3 minute read
Racing And Sports form analyst Simon Thomas provides his race-by-race Randwick preview, thanks to tab.com.au
Racing And Sports form analyst Simon Thomas provides his race-by-race Randwick preview, thanks to tab.com.au
Royal Randwick plays host to this Saturday's meeting where we see a strong ten-race card with some promising types engaged.
Hoping to get the money early in the day with a smart two-year-old filly who could be Queensland bound and a progressive colt who won't be in Midway grade for too much longer. Read on for our preview of the full ten-race card, thanks to tab.com.au.
RACE 1 – 11.10am: Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Handicap (1200m)
Rag Queen (2) above average filly resuming. Weaved between runners late to finish an unlucky third in the LR Millennium over 1100m here on February 10. Since fitted with a solid 1030m trial placing and desperate for this trip and further now. Can easily finish over the top of these. Pisces (1) has race fitness and experience on his side third-up today. Much better effort at latest when let down well to score a comfortable win over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Jumps 2kg in weight for this and will need luck from the gate. Stays in the mix. Swiftfalcon (7) beaten for early speed on debut before charging late with an eye catching fifth over 1100m at Rosehill on April 27. Well drawn again and the winkers go on today. Has genuine winning prospects. Mellifluent (4) resumes after starting a firm fav on debut when a solid nose winner at Canterbury over 1100m on February 2. Since fitted with two trials and not to be underestimated.
Tip: Backing Rag Queen to win at $4.80 with tab.com.au
RACE 2 – 11.35am: Midway BM72 Handicap (1400m)
Navy Blood (1) progressive colt destined for better things. Sprinted well fresh in the heavy (9) going when a dominant 2.5 len winner over 1200m at Newcastle as favourite in this class on May 11. Fitter now and better suited out to the 1400m. Can carry the extra weight and win again. Sumo Star (10) only the one win from 20 starts and due for a change of luck. Sat on the speed with the 52kg and given every chance when second over 1200m at Newcastle at latest. Placed this trip and expected to take a hand in the finish again. Putt For Dough (4) holding his form well this time in and total forgive at latest after getting out late when seventh over 1500m at Hawkesbury on May 4. This looks easier and has good figures this course and trip. November Falls (11) two runs back have been encouraging and down sharply in weight here after finishing fourth over 1300m at Warwick Farm on May 8. King keeps the ride and can sneak into the minor money.
Tip: Backing Navy Blood to win at $2.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 3 – 12.10pm: TAB Highway Class 3 (1200m)
Orient's Secret (3) handy gelding from the Matt Dunn yard with solid second-up figures. Drifted back on settling when resumed with a barnstorming second over 1200m at Ipswich on May 1. Both wins have come at this trip and will relish the strong early tempo. Hard to hold out. Ramones (2) racing in career best form and will appreciate the 3kg claim. Tough run from the wide gate in the heavy (9) going when second over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Can get across from the wide gate and take catching. Miss Jennifer (8) tough mare who made a mess of her rivals on resumption when a slick 3.5 len victory over 1000m at Goulburn on May 7. Clearly come back well and looks set for a good prep. Down sharply in weight and senior rider engaged. Keeps safe. Tanglewood (1) plagued by bad barriers all prep yet keeps raising the bar. Pounced late after covering ground when getting up in a tight finish over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Jumps in weight again and the blinkers go on. Stays in the mix.
Tip: Backing Orient's Secret to win at $5.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 4 – 12.45pm: PF Civil BM78 Handicap (2400m)
Quantum Cat (4) impressed in both Australian starts and sent north for this third-up. Attacked the line late with an impressive second over 2000m at Caulfield on May 11. Close to his top now and won over 2500m in the UK last prep. Will prove hard to stop. Funambulist (9) at his peak now and the firmer deck will help today after holding on well to secure third over 2200m at Newcastle on May 11. Gibbons sticks and the 2400m suits. Casual Connection (8) two of his four wins have come at this trip and down sharply in weight with the 3kg claim. Looks great each way value and has the figures to take this out. Keep safe. Awesome Wonder (7) returns off a 30-day let-up after finishing in the minor money at her last two runs. Drops 2.5kg here and since fitted with a 1200m tick over trial. Map suits and expected to take a hand in the finish.
Tip: Backing Quantum Cat to win at $2.60 with tab.com.au
RACE 5 – 1.20pm: St George Leagues Club BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Group 3 winner Konasana (4) is a talented filly who will relish the class drop from the good gate. Comes out of a strong race when a disappointing 10th over 1400m in the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas on May 4. Saves her best for the Randwick track and expected to bounce back sharply. Multiple Group 3 placegetter French Endeavour (5) has been plagued by bad luck all prep and this is the easiest contest she has raced in for some time. Can get cover from the wide draw and feature strongly. Captain Amelia (11) underrated filly who looks set to peak third-up. Raced in much stronger company last time in and gets a nice weight drop here. Look for her charging late. Group 3 placegetter Anagain (12) is a hard fit mare who ticks a lot of boxes today at a great each way quote. Never comfortable in the heavy (9) going when a close-up fourth over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Can stalk the speed and surprise a few of these.
Tip: Backing Konasana to win at $5.00 with tab.com.au
RACE 6 – 1.55pm: Wilson Asset Management BM72 Handicap (1800m)
It's A Wonder (14) well-bred Dundeel filly who was a tragedy beaten when came from last on the turn for a narrow third over 1600m in the Wagga Guineas on May 3. Extra trip suits and should be able to race a little closer here. Will be tough to hold out. Invincible Spy (2) tough colt with the three wins from five starts. Relished the extra distance second-up when a gritty on pace winner of the Wagga Guineas over 1600m on May 3. Up slightly in weight and has the upside to figure prominently again. Bright Red (9) talented filly plagued by wet tracks this time in. Total forgive when failed to stretch out in the heavy (10) going finishing eighth over 1800m at the Gold Coast Bracelet held at the Sunshine Coast on May 11. Can bounce back to form here. Socks Nation (6) is a smart filly who will appreciate the drop-in class after finishing fourth over 1600m in the V/Sires Guineas at Caulfield on April 27. Trip won't be a problem and not to be underestimated. The chances don't end there!
Tip: Backing It's A Wonder to win at $7.00 with tab.com.au
RACE 7 – 2.30pm: Taylor Construction BM78 Handicap (1000m)
The Black Cloud (14) smart filly resuming after a four-month break from the Pride yard. Went quickly through her grades in three runs last time in and finds the right race to kick off today. Since fitted with two sound trials and can stalk the good speed and take this out on the limit weight. Passeggiata (11) speedy mare who gave her all first-up in the heavy (9) going when a tiring second over 900m at Newcastle on May 11. Has a good record here and expected to take plenty of catching. Testator Silens (3) handy gelding undefeated over this trip with an excellent fresh record. Fitted with two quiet trials and gets weight relief with the 2kg claim. Has the ability to finish over the top of these at good odds. Mogo Magic (7) classy Goulburn-trained gelding resuming after disappointing when a fading 10th here in the Kosciuszko over 1200m last October. Has excellent fresh figures and just needs luck from the sticky draw.
Tip: Backing The Black Cloud to win at $3.60 with tab.com.au
RACE 8 – 3.05pm: Fujitsu Airstage BM94 Handicap (1600m)
Iknowastar (5) three runs back have been excellent and five of his wins have come over this trip. Went out hard when never comfortable in the heavy (9) going finishing a creditable third over 1600m in the Coast at Newcastle on May 11. No excuses today on the firmer deck. Hard to hold out. Ruby Flyer (14) has a sound record over the mile and will relish the big weight drop here. Charged late with the 60kg when second over 1500m at Rosehill in easier company at latest. Placed in the Rowley Mile last prep and drawn to get the right run fourth-up. Value play. Group 3 winner Rise Of The Masses (10) returned in good order when a narrow winner over 1400m at Hawkesbury on May 4. Fall For Cindy has since franked the form and expected to be one of the leading players. Miracle Spin (16) races well here and fitter now after powering late when seventh over 1400m at Hawkesbury on May 4. The 1600m suits with the genuine tempo expected.
Tip: Backing Iknowastar to win at $5.00 with tab.com.au
RACE 9 – 3.45pm: PF Civil Equipment BM88 Handicap (2000m)
Kureder (12) showed staying potential last time in and looks set to peak fourth up. Powered late with the 59kg when a slashing third over 1800m at Hawkesbury on May 4. Will appreciate the Randwick track and look for him late. Speycaster (7) building a nice win record as he keeps raising the bar, chasing his third-straight win. Saved up for one last crack at them when a tenacious 0.7 len winner over 2200m at Newcastle on May 11. Handles all conditions and up to this. Political Debate (2) stalked the speed and looked the winner 250m out before being swamped late by Fawkner Park when second in the LR Wagga Cup over 2000m on May 3. This easier and stays in the mix. Golden Path (6) Victorian-trained gelding who stretches out to the 2000m for the first time today. Stuck on well in the conditions when fifth over 1600m in The Coast at Newcastle on May 11. Can run into the minor money.
Tip: Backing Kureder to win at $6.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 10 –4.25pm: Supporterhub BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Nails Murphy (16) progressive gelding who resumed in good order with the 61.5kg when a tough third over 1400m at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Goes just as well second-up and can stalk the solid speed from the good gate. Capable of taking this out. Starman (10) frustrating gelding who gives the indication the 1400m will suit. Ran on late again with the 59kg when a narrow second over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Firmer track helps from the good gate again. No excuses here. Silent Impact (8) returned from a lengthy break with a tough on pace second over 1300m at Rosehill on April 27. Second-up record is just as strong and has the speed to get across from the wide gate. Has solid top-three claims. Kokoro (17) returned from a let-up with a barnstorming long neck winner over the 1400m at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Races best with his runs spaced and will appreciate the genuine tempo anticipated.
Tip: Backing Nails Murphy to win at $7.50 with tab.com.au
RANDWICK BEST BETS
Best of the Day: Race 2 # Navy Blood at $2.50 with tab.com.au*
Value play: Race 1 # Rag Queen at $4.80 with tab.com.au*
*All odds correct at 3.30 pm, 23/5/24
