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Chris Scholtz previews the Rosehill and Doomben meetings on May 21 with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
ROSEHILL May 21
RACE 7 (3) ALEAS: Yet another progressive UK import in the Waller stable, coming off a strong Listed win in the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) at just his third Australian start where he impressed with his determination to get the job done. Rises 2kg but this is no harder and with that win behind him over this distance I expect him to make further improvement. Drawn to enjoy the best run.
RACE 8 (8) LATINO BLEND: Top stable have been to Melbourne and back looking for the right race for this talented filly in four outings since resuming and finally get her into an event against her own sex where she will get the chance to run to her best. She has had little go her way in those recent races, her efforts all possessing enough merit to indicate she is not far from the good form she produced in Group races in earlier preparations. She's a backmarker but there should be good on pace pressure to suit her style with the switch to Tommy Berry the key to a bold run at a generous price.
RACE 10 (10) EL BUENA: Trusting what we saw in a recent a trial is what we will get under race conditions from this Waller-trained gelding. It's a very suitable first-up race for him on his home track and if he can produce the turn of foot that saw him come from last and surge past Nature Strip for an impressive win in a recent 900m trial at Rosehill he will be in the finish. He's a proven first-up winner and Bowman is the right booking as he has ridden the 4YO only twice for a win and a second.
OTHER THOUGHTS….
RACE 1: They have taken their time getting (7) O'TYCOON to the races but he has looked the part winning his three well-spaced trials. Obviously has the talent. Wary of (12) VALSPAR off good trials.
RACE 5: The good Victorian form of (12) ARAVENE and (10) SAUCEY HORSEY should stand up in an average field. (14) AWESOME WONDER made an impression winning his maiden at Wyong – scratched from easier race at Canberra Friday for this. Respect for the Derby form of (8) SEA TREASURES.
RACE 6: Quality filly (6) DYNASTIES could have run against her own age and sex in the Doomben Roses but takes this different route as her prep for the Queensland Oaks. She's up in the weights and it will be a good test for her against older rivals. (8) OCEANIC FLASH is out to a better trip second-up and appeals as an improver off his good resuming effort. (9) DHAKUNI and (10) REBEL RAMA also in the mix in an open race.
RACE 9: Irish-bred mare (13) QUINTELLO is building a strong record on affected tracks. Posted good figures trouncing easier class in her Sydney debut at Randwick and the month between runs fits her past pattern but she will need a clever ride from tricky gate. (8) NIGHT OF POWER good value for the exotics with improvement from his first-up fourth. Obvious respect for the Waller army on their home track - (7) SOLAR APEX, (11) ZING and (12) FRANCESCO GUARDI.
Selections
RACE 1: 7-15-12-2
RACE 2: 5-19-11-16
RACE 3: 4-7-2-5
RACE 4: 4-2-7-5
RACE 5: 12-10-14-8
RACE 6: 8-6-9-10
RACE 7: 3-4-6-11
RACE 8: 8-1-9-7
RACE 9: 13-8-7-12
RACE 10: 10-13-8-7
DOOMBEN May 21
RACE 3: (4) ZOUGOTCHA
RACE 5: (3) YAMAZAKI (EW)
RACE 6: (9) HOLYFIELD (Value)/(8) OSCAR ZULU (Value)
RACE 8: (2) BISCAYNE BAY (Value)
RACE 3: (4) ZOUGOTCHA has strong Sydney credentials. She has trialled well since her Randwick second in a solid form race. (6) MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO impressed at the Gold Coast. Betting support for (12) HONEY POT will be significant.
RACE 5: Backmarker (3) YAMAZAKI needs things to go her way but if they run this at a genuine speed she will be strong at the finish. Chris Waller has multiple chances. Respect them all but he does have (3) NUDGE and (6) APRIL RAIN well placed to run to their best.
RACE 6: Plenty of value in an open race. The conditions will suit (9) HOLYFIELD after his close first-up fourth in the strong Rockhampton feature. (8) OSCAR ZULU can improve sharply off a luckless run when resuming at Gosford behind stablemate (6) BLONDEAU. (12) TAKSU is a swimmer with good Sydney form.
RACE 8: Like the prep (2) BISCAYNE BAY has had since she raced at the Sydney carnival. Hard to beat in this company if she runs to her Melbourne and Sydney Oaks form. (1) BARB RAIDER and (13) LE VILLI also arrive off stronger interstate races.
Selections
RACE 1: 9-6-12-10
RACE 2: 9-15-11-7
RACE 3: 4-6-12-2
RACE 4: 4-11-3-7
RACE 5: 3-6-2-4
RACE 6: 9-12-8-6
RACE 7: 1-9-4-5
RACE 8: 2-11-1-4
RACE 9: 6-7-2-12
TRIAL WATCH REPORT – May 20-21
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Zougotcha (R3); Taksu (R6); Kalashnikov (R9)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: O'Tycoon (R1); Titanic Award (R1); El Buena (R10)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Esprit Lucand (R3); Sir Tom (R3); Luna Volanti (R3); Cinderella Days (R4)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Extraweird; The Rockwell Place; Koshu; Baroque Road; Zapateo; Mazu; Vegas Raider; Baltic Coast; Divine Okay; Show Me Your Love; Rustic Steel; Showtime Lady; Portray; Oryx; Amati; Tycoonist; Thorpe; African Daisy; Excelladus; Bethencourt; Essonne.
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM May 9: The Joe Pride-trained CINDERELLA DAYS, an unraced 2YO by Astern, improved off two earlier trials to win her 793m heat in fast time (46.78; 36.58). The race fit TAKSU took the eye with an easy tick over trial.
ROSEHILL May 6: Beating NATURE STRIP in a trial isn't easy so full credit goes to his stablemate EL BUENA for getting home over the top of him in their 900m heat, even if the champion sprinter went to the line under a huge hold. EL BUENA is always good when fresh and the way he dashed up late is a sure sign he is ready for a suitable sprint first-up.
HAWKESBURY May 3: Another impressive trial win by O'TYCOON, keeping his unbeaten trial record intact since he made his first trial appearance in December. He again dominated his 800m heat (48.77; 34.03), leading under no pressure with a lovely relaxed action that conserves his energy. Ready to win when they decide to press the button
WARWICK FARM April 22: Stylish Written Tycoon colt O'TYCOON went into the blackbook when he won his first trial in December and his reappearance confirmed he is an above average talent. James McDonald was to content to sit wide outside the lead in his 813m heat, travelling well within himself before asserting himself turning for home. Had plenty in reserve going to the line for a soft win in quick time (48.31; 33.86
RANDWICK February 7: Unraced since last year's Golden Slipper, the Black Opal Stakes winner KALASHNIKOV had his second trial and was dominant surging away from his rivals over the last 200m to win by almost four lengths in easily the fastest of the six heats over 1050m (62.12; 34.58). He has since won a Gold Coast trial following his switch to his new trainer Lee Freedman.
WARWICK FARM December 16: The Bjorn Baker-trained O'TYCOON, a Written Tycoon colt having his first trial, recorded the fastest time in the two 2YO heats over 809m (47.50; 34.07). The clock says it all as his time and sectionals were much faster than the other 2YO heat.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – May 18
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Midnight In Tokyo (R3); Nudge (R5); Oscar Zulu (R6); Biscayne Bay (R8); Savagal (R8); Putontheredlight (R9)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Pappalino (R7); Latino Blend (R8); Rainbow Connection (R10)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Brosnan (R2); Skyman (R8); Vitruvius (R8)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Magic Max (R2); Extremely Lucky (R2); Bundle Of Fun (R6); The Map (R6)
TE RAPA SATURDAY: So Wicked (R3)
SANDOWN SUNDAY: Vitruvius (R9)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Zapateo; Twin Stars; Soxagon; Rustic Steel; Premium Choice; Aleas; Rights Of Man; Bandersnatch; Je Suis Belle; Milford; Juan Diva; Mamounia; Enterprise Prince; El Patroness; Mr Brightside; Bullfinch; Daisies; Athelric; Maserartie Bay; Express Pass; Blackcomb.
Blackbookers – Selected May 7
(Follow for next 3 starts)
AND WE DANCED: Good filly. Stay with her.
CABOCHE: Will benefit from run over the trip.
ELEVEN ELEVEN: Excellent preliminary for Brisbane.
HOW WOMANTIC: Should find a suitable sprint.
ENTRIVIERE: Huge effort. She's a class act.
POLTICAL DEBATE: Not just a topical tip. Improver.
