3 minute read

Chris Scholtz previews today's Randwick and Flemington meetings with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

RANDWICK – March 5

RACE 4 (11) NO) COMPROMISE: It won't be easy but this Waller-trained 5YO has plenty going for him to turn the tables on his in-form stablemate MIGHTYBEEL as he's a proven wet tracker and can be assured to cope with the saturated conditions. He's ready to peak after three progressive placings over 1400m, 1600m and 1900m with plenty of excuses for his last start second to Mightybeel in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill when he came from last at the 500m, running super closing sectionals for a stayer. Favoured by the move to Randwick, meets his stablemate on 2.5kg better terms and the extra trip is sure to suit him on a bottomless track.

RACE 6 (3) MAZU: This is a quality field scattered with potential and proven Group performers but prepared to take a leap of faith with this 3YO as the figures he returned beating older rivals in a BM 78 over 1100m under 59kg at Rosehill two weeks ago in his first start as a gelding are just too good to ignore. It was a classy win that confirmed he had progressed from his Listed win in the Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at this course at the end of his spring campaign and while he's untried in heavy conditions his last start gave him two wins from three starts on soft tracks. He'll be there if he makes the expected progress from that race. Respect DRAGONSTONE off his classy trial win.

VALUE

RACE 1: (9) ICECRUSHER: Ready for a bold showing third up. Strong wet track credentials.

RACE 7 (8) LAW OF INDICES: He has to run down the hard fit FORGOTTEN LOVE but this French G1 winner appeals as the value play of the day when you study his European form on affected tracks. Looks close as his two Australian starts have been eye catching fifths in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in the spring and the G3 Southern Cross (1200m) at this course on February 12 when he got home in the best closing sectionals of the race after a slow start. Ticks a lot of boxes, none more than my respect for the results his trainer is producing across the board.

RACE 10: (12) JOVIALITY: Has regained her early form. Well placed down in the weights.

RACE 1: 9-4-6-14

RACE 2: 1-7-5-2

RACE 3: 1-4-5-2

RACE 4: 11-4-5-7

RACE 5: 1-2-4

RACE 6: 3-6-11-13

RACE 7: 8-9-10-5

RACE 8: 1-3-2-10

RACE 9: 7-8-3-1

RACE 10: 12-10-4-2

FLEMINGTON March 5

RACE 3 (9) ROSE QUARTZ: Well placed to win again.

RACE 4: (8) EXCELIDA: Value in an open race.

RACE 7: (9) PINSTRIPED: Has the fitness and right lead-up form.

RACE 1: 1-10-6-7

RACE 2: 4-5-7-3

RACE 3: 9-6-8-7

RACE 4: 8-11-5-3

RACE 5: 1-4-9-11

RACE 6:10-1-5-6

RACE 7: 9-4-2-3

RACE 8: 7-11-4-9

RACE 9: 10-13-1-12

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – March 4-5

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Greece (R2); Splintex (R5); Dragonstone (R6); Private Eye (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Bohemian Daisy (R1); Cannon (R1); Shadow Devil (R5); Zaaki (R6); Profondo (R7); Trekking (R8)

SUNSHINE COAST SUNDAY: Snowzone

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Loch Eagle; Forbidden Love; Fireburn; Gravina; Jukebox Flyer; Endorsement; Fire; Champions League; Character; Arthur Francis; Home Affairs; Mazu; Expat; Omni Man; Why Big Bry; Psychiatrist; I Am Brazen; Stoical; Stray; Lord Heron; Camino Real; Fangirl; Le Gai Soleil; Lost And Running; Coastwatch.

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM February 28 (Polytrack): No doubt PROFONDO is in a good place ahead of his autumn campaign. Improved nicely off his strong first up trial to control his 1175m heat (71.96; 34.75), sitting outside the leader and extending sweetly as he sprinted to the line for a soft win. PRIVATE EYE worked in similar style to his first-up trial, tracking the field and working to the line easily for a soft fourth in the 740m heat

ROSEHILL February 21: If an unraced youngster is going to jump out of the box and shake up the Golden Slipper picture than I Am Invincible filly GREECE is the one! Her excellent win in the fastest of the four 1030m heats (61.19; 34.84) confirmed the class she displayed in her first trial win over 900m at this course on February 10. Loved the way she settled smoothly behind the leader, moved up easily to join her turning for home and cruised away for the softest of wins by more than three lengths.

HAWKESBURY February 18: TREKKING led the usual Godolphin contingent at Hawkesbury trials, improving on his recent first-up trial to finish a strong second in his 1000m heat (59.71; 33.89).

RANDWICK February 17: The star of the session was the talented 3YO gelding DRAGONSTONE, showing he is a Group winner in waiting as he cruised to an impressive win his open heat over 1050m (63.67; 34.56). Tyler Schiller let the speed go before peeling to the outside and letting DRAGONSTONE pull his way past the leaders over the last 200m without applying any pressure. It was super work as he was clearly better through the line than the classy Group performer Ellsberg, a subsequent winner at Randwick.

WARWICK FARM February 14: In The Group trial over 1000m in heavy conditions the majority in this star studded heat were given easy work, the most notable being ZAAKI and PROFONDO. ZAAKI was a beauty, sitting wide midfield and never asked for serious effort before as he worked smoothly to the line under a cold ride from James McDonald. Oozes class and so does PROFONDO, who went back from the start as expected and was equally good in the run to the line in a lovely return trial from a colt who could be a superstar by the end of the autumn. In the Group trial over 900m Epsom winner PRIVATE EYE was a standout. Having his second trial after good work in his first on February 4, Regan Bayliss let the speed go early and was six lengths off the leaders before peeling widest turning for home. He closed off with powerful work over the last 200m to be beaten 2.6 lengths into third, showing that he is in top order for his return.

ROSEHILL February 10: Top stable have another classy 2YO prospect in GREECE, a $1.2 million sister by I Am Invincible to Princess Gaby. She jumped into the lead and worked well within herself in her first trial with James McDonald giving her an easy time to the line. Slow time (55.61; 35.46) but she is certain to take improvement.

RANDWICK February 7: In a hot 735m heat (43.87; 33.79) on the A Grass SPLINTEX held the inside running with crack sprinter Eduardo sitting wide on his outside. It was excellent work by SPLINTEX as he was kept under a big hold all the way to the line with Eduardo doing just enough to win the heat.

ROSEHILL January 31: ZAAKI was ridden with no intent in his comeback trial over 900m and will obviously be improved by the workout.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – March 2

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Shalatin (R3); Zeyrek (R4); Zapateo (R6); Laws Of Indices (R7); Hilal (R8)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Superium (R3); Forgot You (R7); Mr Brightside (R6); Alegron (R7); Brooklyn Hustle (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Knight Mariner (R5)

TAMWORTH SUNDAY: Edit (R7)

ESPERANCE SUNDAY: Sluice Box (R7)

SUNSHINE COAST SUNDAY: Je Suis Belle (R8)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Finance Tycoon; Comica; War Eternal; Rose Quartz; Mightybeel; Devil's Throat; Stray; Desert Icon; Worthily; Gogol; Easy Campese; Overpass; Profit; Toomuchtobear; Zoukina; Vespertine; Casino Kid; Mass Destruction; Dzsenifer; Coventina Bay; Five Kingdom; El Padrino.

Blackbookers – Selected February 26

(Follow for next 3 starts)

BROSNAN: Expect him to improve with experience.

DUAIS: Classy mare building nicely into her prep.

EL PATRONESS: Did it tough but gave plenty. Will test her own sex.

LE BAOL: Should have won. Have to follow on this effort.

MERCHANT PRINCE: Keen to see him over more ground.

MO'UNGA: Big talent. Prefer at Flemington or Randwick.

SHE'S EXTREME: Quality filly. Has a bright future.