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Chris Scholtz previews the Inglis Millennium meeting at Randwick on February 5 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK – February 5

Best Bet

RACE 9 (13) SILENT IMPACT: Added to his growing reputation when he finished hard to win first-up over 1100m at this course in a BM72 on January 22, the merit in his performance being his fast last 400m under 57kg. This BM 78 reads as an ideal next step towards bigger targets as he is well placed dropping 2kg and will obviously be more comfortable over 1200m. His inside draw should see him well placed on the back of the expected fast pace.

For Value

RACE 6 (6) BOLDINHO: Barriers are all important in high pressure 2YO races with big fields and for that reason this youngster will get a lot of favours from his good gate with Hugh Bowman on board. Has had excuses in both race starts at Caulfield and Randwick. Set for this after his luckless fourth at this course in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) in December and top stable has him well tuned after his strong trial at Warwick Farm on January 20.

RACE 8 (11) RANCH HAND: Joins the favourite PAULELE as dual acceptors who have passed up an easier race in Melbourne for this high class opener to their autumn campaigns. While the favourite is a Randwick specialist this classy 3YO rates highly under these conditions, noting he beat a strong Listed field first-up over 1100m at Flemington in the spring before holding his own in G1 company at Flemington where he had the better of Paulele and last week's G2 winner Overpass. Has impressed in his two preparatory trials and with McDonald on board it's clear the Waller stable have him set to perform first-up.

Selections

RACE 1: 9-3-10-5

RACE 2: 9-3-7-5

RACE 3: 9-5-8-12

RACE 4: 6-3-4-1

RACE 5: 5-4-8-6

RACE 6: 6-3-14-1

RACE 7: 10-7-11-5

RACE 8: 11-4-2-3

RACE 9: 13-10-6-5

RACE 10: 12-8-9-4

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Boyfriend (R1); Tragara (R1); Kallos (R4); Through Irish Eyes (R5); Yardstick (R5); Sejardan (R6); Boldinho (R6); El Padrino (R6); Xtravagant Star (R6); Calgary Stampede (R6); Zambezi River (R6); Converge (R8); Paulele (R8); Hilal (R8); Mana Nui (R8); Ranch Hand (R8); Maotai (R9); Rustic Steel (R9); Soami (R9)  

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Fleet Air Arm (R3); Kristine's Angel (R4); Said Hanrahan (R4); Island Lass (R4); Super Bright (R4); Midas Star (R4); Yardstick (R7)

GOULBURN SUNDAY: Miroslava (R2)

MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Super Bright (R3)

HAWKESBURY TUESDAY: Miroslava (R1); In The Blink (R1); Selhurst Park (R2)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Rocklily; Ting Tong; Troach; Sinba; Caribbean Stud; Sandpaper; California Surreal; Trendy Lass; Dajraan; Mars Mission; Shades Of Rose; Son Of Sangio; Amortal; Plymstock; Pomade; Silent Impact; Paternal; Chief Conductor; Pole Position; Eleven Eleven; Warmth.

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL January 31: Sharp Queensland colt MAOTAI set the time standard in the three open heats over 1030m (61.36; 34.29) with a resounding win that indicates he has improved since his Sydney visit in the spring when he fell short of the best 3YOs. Pulled his way to the front after 200m and was five clear turning for home under a big hold from Sam Clipperton. Never asked to extend over the last 200m to score by more than two lengths, the style of his work pointing to a bold showing first-up. The classy Group winner HILAL did enough to win his 900m trial for 3YO males in slow time (55.34; 34.62) and should take plenty of improvement from the hitout. RANCH HAND was given an easy trial behind him, not getting a lot of room over the last 200m and going to the line hard held.

RANDWICK January 24: The JJ Atkins winner CONVERGE showed the benefit of a placing in a recent Gosford trial to post an impressive win in the 1000m black type heat on the course proper (60.59; 35.27). Travelled kindly in midfield before zig zagging his way through the pack and surging to the line when clear for a sharp win by almost three lengths with most of his rivals under pressure. The fastest 743m heat win was recorded by the visiting 2YO filly XTRAVAGANT STAR. A Geelong winner on debut, she jumped and was all speed over the short course in quick time (43.55; 33.00). The spring winner CALGARY STAMPEDE was keen early in his 1050m heat when restrained behind the pace and was then given an easy time over the last 200m. MALKOVICH showed his usual speed to lead easily from a wide gate in his 900m heat and had too much pace for his rivals over the short course. A line of six hit the line together with PAULELE taking the eye under an easy ride.

WARWICK FARM January 20: Top spring colt SEJARDAN didn't have the speed to match some speedy fillies over the short 792m course, finishing an easy fourth in his first trial since his Breeders Plate/Golden Gift double. He's a typical Sebring and is certain to improve in condition with this trial behind him.  Another 2YO heat over 792m won by EL PADRINO (48.09; 35.05) was the slowest of the three 2YO trials but there was quality in the way he travelled easily outside the leader, took control and had his rivals well covered over the last 200m. BOLDINHO was unlucky not to beat stablemate EL PADRINO in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick. He again impressed in his trial with the way he worked to the line late for a strong third. A 1200m heat winner to follow is THROUGH IRISH EYES (74.92; 36.06), last season's VRC St Leger winner who was having his second trial since May. It was interesting to see James McDonald test him out in the trial and am confident there is some excellent staying potential in this lightly raced 4YO. He's worth an early spec at his generous odds in early Sydney Cup markets. In the maiden heats over 789m the impressive win in fast time by SAID HANRAHAN (46.72, 34.19) stamped her as a coming winner. The unraced Astern filly who has now won two of her three trials.

ROSEHILL January 17: TRAGARA is a typically strong Written Tycoon filly who produced an impressive finish from the rear to win her 902m heat (54.60; 35.29). Has been given time to good effect since her first trial in October.

WARWICK FARM January 10: The third placing in a maiden heat by the unraced MIROSLAVA impressed as a filly open to improvement.

WARWICK FARM December 30: Breeders Plate placegetter ZAMBEZI RIVER is open to definite improvement on his heat placing.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – February 5

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Yukon (R5); Boldinho (R6); Zambezi River (R6); Saigon (R7); Steel Diamond (R7); Lady Banff (R7); War Eternal (R8); Purple Sector (R10)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Worthily (R2); Renosu (R4); Ziegfeld (R7); Desert Icon (R7); Evening Glory (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Gogol (R5); Glitter Strip (R7)  

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Easy Campese; Overpass; Profit; Toomuchtobear; Zoukina; Vespertine; Casino Kid; Mass Destruction; Dzsenifer; Coventina Bay; Five Kingdom; El Padrino; Totally Charmed; Brookspire; Bacchanalia; Our Heidi; Born A King; Mr Cancun.

Blackbookers – Selected January 29

(Follow for next 3 starts)

ASTERO: Needs more ground. Suited midweek.

CAFFREY: Will pay his way in Queensland.

FINANCE TYCOON: Tough run. Sure to be fitter.

JE SUIS BELLE: Honest mare. Best against own sex.

SINAWANN: Classy. Set for a big autumn.

STAR OF MICHELIN: Worked home nicely first-up.