3 minute read

Sydney’s big wet continues but we plough on with day two of The Championships at Randwick today.

Mud runners will of course be in their element but with Australia's best gallopers engaged it will be terrific racing despite the track conditions.

So let's find some winners...

The Waterhouse and Bott trained In The Congo returned in a big way last start when narrowly beaten in The Galaxy.

Forced to give weight away to all bar one of his rivals he stuck on gamely and remains open to further improvement second up.

Rated 121 by Timeform he is the only Group 1 winner in the field and under the set weight conditions he looks very well placed.

From the middle draw he is expected to land outside the lead with the speedy Maotai taking it up.

This should allow Berry to control the race and give himself the best chance of finding the fast lane (if there is one) in the straight.

Certainly respect the chances of both Mazu and Paulele however In The Congo comes here as the fresh horse and given he is already rated the better of the three, he deserves to be outright favourite and should take plenty of beating.

Hard to ignore the form-lines of Stockman in the Sydney Cup and while far from a real handicap, he still looks very well placed.

A handy winner of the Sky High Stakes two back, he was hard to miss last start when finishing second behind star mare Duais.

On trial at the trip but gives the impression it will suit and he is a proven heavy tracker.

When looking at his record (on heavy tracks) at 2000m and beyond he is unbeaten in four attempts and the middle draw should work in his favour.

Has a touch of class in this line up and if he stays the trip, he should be too good.

Simon Dinopoulos' Tips:

Race 5 #1 In The Congo @ $3.70
Race 7 #4 Stockman @ $5.00

ATC & Racing and Sports' Race by Race Randwick Preview and Race Analysis Card

RACE 5 @ 2:00pm – Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m)

Good early pressure primarily from In The Congo and Maotai. MAZU (6) is unbeaten since being gelded and has improved with every run this time in. Takes on the 'A' graders for the first time but rates highly and is proven to have no concerns with the wet track. This has been the Grand Final all the way through and he is sure to take plenty of beating. IN THE CONGO (1) stuck on well when only beaten half a length in The Galaxy first up. Ran right up to his peak and should be better suited out to 1200m. Drawn to land outside the lead and should take plenty of beating from there. PAULELE (2) was good late in the TJ Smith Stakes last weekend and has beaten many of these before. Drawn to get every hope and looms as a major threat. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sticking with the winning machine Mazu.

RACE 6 @ 2:35pm – Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m)

Solid early tempo with El Patroness kicking up. GYPSY GODDESS (2) was very good late in the Vinery last start and had the race been run over 2000m suspect she gets a lot closer. This has always been her main target all the way through and she is sure to appreciate the step up in trip. A very heavy track is a query, but it is for the majority. The Wizard is really starting to get his eye in of late and she looks hard to beat. HONEYCREEPER (4) sets up well on the quick back up having won very impressively last weekend. This is obviously harder opposition but the fact she'll handle the conditions is a big tick in her favour. HINGED (1) is a slight niggle at the trip but is all class and should be in this for a long way. PINK IVORY (9) has been crying out for this trip and McDonald on is a further push. Sargent is a master trainer in these events and she will have plenty of fans. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Gypsy Goddess to relish the step up in trip.

RACE 7 @ 3:15pm – Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m)

Decent tempo from the outset with Knights Order and Angel Of Truth pushing on from their low draws. STOCKMAN (4) clearly brings the A1 form having won well two back in the Sky High Stakes before finishing second behind star mare Duais in the Tancred Stakes. While far from a real handicap he looks well placed against this opposition and is a proven heavy tracker (unbeaten 4/4 when racing over 2000m and beyond). Holds his form and he goes very close. CRYSTAL PEGASUS (5) has been a revelation this time in, winning four on the bounce. From a strong staying pedigree he should be even better out to 3200m. Wide draw the knock, just not sure how far he gets back. CHALK STREAM (13) was very good in the NE Manion Cup when caught wide throughout. Set to peak third up and has room to move on his prior best form from the UK. LUNCIES (9) is building beautifully this preparation, he just needs the luck to fall his way at the right time. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Stockman, he brings the best form.

RACE 8 @ 3:55pm – Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m)

Zaaki should be able to comfortably find the front. VERRY ELLEEGANT (6) had her colours lowered in the Ranvet but put that down to a lazy ride from McDonald. She was simply out-sprinted when slipping Montefilia too much rope. A true staying test plays right into her hands and expect McDonald to not make the same mistake twice. Star mare who should take plenty of beating. ANAMOE (9) couldn't have been more impressive in the Rosehill Guineas last start and while a 3YO hasn't won the Queen Elizabeth in the last 20 years, their record of placegetters is much better than it would appear on paper. Beat Verry Elleegant home in the Cox Plate last year and no reason to think he can't again. DUAIS (7) has been awesome at her last two starts and while this is much stiffer opposition, she is very hard to knock and if she handles the conditions she should be very strong late. ZAAKI (2) will lead and is expected to take some running down. SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with the Queen - Verry Elleegant.

RACE 9 @ 4:35pm – Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m)

Genuine tempo with Vangelic pushing forward. ICEBATH (3) just fell short in the Doncaster last weekend and now gets her preferred set up, backing up in seven days. All of her career peaks have been achieved under this scenario and the wetter the better for her. Just hoping she doesn't get too far back from the wide draw. COLETTE (1) showed she was back on track in the George Ryder Stakes last start when finishing second behind Forbidden Love. McDonald sticks and if able to hold that form she is sure to make her presence felt. FANGIRL (15) was quite impressive taking out the Vinery and love the set up dropping back to the mile. 3YOs have a great record in the race and she has to be included in the main hopes. YONCE (14) is unbeaten in six starts and while this is her sternest test you'd be very brave to write her off. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Icebath on the quick back up.

Race Analysis Card - Randwick April 9