3 minute read
Feature racing continues this Australia Day long weekend with the Listed Carrington Stakes taking centre stage at Randwick on Saturday.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Ten races are scheduled to be run and won on what should be a good track.
We've cast our eye over the form and provided our selections for each race below.
RACE 1 - 12:30PM: JOIN ATC MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Tough way to start the day at Randwick with a two-year-old race where the majority of the field are on debut.
Russian Roulette (5) is one of those debutantes and looks to have been typically well prepared by the Waterhouse Bott stable.
The colt has had two trials in preparation for this and on both occasions, he's led and been given a good hit out to win.
He's drawn wide but noted front running jockey Tim Clark has been engaged so he'll look to counter the gate and drive forward.
RACE 2 - 1:05PM: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Magnatear (13) stepped up to this course and distance last start for the first time and handled it brilliantly.
The Sam Kavanagh-trained four-year-old gelding raced in restricted room in the straight but once clear with 150m to go, he let down powerfully to finish 1.9 lengths third to the in form Buillt.
He was rising from 1300m so he'll take great benefit from the run and is only lightly raced so has plenty of upside.
He's drawn to get an economical run for Ash Morgan.
RACE 3 - 1:40PM: HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Swift Charm (9) returned in great order two weeks ago when finishing second in a Highway Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill.
The Brett Dodson-trained gelding worked home strongly to take ground off hot favourite Penthouse and finish second by 1.8 lengths.
He'll strip fitter second-up and won at Taree when having his second run back last preparation.
Matthew Bennett has a great association with the horse having won three of five races on him and in a positive sign, Dodson has brought him down from Coffs Harbour just to take this ride.
Barrier 1 should ensure that he gets a super run on the speed.
RACE 4 - 2:15PM: RACE A KIA ORA BRED GRADUATE HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Glory Daze (1) was excellent in his return from a 39-week break last start over this course and distance.
The Maher and Eustace-trained import found the front in the straight and fought bravely when challenged before finishing a head second.
That was six weeks ago but he'll have been kept up to the mark.
He'll appreciate the drop in class and Nash Rawiller can give him a great run close to the speed.
RACE 5 - 2:50PM: PETALUMA HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Don Pedro (6) should be ready for a peak performance following two good runs to start this preparation.
The Bjorn Baker-trained son of Pierro finished third when resuming at Wyong before giving a good sight over 1400m at Rosehill when finishing third by 1.5 lengths.
The rise to 1600m suits third-up and it is a distance he has run well over, including last preparation when going within a nose of winning at Taree.
Jett Stanley, who claims 2kg, can roll forward and give them something to catch.
RACE 6 - 3:25PM: THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Manbehindthemoney (3) is set for a performance spike if his previous third-up efforts are any guide.
The Annabel Neasham-trained five-year-old gelding was last seen battling on well for a 3.1 length third over 1820m at Eagle Farm.
Since then he has had a trial where he turned in a great piece of work to lead all the way effortlessly.
He's undefeated in two third-up races including last preparation when winning at Canterbury.
Tommy Berry is riding well at the moment and should be able to settle in a forward position.
2 Units – Manbehindthemoney (3)
RACE 7 - 4:00PM: LISTED CARRINGTON STAKES (1400 METRES)
Tamerlane (1) is low flying and can overcome the outside gate and win this year's Carrington Stakes.
The James Cummings-trained son of Golden Horn enters this race on the back of a superb effort to win The Buffering last start at Doomben.
He's since had a trial to keep things ticking over and he looked slick working to the line under his own steam.
There looks to be an abundance of speed drawn on the inside which should enable Chad Schofield to cross and find a prominent position.
RACE 8 - 4:40PM: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Union Army (10) can go on with it after breaking through with a strong win last start over 1200m at Rosehill.
Following two good runs to start this preparation, the Ryan and Alexiou-trained gelding charged home to win easily by 1.5 lengths, defeating several of the horses he meets here.
While he is yet to win at this track, he is racing in superior form to what he has in previous preparations.
A genuine speed will aid his cause as does the retention of Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
RACE 9 - 5:20PM: TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
High Blue Sea (2) returned from over a year off the scene in impressive fashion when winning over 1300m at Rosehill.
The four-year-old gelding settled back before weaving through the pack and winning eased down by 1.3 lengths.
He'll strip fitter and won over this distance at Rosehill when second-up last preparation.
He's drawn well which should give Zac Lloyd options on where to settle.
RACE 10 - 5:55PM: EXPECT IT ALL THIS AUTUMN AT ATC HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Tashi (7) resumes here following a nice trial win at Canterbury.
The Team Snowden-trained mare worked home powerfully without being asked for an effort to defeat her rivals by 1.8 lengths.
She races well fresh and is never far away, finishing in the top three in eight of her ten race starts.
