3 minute read

Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts

R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.

SELECTIONS

Randwick Race 1 - 3 So It Is

Robust mare has been building up to this trip with strong closing efforts in shorter Highway events when she has had excuses.

This is a weak Highway field with this mare meeting her main rival Mate Story 2.5kg better for their last meeting over 1500m at Rosehill two weeks ago when she ran home in the fastest last 200m. The extra 300m on this big track should be ideal.

Randwick Race 4 - 6 Kaepernick

The stars can align for this sprinter in an open race as he is well weighted on 55.5kg on past performances against a number of his rivals in this field.

Notable that he gets the return of blinkers after he raced without them first-up when a closing fourth under 57kg in the Magic Millions Snippets won by Viddora at the Gold Coast five weeks ago.

Has since been sharpened by an eye-catching soft trial at Warwick Farm, working through the line strongly, that adds to his appeal as there are fitness queries over the majority of runners in this field.

Randwick Race 5 - 9 Prometheus

Well placed in this grade over this course and distance after going down narrowly to the in-form Show A Star in stronger company over 1500m at Rosehill on January 27 when third up after two excellent provincial wins.

At his peak and the benefit of his recent racing may give him an edge over his well-fancied stablemate The Pinnacle.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 10 February (Horses to follow at their next three starts)

Acqume - Nice prospect for something longer.

Assimilate - Good resuming effort behind a top colt. Promising.

Slightly Sweet - Talented mare set for another honest prep.

Seberate - Keep an eye on this Lindsay Park youngster.

Merchant Navy - Nice primer for what lies ahead.

Brave Smash - Just one of many luckless runs in the Orr Stakes.

Recent Blackbook winners - Prince Cheri; Lanciato; Feelin The Love; Lilith; Calanda; Ken’s Dream; Invincibella; Willi Willi; Flow, Faraway Town; Morton’s Fork; Show A Star; Awesome Pluck; Fiesta; Peaceful State; Epic Rant; Fickle Folly; Kementari; Outrageous.

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 17 February

Canterbury (Fri) - Problem Solver (R4) and Tiara Star (R4)

Moonee Valley (Fri) - Toga Picta (R8)

Randwick (Sat) - More Energy (R3), Clearly Innocent (R4), Prized Icon (R6), Endless Drama (R6), Inference (R6), Eckstein (R7), My Country (R7) and Reach For Heaven (R9)

Flemington (Sat) - Khartoum (R2), Lucky Liberty (R5), Handsome Thief (R5), Shagra (R6), Sully (R7), Muraaqeb (R7), Paret (R7), Royal Rapture (R9) and Saracino (R9)

Doomben (Sat) - Muraqaba (R6), Supreme Effort (R8) and Oink (R9)

Chris’ final observations and full audio preview of all Sydney races will be available after 9.30am Saturday on the R&S website and tweeted by @ScholtzRacing.