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Chris Scholtz previews the Guineas meetings at Randwick and Flemington on March 4 with selections, best bets, Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK March 4

RACE 2: (3) EMPIRE OF JAPAN: The Breeders Plate winner had excuses in the Magic Millions and is ready to bounce back on his home track after a strong second in his recent trial where he worked to the line in great style. The Todman Stakes brings together the top colts with the unbeaten Red Resistance certain to run them along but needing to stretch his brilliance to 1200m with this robust boy sure to be strong over the last 100m. Generous odds for a youngster who is certain to be a player in the coming G1 races.

RACE 6 (3) REMARQUE: Always promised to be a Group horse and now that he's won three of his four starts since being gelded his time has come to play with the big boys. Came off a super trial to easily dispose of a BM94 field first-up over this course and distance carrying 62kg, returning figures that will hold up under these weight-for-age conditions. Another big trial since that win a month ago ensures he has an edge in race fitness on the resuming G1 sprinters and the map points to him getting all the favours camping on the back of a line of leaders.

RACE 8: (5) MATCHA LATTE: The Hobartville Stakes is the obvious form to trust leading into this G1 with the first-up third in a close finish by this untapped 3YO confirming the potential he displayed in his spring campaign. Doubt there will be little between the placegetters again as they are evenly matched at level weights but he was one run behind the others in the Hobartville and holds the most scope for improvement stepping up to this more suitable distance.

Selections

RACE 1: 11-1-3-4

RACE 2: 3-1-2-4

RACE 3: 1-2-6-3

RACE 4: 8-3-1-5

RACE 5: 11-12-13-3

RACE 6: 3-8-1-2

RACE 7: 8-9-2-11

RACE 8: 5-2-4-3

RACE 9: 11-2-10-9

RACE 10: 10-4-2-9

RACE 1: (11) CASUAL CONNECTION impressed with a big finish from last to win second up over this trip at Newcastle when he appreciated a good surface. Can go on with it. 1, 3, 4 and 9 are all in the mix.

RACE 3: Cannot fault the unbeaten (1) LEARNING TO FLY although her Inglis Millenium win in slower time rated below the colts race won by Cafe Millenium on the same day. The map reads well for her as she is sure to be stalking the pacy trio (2) KUNDALINI, (3) FACILE and the superbly bred newcomer (6) MATHKHOORA. Excellent trial win by Mathkhoora but history tells you it is rare if not impossible for an unraced youngster to win these autumn Group races on debut.

RACE 4: Expect good improvement from (8) ATHABASCAN with blinkers a key gear addition combined with a handy 5.5kg drop in weight. If they hand (3) SACRAMENTO a soft lead he will be hard to run down as he is ready to peak third up. Plenty of eyes on the classy (1) SOULCOMBE (lame last time) as he continues towards the Sydney Cup. 2, 4 and 5 for the exotics.

RACE 5: Good race to play wide. (3) ECONOMICS has trialled well since his recent barrier scratching but hard to enthuse about his cramped odds from wide gate. Good trials by (11) WILLINGA BEAST and (13) MIDNIGHT IN  PARIS have them set for this first-up and there is plenty of upside in (12) DASHING LEGEND off high rating Canterbury win under big weight…but that's not the end of it!

RACE 7: Big punters are not looking beyond the outstanding Kiwi mare (8) IMPERATIZ, justifiably so as she lands here in peak form after trouncing a G1 field by 4.5 lengths at Te Rapa in fast time beating subsequent G1 winner Levante. Has found the perfect race for her Australian debut. (9) ELECTRIC GIRL is a good quinella play as she will be better for her first-up win and will get every chance racing on the pace. Good trials by (1) CASCADIAN and (2) ARTORIUS – their class can carry them into the exotics. Not sure about (11) GOLDEN MILE at 1300m - his Hawkesbury trial placing was only fair and he loses J Mac to the Kiwi star.

RACE 9: (2) ROOTS has the right form but jumps from 1300m to the mile second up with a rise to 57kg, enough reason to side with the much improved (11) BANANA QUEEN who is certain to run boldly on the pace under the limit weight off a soft trial win at Wyong that filled the gap since her game second over this course and distance under 59kg a month ago. 4, 7, 9 and 10 for the multiples.

RACE 10: Plenty of chances in the last leg of the quaddie! A fitter (10) JUMP THE BROOM rates well and is sure to have taken improvement from her first-up second to rival (9) PO KARE KARE over this course and distance three weeks ago. Good trials from (2) SKY COMMAND and (4) BAROSSA ROSA have them ready to run to their best and it won't shock to see (8) WRITTEN BEAUTY improve sharply. Be wary of first-up swoopers (1) PROMISE OF SUCCESS and (13) JAI LEI.

FLEMINGTON March 4

RACE 2: (5) TIMOUR – Progressive import in the right stable. Should relish this trip after his last start effort over 2000m at Flemington.

RACE 3: (3) KALLOS – Has been gelded. Godolphin have picked their first-up mark for this smart sprinter after sharp trial win. Has good Flemington form.

RACE 8: (7) UNCLE BRYN – Took the eye with a soft effort first-up. Expecting sharp improvement under suitable conditions. Quinella with 1 and 4.

RACE 9: (10) LIFE LESSONS – Expect bold first-up showing. Goes well fresh and form around Nugget is good for this class. Wary of class pair 1 and 4 first-up.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – March 3-4

NEWCASTLE FRIDAY: Iron Man (R4)

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Red Resistance (R2); Empire Of Japan (R2); Mathkhoora (R3); Economics (R5); Felix Majestic (R5); Eduardo (R6); Remarque (R6); Artorius (R7); Banana Queen (R9); Sky Command (R10)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Butch Cassidy (R1); Kallos (R3); Lady Laguna (R4); Sejardan (R6); Paris Dior (R6)

HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Shadows Of Love; Willinga Freefall; Have Mercy; King Adviso; Sir Artie; London; Spangler;

MORUYA SUNDAY: Calmer Karma

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Amazonian Lass; Tu Qui Santuzza; High Plateau; Secaution; Introducing; Cylinder; Bundeena; Jupitus; Smashing Eagle; Cafe Millenium; Quantico; In Secret; Anamoe; Barber; Allaboutella; Condrieu; Zulfiqar; Aft Cabin; Remarque; Madeira Sunrise; Gaylebeck; Tavs; Kokoro; Call Di; Parisal.

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL February 27: Super trial by superbly bred filly MATHKHOORA (I Am Invincible x Mossfun). She has been given plenty of time since her early trial in October and take it that she has the talent to win good races. Travelled smoothly in the lead with an effortless action and went to the line with plenty in reserve to win the fastest of the 11 heats over 900m (54.16; 34.46). REMARQUE is a different horse since he was gelded, showing his class once again to record a strong win in his 900m heat (54.76; 33.90). Stalked the leaders and did all that was required under an easy ride.

WYONG February 24: SKY COMMAND had his first trial since his Randwick win in December and had no trouble leading his 845m heat by a clear margin, holding the rivals easily for a soft win by in his open heat to win by 2.75 lengths (50.39; 33.79).

HAWKESBURY February 21: LADY LAGUNA was good in a strong open heat over 1000m, challenging the winner Bacchanalia for the last 400m before finishing a close second (59.17; 33.19). GOLDEN MILE loomed large on their outside at the 400m after tracking three wide then held his ground fairly as the first pair sprinted over the last 200m to finish third, 2.2 lengths from the winner. Give him an 8/10 for this effort. SEJARDAN (6th) took the eye as he warmed to his work late through the line. ECONOMICS was required to trial after his barrier scratching on February 18. He was here for a testing hitout, taking up the lead easily and pushed along off the turn to run out a strong winner in the fastest 1000m heat (57.99; 33.27). KALLOS is ready to fire first-up after an impressive win in the fastest 760m heat (44.38; 32.49). Settled behind the pace and tracked the rail before taking a split between the leaders at the 200m under minimal riding, going through the line under a good hold to record a soft win. Good to see provincial maiden winner HAVE MERCY reaffirm his fast trial win at Randwick on February 6 with another easy win in his 760m heat, again showing natural speed to lead at his leisure (44.83; 32.64). Never off the bit and given an easy time late, flattering the margins to the placegetters. May be limited but trial form says he must be hard to beat in a suitable short sprint.

RANDWICK February 20: Unraced Written Tycoon youngster BUTCH CASSIDY was an impressive winner of his debut trial on February 6 and gets another big tick showing real quality to win his 1045m heat (62.84; 34.74) with plenty up his sleeve. Ready to rumble when produced. EDUARDO worked easily to win his 742m heat (43.95; 33.39). Jumped into the lead and was never pressured to hold his advantage to the finish. Excellent work by  top youngster EMPIRE OF JAPAN to work home from last for an impressive second in his 742m heat (43.94; 33.33). Could be the top gun among the juveniles by the end of the carnival.

WARWICK FARM February 16: International star ARTORIUS had a jump-out in Victoria last month but it was obvious he was here for a solid hitout. James McDonald put him under a ride over the last 200m to head off the leader, pushing him out to win the trial by more than two lengths without breaking the clock (60.26; 33.08). Unbeaten colt RED RESISTANCE produced the best trial of the morning, showed again he has all the right attributes. Led his 798m heat easily, extending his margin at the finish to more than five lengths without any pressure being applied but still posting a brilliant time (45.36; 31.94). His big test will come when he is tried over 1200m. Open 800m heat winner CALMER KARMA (47.13; 33.08) is an interesting proposition as he is the winner of one race from seven starts and hasn't been seen at the races since last May. He is eligible a C1 and will be hard to beat in restricted class on the strength of the speed he showed to lead easily and coast home by almost four lengths with G1 winners behind him.

ROSEHILL February 13: In the first heat for Group horses over 1000m I loved the way PARIS DIOR finished off under an easy ride in the last 50 metres to finish fifth.

RANDWICK February 6: Topliner EDUARDO made his return in the open heat over 740m (43.83; 33.97). Worked well within himself to finish third without being asked for a serious effort behind the fast running HAVE MERCY, a provincial class speedster looking far better than that class as he sprinted to a soft win. PROMISE OF SUCCESS (7th) looked strong have an easy time through the line in her 900m heat. BUTCH CASSIDY made quite an impression winning his first trial over 740m (43.79; 33.70) with authority.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – March 4

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Athabascan (R4); Key Largo (R6); Matcha Latte (R8); Jal Lei (R10)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Duchess Of Dorset (R3); Amenable (R7); Uncle Bryn (R8)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Syrian Star (R3); High Court (R6)

HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Spangler (R8)

MOONEE VALLEY SUNDAY: Duchess Of Dorset (R4)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Osipenko; Lindermann; Swords Drawn; Regal Pom; Sha Of Gomer; Lekvarte; Iron Grace; Queen Air; Spacewalk; Competition; Jacquinot; Hokkaido; Levante; Deficit; Frumos; Mr Rock It; Dunkel; Sunshine In Paris; Skyman; Validated; Superium; Cavalier Charles; Vienna Princess.

Blackbookers – Selected February 25

(Follow for next 3 starts)

AUGUST BLOOM: Nice prospect for longer races.

DUBENENKO: Has a future. Follow her progress.

LE BAOL – Can find his right race over a distance.

LOFTY STRIKE: Good sprinter. Flemington will suit.

YEARNING: Has the class. Fitter next time.

ZOUGOTCHA: Excellent first-up. Can only improve.