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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick and Doomben meetings on December 26 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK December 26

Best Bets

RACE 7 (3) STOCKMAN: The Summer Cup has been an obvious target race for this strong stayer who already has wins in the Listed McKell Cup (2000m) and Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on his CV. His three lead-ups in shorter races have been excellent with his second in the G3 Festival Stakes (1500m) and closing fourth in the G2 Villiers (1600m) having him primed for another peak performance. It's well known that he is at his best on affected tracks and with a Soft 6 rating on Friday and up to 10mm of rain forecast for Sunday he should have conditions to suit.

RACE 8 (7) TAMERLANE: Followed a strong trial with a super first-up second over 1200m at Rosehill on December 4 when his closing sectionals were among the best of the day. Has always promised to make open company and with his proven form over this course and distance this Benchmark class looks a perfect second up assignment. Expect him to go back from an awkward gate but Bowman has him worked out as he has ridden him in his last three races for a win and two placings.

RACE 9 (6) BLESK: A win and three unlucky seconds underline how well this honest gelding is going since he resumed in September. He has another wide draw to contend with but Bowman reunites and the significant gear change of blinkers back on are key factors in his favour. His late closing second to Brookspire carrying 58kg over this course and distance at his last start is the right form for this class.

For Value

RACE 2:  (3) Anethole

RACE 4: (1) Pecuniary Interest

RACE 10: (9) El Parmy

Selections

RACE 1: 11-3-18-9

RACE 2: 3-5-8-6

RACE 3: 4-7-8-5

RACE 4: 1-7-3-5

RACE 5: 1-8-10-6

RACE 6: 8-2-6-7

RACE 7: 3-9-7-1

RACE 8: 7-9-4-11

RACE 9: 6-8-2-5

RACE 10: 9-2-12-21

DOOMBEN December 26

RACE 2: (4) Kirkeby

RACE 5: (10) Palladas (Value)

RACE 9: (13) Ruuca (Value)

RACE 1: 3-6-1-5

RACE 2: 4-7-5-12

RACE 3: 5-6-2-1

RACE 4: 3-2-11-5

RACE 5: 10-2-3-12

RACE 6: 9-10-6-1

RACE 7: 7-4-1-3

RACE 8: 2-5-4-1

RACE 9: 13-14-6-2

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

RANDWICK SUNDAY: Russian Conquest (R1); Snitcat (R1); Steel Diamond (R6); Miss Baltimore (R6; Centimental (R6); Impasse (R8); Loveplanet (R8); Brown Thomas (R9)

DOOMBEN SUNDAY: Coolangatta (R6); Bright Blue Sky (R6); Roheryn (R8) 

NEWCASTLE SUNDAY: Starmoss (R2); You Like (R2); Costly (R3); King Adviso (R5); Tidal Creek (R5); Crime Spree (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Sherringford; Don't Doubt Katie; The Bopper; Elzamee; Written Doubt; Embeller; Starboreta; Nasturtium; Rise Of The Masses; Excelness; Celestial Spirit; Kanazawa; Starman; Black On Beauty; Rupertaar; Socialist; Derry Grove; Rule Of Law; Short Shorts; Athletica.

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM December 16: It was handlebars down from the jump by the unraced Animal Kingdom gelding KING ADVISO in his maiden heat over 1205m. Having his second trial, he opened up a big lead after 200m and Tyler Schiller kept him running at a good speed, resulting in the 3YO posting the fastest time in the four heats over the distance (72.17; 35.70). He won the trial by almost eight lengths in a big improvement on the way he performed in his first trial. Judgement reserved but it will be interesting to see how he performs on debut.

ROSEHILL December 14: Top NZ stable has shown plenty of confidence in Fastnet Rock filly BRIGHT BLUE SKY by bringing her straight to Australia off her debut win at Te Rapa last month. Really looked the part working to the line from the off the pace under a kind ride for an impressive third in her 900m heat (54.76; 34.85) that says she will measure up to the local youngsters. RUSSIAN CONQUEST finished second in the fastest 900m heat of the morning (54.29; 34.64) with strong work over the last 100m. This filly has certainly come on from her excellent debut win at Newcastle. In the three heats over 1030m the Waller-trained TIDAL CREEK, an unraced 3YO by Snitzel, clocked the fastest time (61.94; 34.92) as he cleared out to an easy 4.6 lengths win. He had been beaten by six lengths or more in six previous trials that gave no hint of this ability, so make of it what you will.

RANDWICK December 7: Gimcrack winner COOLANGATTA gave another display of her talent when she took on older maiden rivals in a heat for fillies and mares over 1050m. While her time (64.27; 34.37) was standard compared to other heats she was always in control under a kind ride from Tommy Berry. She sat third to the turn before cruising past the leaders and was then never off the leash to score by 0.58 lengths, a margin that flattered her rivals as she gave the impression she would have exploded away from them if asked for an effort.

CANTERBURY November 30: The fastest 900m heat (56.21; 36.10) saw the efforts of the Chris Waller stablemates CENTIMENTAL and LOVEPLANET take the eye.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – December 26

RANDWICK SUNDAY: Spaltet (R4); Zegalo (R5); Stockman (RF7); Attorney (R7); Tamerlane (R8); Loveplanet (R8); Remus (R10)

CAULFIELD SUNDAY: Curran (R8)

DOOMBEN SUNDAY: Dzsenifer (R4); Mass Destruction (R5); The Harrovian (R7); Baller (R8)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Coventina Bay; Five Kingdom; El Padrino; Totally Charmed; Brookspire; Bacchanalia; Our Heidi; Born A King; Mr Cancun; Ligulate; Spirit Of Gaylard; Superstorm; Vianello; Minhaaj; I'm Thunderstruck; Elusive Express; Montefilia; Belluci Babe; Shihonka.

Blackbookers – Selected December 18

(Follow for next 3 starts)

POETIC CHARMER: Like to see him get some weight relief.

PROFIT: Sure to come on from a strong first-up placing.

PURPLE SECTOR: Gave plenty after tough run. Stay with him.  

SPEED LEGEND: Not much went his way. Suited back in grade.

VAN GIZ: Excellent sectionals point to a coming win.