3 minute read

Some of the top liners resume Saturday in quality Group races.

Some of Sydney's best are back this Saturday and they are the focus of the bets on the card.

Buenos Noches opts to target the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) over the Lightning in Melbourne and while he would've been a strong each-way chance there, he looks the one to beat, and comfortably.

First up last campaign he announced himself as a top line sprinter, winning the Show County over the same track and distance with 58.5kg, running to 119 with Timeform on that occasion.

He finished the prep with a rating of 123 behind Imperatriz and while he's unlikely to be reaching that on Saturday, he's got the bulk of ratings in the best races to be beating these.

King Of Sparta has similar ratings and potentially a bit more residual fitness but doesn't have the peaks against better opposition that Buenos Noches has, who can sit back off a strong tempo and have last crack.

In a similar fashion, Fangirl comfortably looks the class horse of the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), with a consistent band of ratings that the others likely can't match.

She won the Winx Stakes first up at the track and trip, notably on a soft 6 track, which we shouldn't see any worse than on Saturday.

Think It Over did beat her in the 7 Stakes but Fangirl was comfortably the run of that race off a farcical tempo and the small field, and more importantly J-Mac on, shouldn't see that occur.

I don't think the others will be sharp enough at 1400m. Buckaroo is certainly interesting but Lindermann showed he wasn't up to this level last time in and I can't see that changing at 1400m now.

Similar story with Militarize, who won a weak Golden Rose over the trip but is yet to really prove himself at weight-for-age and will want further than 1400m.

Fangirl is the best horse in the race, best suited at the trip with the best jockey in the race and black odds seems fair enough for all that.

bet365 SYDNEY SPECIALS

Bet of the day: Race 5 #4 Buenos Noches at $2.10 with bet365*
Also backing: Race 7 #8 Fangirl at $2.30 with bet365*
*Odds correct at 2:30pm, 15/2/24

As usual, bet365 are coming to the party with a range of promos for Saturday at Randwick, including one of my best bets in Randwick Race 5 – Buenos Noches to win – 2.10 > 2.70.

They also have James McDonald, who rides Fangirl, to ride two or more winners at Randwick – 1.90 > 2.50

(Boost prices available from 10am Saturday – prices subject to change/singles only/max stakes apply/eligible customers only)

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