3 minute read

Chris Scholtz previews the Randwick meeting on July 17 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK July 17

Best Bets

RACE 4: (8) La Chevalee

RACE 7: (7) Great House

RACE 8: (11) Blondeau (EW)

RACE 9: (13) Eight Diamonds (EW)

For Value

RACE 3: (8) Super Effort

RACE 6: (5) Get The Idea

RACE 1: 2-6-3-1

RACE 2: 18-2-10-12

RACE 3: 8-4-1-12

RACE 4: 8-3-1-5

RACE 5: 4-3-11-10

RACE 6: 5-6-4-8

RACE 7: 7-8-1-9

RACE 8: 11-4-6-5

RACE 9: 13-14-1-9

RACE 10: 8-9-1-12

RANDWICK MULTI

RACE 4 (8) LA CHEVALEE: Well placed to record her first Sydney win after two luckless efforts on slow and heavy tracks since her switch from Melbourne. Should have won over 1600m at this course two starts back and then a wide draw negated her chances last time over 1500m at Rosehill. She's obviously looking for this longer distance and is favourably treated down 1.5 kg off her last run. Should get every chance from the rails draw with the significant riding switch to James McDonald.

RACE 7 (7) GREAT HOUSE: Promising stayer resumed with a game win over 1500m before jumping quickly to 1800m second up when a close third in this class at Rosehill on June 26. Came off the bit too early last time when forced to chase the leaders on a heavy track and sure to be fitter for that run. Map points to him enjoying a good run behind a strong pace and he should respond well to the return of Tommy Berry (2 wins from four rides) as his rider.

RACE 8 (11) BLONDEAU: He's been costly in three starts since his stunning first-up win at Gosford but I'm sticking with him - perhaps for the last time - as he gets Tommy Berry back as his rider and will get a favourable passage from a soft draw that will give him the opportunity to exploit a big weight drop of 4.5kg from his last start over 1400m at Rosehill. Wider gates have played against him in recent starts and that's the key as he races best when he can be held up with cover.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Trial Runners July 17-20

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Diamonds'n'Stones (R3); Surf Dancer (R8); Kordia (R8); I Am Power (R10); Miss Dior (R10)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Spaceboy (R7)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Catesby (R2)

GOULBURN SATURDAY: Ideel Girl (R3); Shaolin Temple (R4); Cobia (R8)

SCONE SUNDAY: Don't Recall (R3); Turning (R4)

NOWRA MONDAY: Shaolin Temple (R3)

WYONG TUESDAY: Don't Recall (R1); Hauraki Gulf (R5); Governor (R5); Vindication (R5); Aztec (R5); Rapid Response (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Larkspur Run; Full Coverage; Concocted; Perlant; King Of Sparta; Formeinaway; Rupertaar; Madam Legend; Rubinocchi; Minsk Moment; Eight Diamonds; Lake Kastoria; Syzgy Stars; Stonesthrow; Huesca.

TRIAL POINTERS

RANDWICK July 9: The fastest 1050m trial was the maiden heat won by SHAOLIN TEMPLE (64.53; 36.31) by more than four lengths. It was a stylish effort but this was his best result in four trials since February.

GOSFORD July 6: Honest sprinter CATESBY recorded a strong open company heat win over 1000m (62.46; 37.93) in good style.

CANTERBURY July 2:  The import SURF DANCER has been well prepared for his Australian debut with two trials. The three-time UK winner won his open company heat over 1100m in good time for the conditions (70.25; 36.94). The pacy SPACEBOY worked well within himself for a placing in his heat with Kathy O'Hara intent on giving him an easy trial. Another good heat winner was the unraced I Am Invincible colt GOVERNOR, who had taken the eye with a strong finish in his first synthetic trial at Warwick Farm. This time he was a lot sharper, taking up the lead and having no trouble holding his rivals in his 895m heat (57.90; 39) for a soft win.

WARWICK FARM June 25: The Hawkes stable have some likely 2YO types in VINDICATION and GOVERNOR after they finished first and third in the fastest heat over 740m (43.08; 33.09).Deep Field youngster VINDICATION was having his first trial and looked well educated as he extended nicely over the last 300m to win with authority. GOVERNOR, an I Am Invincible also having his first trial, showed no early speed but made up good ground under a quiet ride and was strong through the line.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – July 17

RANDWICK Saturday: Amoretti (R4); La Chevalee (R4); Criminal Code (R5); Just Field (R6); Great House (R7); Blondeau (R8); Steel Diamond (R9)

FLEMINGTON Saturday: Aktolgali 9R1); Furrion (R4); Django Freeman (R6); Hi Stranger (R6); Fundraiser (R6); Baglioni (R9)

Blackbookers – Selected July 10

(Follow for next 3 starts)

ASHIM: Tried hard in tough conditions.

ZIEGFELD: Easy to forgive his first-up effort.

GRINZINGER ALLEE: Sure to appreciate longer trips.

ZIEMBA: Worth following in the Brisbane classes.

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Our Playboy; Harpo Marx; Montez; Tycoonist; Matowatakpe; Royal Crown; Garoppolo; Zing; The Astrologist; Stockman; Tofane; Opacity; Lunar Flare.