3 minute read
The Five Diamonds headlines racing at Randwick on Saturday.
Tricky day of betting but the feature looks Antino's race to lose. He's clearly coming through the best races and brings far superior ratings into this. He looked to hit the front and was only edged out in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) two back before having no luck whatsoever behind Prowess at The Valley.
The small query is that he's now run to 118 at his past five starts, perhaps suggesting he's hit his mark, but in two of them he's had no luck at all and should've won, and at Sandown his sectionals were very strong, suggesting further improvement.
The good news is that 118 rates fairly well clear of the dangers. The Five Diamonds Prelude over 1500m was won by Palmetto running to 112 in a very bunched finish in slow time. It looks very shaky and nothing of the strength that Antino brings.
He steps up to 1800m for the first time which I think he's been looking for- he'll get 2000m and potentially even further in the future. He's also raced clockwise in Queensland plenty of times, he will just need a tiny bit of luck in the straight, but if he runs to his 118 he looks a very good chance of winning, and it wouldn't surprise if he's able to improve on that number up in trip with some luck for a change.
Struggled to find one at odds this week but the other horse that I think is fully deserving of favouritism is Gringotts in Race 9. He got the win he needed last start and really had to knuckle down late after being awkwardly placed and getting clear air at the 200m mark.
His final 200m was the third fastest of the entire meeting, albeit off a slow tempo, but he looks to get a fairly easy map here and should be able to just tuck in the 1-1. Atmosphere was better last start but I'm convinced he isn't very good and Mars Mission was better last start but would need to improve again and the map from barrier one off a slow tempo looks very sticky.
You'll probably get $2.50+ for Gringotts when the market tightens up and that looks fair, with bet365 already offering a market leading $2.40.
bet365 SYDNEY SPECIALS
Bet of the day: Race 8 #3 Antino @ $2.90 with bet365*
Also backing: Race 9 #1 Gringotts @ $2.40 with bet365*
*Odds correct at 1:10pm, 9/11/23
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