SPRINT (1100 METRES)
1. Lancaster Bomber is a very honest sprinter and he's a good wet tracker. Resumed with a pleasing third in a strong form race won by Malkovich at this track a month ago. He has a nice weight turnaround on the runner-up from that race and has won three from five second-up. He'll run his usual competitive race.
Dangers: 3. Hulk is a bit of a heartbreaker as while he has a big finish on him he's often held up for runs and flashing at them late. Draws out this time which may be an advantage, he may be able to make his run when James McDonald wants. Logical danger. 9. Destination drew wide and stayed wide throughout when he resumed, in the same race as Hulk, two weeks ago and he wasn't disgraced at all to be beaten three lengths. Can feature. 2. The Bopper was a bit below par last prep but is a Listed winner at Randwick and there was enough in his second trial to say he'll run very well fresh.
How to play it: Lancaster Bomber E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 – 2.35PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
4. Royal Banquet looks ready to win after two runs back in stronger company and the blinkers going on could be key. He held his ground okay in a very strong form race at Rosehill last time, finishing ahead of a couple of subsequent winners, and he is proven on heavy ground. Even with the replacement jockey he's well in under the Midway restrictions compared to that BM78 so there should be no excuses.
Dangers: 8. Gemmahra is also coming back in class and she has been racing well on wet tracks since the Provincial Championships Final. Will push forward from a wide gate and if she gets control can be hard to run down. 13. Bazooka backs up, if he gains a start, after getting very close to Tycoonist last week at Rosehill. Only won one from 18 so that's a concern but this class suits. 5. Cuban Royale is another coming back from a BM78 and he hit the line okay behind Madam Legend and Hulk. If he backs that effort up he's right in this.
How to play it: Royal Banquet WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 – 3.15PM DRINKWISE WINTER STAKES (1400 METRES)
6. Rubisaki is unbeaten in Sydney and on a heavy track, in fact any time she strikes a bit of give in the ground she really fires. Her two recent runs at Flemington have said she's close to another win and was run down in the latest of those after doing some ducking and weaving back to the fence. If it becomes a wet track test she has the best credentials. Read trainer Patrick Payne's comments here.
Dangers: 7. Tricky Gal gets a massive weight turnaround for her fast closing second in the Civic Stakes and she's also adept on soft to heavy ground. She'll be around the mark again and more than capable of winning. 1. Bandersnatch was very well ridden and controlled the Civic Stakes as he held on to win. He'll do his usual thing up there on the speed and while he's up 4kg he's hard to leave out. 9. Ziegfeld is an interesting runner. He was well fancied at his Australian debut back in February and performed fairly. Looked good in his second trial back on a heavy track and could surprise and 3. Countofmontecristo caught the eye first-up, he should appreciate getting out to 1400m and has a case.
How to play it: Rubisaki WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 9 – 3.55PM HEINEKEN HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
12. Madam Legend was explosive in winning first-up from a break at Rosehill two weeks ago. She's always shown plenty of talent and if she can hold that form she will be hard to beat again. Is a heavy track winner, drops in weight after the claim and is versatile.
Dangers: 5. I Am Power hasn't raced for seven weeks since a gutsy win at Rosehill where he chased a solid speed and prevailed. Not exposed on a heavy track but everything else says he's a major player. 13. Handspun didn't seem to come up in two runs in the summer but her form on wet tracks last winter was honest and would have her ion the mix. Fitter for a couple of trials and if there's any support she can feature. 2. Frosty Rocks is a good front running wet tracker resuming with a couple of trial wins under his belt. If he can find the front at 1200m he could take running down.
How to play it: Madam Legend WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 10 – 4.30PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
9. Off Shaw ran right up to his handy first-up effort when run down by his stablemate at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. He's 1.5kg better off and should be able to roll forward onto the speed. Three of his four wins are on heavy and this should be just about a peak performance.
Dangers: 5. Matowatakpe was the horse to run down Off Shaw and that win backed up what he'd shown in his first two runs back. No reason he can't hold his form and be a threat again. 4. Blondeau hasn't been able to replicate his dominant first-up win but in three subsequent starts has run on to get reasonably close at the finish. If he's within reach on the turn he's still a threat. 7. Katalin was super impressive first-up from a long break then a month between runs onto a heavy track she wasn't quite as effective. Better for that and entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Off Shaw E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.