RANDWICK
SATURDAY 14 APRIL
TRACK: GOOD 4
RAIL: +3M
BEST BETS:
Race 2 No.2 ISAURIAN
Race 5 No.1 VIRIDINE
Race 6 No.3 UNFORGOTTEN
Race 1
6 – 7 – 9 – 3
ARISTOCRATIC MISS did a good job at her first Sydney start when running second in the group 3 T L Baillieu Handicap and I think that is the strongest form line coming in here. Drawing gate two should enable Luke Currie to position up wherever he sees fit. Vega One found the line to finish fourth in the T L Bailieu and he is one horse crying out for the mile journey. Futooh finished well back in the lead up race when having no luck but from a better gate here can easily figure without surprising.
Race 2
2 – 3 – 1 – 5
The lack of speed on paper will create a tricky race but I am confident whatever happens ISAURIAN is clearly the one to beat as he has the best turn of speed. The barrier is the reason he is black odds in my mind. First up he was awesome at Warwick Farm when the jockey found trouble on the bend yet he dashed quickly to win before last start charging home to run I Am Excited to a half length. Renewal turns up here off a month’s freshen up albeit he has trialled but importantly he drops back to 1400m which should help him. Torvill is classy but is dropping back from 2000m while Sparky Lad was disappointing first up but gets Joe Moreira who may ride him more aggressive.
Race 3
6 – 2 – 7 – 10
I’ve chopped and changed my mind here a few times but finally settled on PURE ELATION who was beaten narrowly by Golden Slipper winner Estijaab here at Randwick before dropping back in grade and blowing away a handy 2yo fillies maiden. She looks to get a nice run from the good barrier and has to be respected as a major player. Fiesta won the Widden Stakes first up in good fashion before a narrow defeat in the Sweet Embrace and then a terrific courageous effort in the Golden Slipper. From a good draw here she will take plenty of holding out. Cristobal has good form behind Sunlight and comes here nice and fresh while Sweet Ava will be a lot sharper with the addition of blinkers. Sister Sledge was very good on debut behind Estijaab but will need luck from a wide barrier while Outback Barbie is another that has come through the Reisling Stakes and has trialled excellent here two weeks ago.
Race 4
1 – 10 – 6 – 4
Unlike last Saturday in the country championships where the winning chances looked limited the provincial championships looks to have a stack of winning chances. I’ve ended on the toppy JUST DREAMING but certainly not full of confidence. She was impressive winning at Wyong before contesting a group one race last start where she was only beaten a length so it’s hard not to put her on top but she will need luck from the awkward draw. Serene Miss is flying winning her latest two runs but is drawn the car park making the task more difficult. There are plenty of chances but I think Plaisir is good value around $20 who I am sure will love the big roomy track at Randwick. Bon Amis will go forward and looks a player in the final.
Race 5
1 – 10 – 2 – 8
With Houtzen, Booker and Showtime engaged here the speed should be fair to all and I think that will make it difficult for the opposition to hold out VIRIDINE in the run to the line. Viridine found the line hard first up behind Redzel and company before another top effort in the group 1 The Galaxy behind In Her Time. I Am Excited is low flying winning three from three this preparation and from a good barrier she will likely settle in front of Viridine and give him something to chase. Showtime should get a perfect run from the inside gate while Booker looks ready to run a cracking race off the back of a nice trial at Rosehill last week.
Race 6
3 – 5 – 2 – 1
Very keen here with the new girl on the block UNFORGOTTEN who I have no doubt is the most brilliant in the field as she has shown by winning races over 1250m through to 1500m but I also think she will love the Oaks trip of 2400m. She is Fastnet Rock but out of a Galileo mare and considering the stamina she showed last start to sustain a long run when coming from a mile back to run Hiyaam to under two lengths I think she will just love the trip. Hiyaam has to be in the numbers as we know she runs the trip having finished third in the Oaks during the spring and is going well this time in including the last start in the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes 2000m. Luvaluva backs up after winning the Adrian Knox last Saturday while Aloisia showed with a third last start in the Vinery that she is getting back to her best. The Kiwi Oaks winner Savvy Coup is the other winning chance especially with the run she should get from barrier two.
Race 7
9 – 3 – 1 – 7
It’s hard to say or even really think but I reckon WINX looked better than I’ve seen her previously this week at Rosehill. She seems to grow and get stronger each year and if the world doesn’t end before 3.05pm on Saturday she should win again. Humidor didn’t have a lot of luck in the Doncaster and gave her a scare last spring in the Cox Plate so he picks himself in the numbers as does Happy Clapper who is low flying and backs up after a terrific win in the Doncaster. Comin’ Through was good in the Doncaster albeit with no weight but from the soft draw he could sneak into the minor placings.
Race 8
1 – 10 – 2 – 6
Melbourne Cup winner ALMANDIN looks well placed here with only 57kg for his form line including a last start dominant win in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes 2400m. From a good gate he should just camp in behind the leaders and be amongst the major spoils. The stablemate Aloft showed he has returned in good order winning the Roy Higgins Quality 2600m at Flemington which is no easy task. He now comes here six weeks later and with only 51kg he is capable of showing up. Who Shot Thebarman is having his fifth crack at the Sydney Cup and must be kept safe off a cracking last start third behind Almandin and he meets him two kilos better at the weights. Pre Stwick the Japanese visitor has apparently done well here at Canterbury and Joao Moreira flies in to ride him, so I’ve kept him safe.
Race 9
5 – 3 – 2 – 4
Many of these mares have clashed recently in either the Coolmore Classic or Emancipation Stakes yet opinions will be split who turned in the better lead in performance. I was taken with the run of SILENT SEDITION four weeks ago in the Coolmore Classic when caught wide throughout yet she kept finding to beaten into third narrowly. She went back to Victoria and looked spot on for this race with an impressive barrier trial win. Dixie Blossoms was ridden cold first up here at Randwick and was outstanding winning the group 2 Guy Walter Stakes before two cracking efforts at Rosehill. Back here to Randwick and a nice genuine speed expected so expect to see her charging hard and fast late. Prompt Response was very good to us last start winning the Emancipation Stakes and she is sure to give another big sight here. Oregon’s Day has run three consecutive seconds this campaign and probably deserves a change of luck.
Race 10
5 – 10 – 11 – 2
RAVI resumed five weeks ago and was very good when finished fourth beaten less than a lengths behind Sugar Bella who she meets 6kg better off here in a group 3 for fillies and mares. She drops 4kg into this race and the best is that from barrier two she looks to get a lovely tag from the flying Quilista who I see as her biggest threat. Quilista beat Sugar Bella last start with brilliant speed when getting a kilo off here and I’m sure she will be hard to get past here. Sugar Bella gets back on a firmer track which will suit while Ghisoni returns off a 105 break but looked very good in a recent trial here when cruising to a nice win.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 9
2nd leg: 1, 2, 6, 10
3rd leg: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
4th leg: 2, 5, 10, 11
Cost $48 = 50%