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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Caulfield Cup and Everest meetings at Caulfield and Randwick on October 15 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
CAULFIELD October 15
CAULFIELD CUP: Clearly (17) SMOKIN ROMANS is the weight horse with a huge rating off his last start G1 win in the Turnbull Stakes carrying 4kg more weight. He's well exposed to wet tracks, has the course and distance experience and with only 51.5kg is certain to press forward and take running down. (5) NUMERIAN also rates highly getting to 2400m after two strong wfa performances with Tommy Berry giving up Sydney options to ride him. This is not a vintage Caulfield Cup field and a dive back into his UK form against the likes of Sir Dragonet and Armoury will tell you how well placed he is in this company under handicap conditions. (9) ALEGRON has gone a month, missing a scheduled start in the Turnbull Stakes, since his high rating win over 2000m win in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick where he beat (10) BENAUD in a race that also produced the subsequent G1 Metropolitan winner (8) NO COMPROMISE. Worth noting that ALEGRON only start over 2400m when he was a game second in the Randwick Derby on an affected track also came after a month between runs and he should relish this tough 2400m test. BENAUD is another who had a hiccup in his prep but was topped off for this with another solid wfa performance over 2000m at Caulfield last Saturday. He also brings the right Randwick Derby form and is well treated by the handicap conditions. Bearing in mind this will be run on a seriously impacted course catering for its third meeting in seven days it is obvious that proven wet form is critical. On that score you have to respect the classy import (1) GOLD TRIP (despite the challenge of carrying topweight), (3) KNIGHTS ORDER, (4) MONTEFILIA and (8) NO COMPROMISE. To a lesser degree (11) GREAT HOUSE and (12) INSPIRATIONAL GIRL are value options for the exotics. Have not seen anything from (2) DUAIS to give you confidence that she can regain her autumn form.
SELECTIONS: (5) NUMERIAN 1; (17) SMOKIN ROMANS 2; (9) ALEGRON 3; (10) BENAUD 4.
Selections
RACE 1: 1-5
RACE 2: 11-6-5-3
RACE 3: 1-5-2-3
RACE 4: 7-8-1-3
RACE 5: 8-12-6-11
RACE 6: 7-11-1-14
RACE 7: 11-7-9-2
RACE 8: 9-4-8-13
RACE 9: 5-17-9-10
RACE 10: 5-13-16-11
FOR VALUE
RACE 5 (8) EPONYMOUS: No luck at Moonee Valley. Should appreciate the extra 200m.
RACE 6: (7) MELBA STORM: Arrives off an easy Adelaide win. Suited by the conditions.
RACE 10: (5) BANDERSNATCH: Took the eye hitting the line first-up at Sandown. At his best in the wet.
RANDWICK October 15
RACE 5 (6) FAR TOO EASY: Ran right up to his name when he put his rivals to the sword, coming from off the speed for an impressive 1100m win by 3.3 lengths at the Gold Coast on September 17, a performance that will have him at his peak for this bigger challenge. Has recorded four of his six wins on soft/heavy tracks, he's won two from four over 1200m and from his favourable draw will be given every chance by Brisbane's leading rider James Orman.
FOR VALUE
RACE 2: (10) SOLAR APEX: Excellent record at this trip. Track conditions will suit.
RACE 6: (17) FORBIDDEN LOVE: Good mare well placed to run to her best.
RACE 8: (8) LOCH EAGLE: So impressive first-up. Can take the next step.
RACE 9: (4) RUSTIC STEEL: Ready to peak third up. Loves the soft ground.
Selections
RACE 1: 4-5-6-9
RACE 2: 10-9-1-5
RACE 3: 1-3-2-9
RACE 4: 2-6-5-3
RACE 5: 6-3-11-10
RACE 6: 17-1-20-7
RACE 7: 1-6-11-5
RACE 8: 8-1-3-2
RACE 9: 4-9-1-2
RACE 10: 8-6-5-1
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – October 12-13
RANDWICK SATURDAY: A Lot More Love (R1); In The Congo (R6); Waihaha Falls (R6); Eduardo (R7); Joyful Fortune (R7); Vilana (R8); Kiss Sum (R8); Cotehele (R8); Lord Ardmore (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Dragonstone (R7); Rocha Clock (R8)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Wondereach (R3); Pyrois (R4); Treasurer (R4); Mizmckeon (R6); Havlicek (R7); Banana Queen (R9); Ausbred Flirt (R9)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Ginger's Gal (R1)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: O'Tycoon; King's Gambit; Atlantic Ocean; Kallos; Private Eye; Sinaloa; Camino Real; Saturn Star; Jacquinot; Economics; Surf Dancer; Pericles; Sir Kerm; Badge; Selous; Walkin'Talkin'; King Of Naples; Enzina; Shohei; Brigantine; Zougotcha.
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM October 7: A classy heat win by crack sprinter EDUARDO showed he is in the right form the tackle The Everest for the third time. He jumped to a clear lead but was kept under restraint with a line of three joining him on the turn in his 740m heat. He was headed at the 300m but Nash Rawiller was kidding to them and his class kicked in as he lengthened stride impressively over the last 200m to win the trial by a soft 1.9 lengths in the fastest of the 11 heats over the distance (42.98; 32.95). Good reports about Melbourne jumpouts by the Outreach gelding WONDEREACH were justified as he recorded an excellent trial win over 740m in fast time (43.35; 33.19). Led easily and was eager to go faster, pulling his way to a five lengths lead and coasting to the line with a lot in hand. Good maiden prospect.
ROSEHILL October 4: The spotlight was on the Everest entrants JOYFUL FORTUNE and SHADES OF LOVE when they clashed in a fast heat over 900 metres. JOYFUL FORTUNE showed his class to win the heat, leading from the jump and working well within himself to clock good time (53.93; 33.93). SHADES OF LOVE was restrained to trail the leaders and put in nice work over the last 200m to finish a soft third, 1.8 lengths off the winner. Maidens to make an impression in the 900m heats included PYROIS. He is unbeaten in four trials – failed at odds on only race start.
RANDWICK September 26: COTEHELE led for a strong win in his 1045m heat (64.23; 34.78) and looks set to perform well fresh after two solid trials. Stablemate ROCHA CLOCK is trialling beautifully and again worked well within herself closing off under an easy ride from the rear. The classy prospect WAIHAHA FALLS is certain to take plenty of benefit from his solid second in his 1045m heat (64.61; 35.29). WATERFORD was given easy work over the last 400m in a strong open heat over 1045m.
WARWICK FARM Sept 23: Expect improvement from the G1 winner IN THE CONGO the next time he goes to the races after he led for a strong win in a deep heat over 792m (47.32; 33.51). Controlled the speed and responded well when required over the last 200m.
ROSEHILL September 20: GINGER'S GAL recorded a free running win in her quick 900m heat (54.75; 34.31). She's now won five trials – she's much better than she displayed in her only start last season.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – October 12-13
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Steely (R2); Pinarello (R3); Handle The Truth (R5); Fender (R5); Cavalier Charles (R5); Spiranac (R5); Rocketing By (R6); Masked Crusader (R7); Stray (R8/R10); Rustic Steel (R9); Aleas (R9); Sibaaq (R9); Grace And Harmony (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Asfoora (R7); Argentia (R8); Benaud
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Highlights (R2)
ASCOT SATURDAY: Stageman (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Greek Hero; Tuvalu; Lunar Flare; Tijuana; Loch Eagle; Ita; Top Ranked; In Secret; Golden Mile; I'm Thunderstruck; Sharp 'N' Smart; Pounding; Aussie Nugget; Don't Stop; Opal Ridge; Tara Jasmine; Salty Rain; Zou Tiger; Boldinho; Bonaparte; Mayfair Spirit; I Am Bene; Veranskova.
Blackbookers – Selected October 8
(Follow for next 3 starts)
BANKER'S CHOICE: Fitter for the run. Can win a good spring race.
LAWS OF INDICES: Sure to be suited at Flemington.
NEVER TALK: Conditions were against her. Never stopped trying.
SHERAZ: Quality stayer. Ready for his major spring targets.
SWEETENED: Strong after covering ground. Suited easier company.
TURAATH: Talented mare. Looks close to her best.
