3 minute read
Chris Scholtz previews the Canterbury and Randwick meetings on December 9 and 10 with selections, Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
CANTERBURY December 9
RACE 3: (3) Asva
RACE 5: (3) Fleet Air Arm
RACE 7: (11) Vientiane
RACE 8: (7) Huon
RANDWICK December 10
RACE 4 (10) RONDINO: Suspect this has been his target race since he bolted to an easy win over 2400m at Rosehill in September. He then dropped back in distance off a break of 45 days to win over 1850m at Newcastle before his last start fifth in the ATC Cup over 2000m at Rosehill when he would have tested the winner Bonny Ezra with a clear crack over the last 200m. Stays on the limit against seven rivals from that race and is sure to be one of the strongest when the pressure is on.
RACE 7 (4) WAIHAHA FALLS: Followed an excellent first-up fourth under 58.5kg in the G3 Sydney Stakes with a game second under 61.5kg in a leader dominated BM88 over 1300m at Newcastle. Has always shown excellent black type potential and this looks his chance to deliver as he excels on his home track, gets weight relief with a 7kg drop in weight and is drawn to enjoy a soft run.
RACE 9 (1) NUGGET: Exciting UK import is a dual acceptor and will be a huge chance in $2 million Ingham if he gains a start as second reserve. If not this will be his race for the taking as he made the expected improvement from his impressive Australian debut at the Flemington carnival to put away a BM88 field with ease over 1600m at Kembla Grange on November 19, running fast time in the style of a horse destined for better wins. This is no harder and with only 1kg more after the claim for Zac Lloyd should add to his growing reputation.
RACE 1: 15-7-17-5
RACE 2: 9-1-8-4
RACE 3: 4-3-5-14
RACE 4: 10-5-4-1
RACE 5: 3-8-13-12
RACE 6: 7-8-1-4
RACE 7: 4-10-9-11
RACE 8: 22-14-9-17-4-19
RACE 9: 1-10-13-14
RACE 10: 11-2-12-14
THE INGHAM: Sure to be a high pressure race with $2 million at stake. The import (22) NUGGET needs scratchings but if he makes the field has the figures to measure up off his excellent win at Kembla Grange A fresh (14) DIAMIL has trialled strongly and will enjoy favours from a good draw. The very fit (17) BRUTALITY will give them a start but the pace will be on and he will finish hard with a big drop in weight form last week. (4) KIRWAN'S LANE, (6) RIODINI), (9) SKYLAB and (19) LONGVILLERS are must inclusions for extended exotics.
RACE 1 (15) I'M NOT SLEW: Good first-up placing. Well placed to improve with the claim.
RACE 2 (9) DRAGON DREAM: Freshened for return to his best trip. Can run well at generous odds.
RACE 3 (4) BILLIONDOLLARBABY: Bled when winning before enforced break. Top stable has given her a good prep.
RACE 5 (3) DISNECK: Strong winner at Rosehill. Has the edge in race experience.
RACE 6 (7) KIR ROYALE: Good mare favourably placed to run well fresh.
RACE 10 (11) I AM LETHAL: Working up to a win. This looks his right race.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – December 7-8
SCONE FRIDAY: Sherringford (R7)
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Hi Dubai (R2); Nanshe (R2); Pozesana (R2); Triples (R2); Glint Of Silver (R3); Fleet Air Arm (R5); Daytona (R5)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Billiondollarbaby (R3); Wategos (R3); Facile (R5); The Little Pumper (R5); Brookspire (R6); Barossa Rosa (R6); Eleven Eleven (R7); Taksu (R7); Ranges (R7); Brigantine (R7); Much Much Better (R7); Diamil (R8); Huetor (R8); New Mandate (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Godfather (R3); Empress Of Wonder (R4)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: The Novelist (R2); Windshadow (R6); Hulm (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Tsarina Sophia; Rotorua; Millybella; Gundy Bridge; Flying Shelly; Blanc De Blanc; Dajraan; Dehorned Unicorn; Jewellery; Xpresso; Richon; Cosmic Field; Estadio Mestalla; Kouklara; Sunshine In Paris; Wategos; Royal Merchant; Mabel; My Eloise; Taraashoq; Captain Bond; Hard To Say.
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL November 24: The well regarded Zoustar colt HULM recorded his second successive trial win in his 1030m heat (62.33; 35.05) after giving James McDonald a difficult ride. He was restrained at the rear form the jump but refused to settle and McDonald had to let him slide three wide to race outside the lead pair. Showed his talent with good work over the last 100m to get the upper hand.
GOSFORD November 21: The fastest 1000m heat was won by BAROSSA ROSA (60.22; 35.00) showing good acceleration to rail through over the last 300m for a soft win. The good class winner MUCH MUCH BETTER had not been seen since he won a trial in June but looked up to the mark for trainer Sara Ryan recording a strong front running win his 800m heat (48.91; 34.64). Being a three time winner when first-up he looks set to run well fresh.
WARWICK FARM November 18: FACILE is a readymade filly by Trapeze Artist. She showed excellent race sense to rail through to lead her 801m heat after 200m under a tight hold from Brenton Avdulla and extended her lead easily from the turn, running a slick last 200m under no pressure to post a time up there with the best of the morning (46.46; 33.46). She trialled in similar fashion to win a heat at Canterbury on November 29. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott also won a 2YO heat with well-educated newcomer THE LITTLE PUMPER (801m 47.16; 34.18). It was easy to like the way Chris Waller's good mare BROOKSPIRE went about winning her 740m heat on the poly under no pressure in slow time (46.11; 35.17). She followed up with easy second in a Canterbury trial on November 29. David Pfeiffer's GLINT OF SILVER looked in good form winning a polytrack heat over 740m in much quicker time (44.29; 33.83).
RANDWICK November 14: Quality colt HULM has been given plenty of time to develop, returning after a 15 weeks break since he was given three educational trials in July and August. He's got the talent judging by the way he cruised past his opposition for a strong win and putting the time on the board with the equal quickest closing sectional of the morning in a fast 780m heat (46.78; 33.49).
RANDWICK November 8: Unraced 3YO filly HI DUBAI had won her first trial in April and again looked a real professional cruising in the lead to win her heat over 848m with plenty in hand (50.59; 33.75). While her time was standard there was a lot to like about her relaxed fluent action. Confirmed her talent with an another easy trial win at Canterbury on November 29.
RANDWICK September 19: Million dollar colt GODFATHER sat off the leader in his 850m heat and responded when called on to take the lead at the 200m before his rival came back under riding to win by a half length in average time (51.97; 35.31). Never asked for an effort when a soft third in a Canterbury trial on November 29. Will give plenty under race conditions.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – December 9-10
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Sacrimony (R3); Waihaha Falls (R7); Sky Lab (R8); Skyman (R8); Aramayo (R8); Longvillers (R8); Bullfinch (R9); Irish Legend (R9); Lovely Esteem (R10); I Am Lethal (R10); Robusto (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Canadian Dancer (R8)
SANDOWN SATURDAY: The Cunning Fox (R7)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Mr Rock It (R4)
SHA TIN SUNDAY: Laws Of Indices (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Cavalier Charles; Vienna Princess; Athelric; Bankers Choice; Turbeau; High Blue Sea; Pal D'Oro; Vilana; Key Largo; Argentia; Port Albert; Turaath; Minsk Moment; Rocketing By; Asfoora; Highlights; Greek Hero; Tuvalu; Lunar Flare; Tijuana; Loch Eagle; Ita; Top Ranked; In Secret.
Blackbookers – Selected December 3
(Follow for next 3 starts)
DEFICIT: Building nicely for longer targets.
GARZA BLANCA: Like to see him ridden closer.
SUNSHINE IN PARIS: Promising filly.
SUPER PURSUIT: Good return after long break.
THE NEPHEW: Sure to appreciate more ground.
VANE TEMPEST: Follow against her own sex.
