RANDWICK
RANDWICKSATURDAY 21 JULY
TRACK: GOOD 4 RAIL: TRUE
BEST BETS:
Race 4 No.8 GRESHAM
Race 6 No.8 SEAHAMPTON
Race 1
1 – 4 – 5 – 11
Big day for PLAGUE STONE to live up to the early raps and show he is back and ready for the spring ahead. Early two year form means nothing now he is about to turn three and if he is play a role in the spring he must win here. He was beaten narrowly at his second start by the eventual Blue Diamond winner Written By and has looked the part in winning two recent trials. The Tenor lived up to the spruik winning with ease on debut but a 900m dash at home at Newcastle is a different kettle of fish to this but he does look a handy a one. Witherspoon has solid black type form and finally got her win with an easy kill at Newcastle so deserves respect here.
Race 2
8 – 2 – 3 – 4
NICCONITA has been racing in good heart and I believe gets a few things in her favour here. She gets back onto a dry surface and I think the step to 1400m especially from the soft barrier is something she will relish. Gitan has been a stable runner of mine for a long while and looks the biggest threat. He covered ground all the way last start but never stopped trying and looks to get a gun run here. Prince Of Thebes will give a sight up front while Cliff comes through the same race as Gitan and will be finding the line.
Race 3
6 – 1 – 4 – 5
Disappointing race with only four runners but we have still have a winner to find and I am sticking with the new kid on the block who looks a quality stayer down the track OMBUDSMAN. He showed last start the further they go the better he will be and with only 53kg on his back he should be able to pick his main danger Grey Lion who comes up the highway from Melbourne. It’s a big drop in grade for Grey Lion and if allowed to dictate he will be hard to run down.
Race 4
8 – 7 – 3 – 10
GRESHAM has been well supported in early markets which is no surprise as he comes here off a three weeks freshen up but most importantly he gets a good racing surface and from a perfect draw he will be prominent throughout. He has the speed to lead but even if he takes the sit on Coonawarra and La Chica Bella he has a good turn of speed. Gaulois was solid up here prior to going to Melbourne for three runs resulting in a win and two storing placings. A solid speed here and a big drop in weight will aid his chances. Dagny is hard to catch but if they overdo it up front this mare is capable of surprising. La Chica Bella is flying and must be included amongst the leading chances.
Race 5
13 – 15 – 6 – 2
In what looks an open race I think BELLA SUCCESS looks a good way to go as she turns up here following three runs this preparation so he should be ready fire on all engines and also she gets onto a good track for first time this campaign. The step back up to 1200m and what looks a fair tempo should mean she will be hitting the line hard. Oria drops back in trip and like Bella Success should appreciate getting back on a good surface. Crackneck might be a handy galloper when he learns to do things in the correct order and improves his racing manners. He has won both races this time in and even though it’s a big jump in grade here and he goes up 300m I am not underestimating. Bombarding will give a sight from on-pace.
Race 6
8 – 9 – 11 – 7
I am pretty sure this filly SEAHAMPTON has a touch of class about her and she will need every bit of that to win here from an awkward gate in a step up in grade. Her last start win was ultra impressive when charging double time to snatch victory in the final stride. After I watched Island Missile bolt in on Wednesday I gave her a little extra tick. If she gets time to wind up here I am confident she can power over the top. Touch Of Mink has been rock solid and looks the main threat especially dropping a furlong which I am sure will help her. Sepoy Acheva comes through the same race as Touch Of Mink so hard to have her as a chance while Nicci’s Gold will appreciate the drop back in grade.
Race 7
9 – 3 – 8 – 5
EASY EDDIE is flying and a credit to his trainer Joe Pride who has done a superb job with the son of Super Easy. From a good gate with no weight he should enjoy a lovely run tagging what looks a hot speed on paper with Memes, Isorich, Just A Bullet and Noble Joey and as he shown this preparation he has versatility and can sit off the speed and dash. I Thought So finally got another win on the board in the Winter Dash and from barrier one he must be the one to beat but he now has to prove he can it on a good track and not just rain affected surfaces. Sir Plush is first up where he has won two from four previously and he has trialled smartly leading in here. Tactical Advantage is first up but can’t be left out of the major players off the back of three barrier trials and a soft draw in a solidly run race.
Race 8
3 – 4 – 7 – 11
BANDIPUR was disappointing first up on a heavy track and a bad gate before running well on a soft surface but again things were made harder from a wide barrier. He is now third up and from a perfect barrier he gets his opportunity to show what he can do with Bowman aboard. Single Bullet is no pushover returning here as a gelding and a smart barrier trial win. If he finds a handy spot from the poor gate he will give Bandipur something to chase. Junglized will roll forward and with two trials under his belt he can give a sight from on-pace. Rebel Miss and Wanna Get A What look the value runners.
Race 9
4 – 1 – 2 – 3
I have nothing between Redouble and Kaonic but with the Chris Waller colt being triple the odds I am throwing him on top. Kaonic has always been a quality horse and even though he didn’t fire on all cylinders last campaign he was still going enough to be beaten three lengths behind Kementari, Pierata and Trapeze Artist. I concede he may well need this run but at the $10 mark I am prepared to have a throw at the stumps as I think he is all quality. Redouble has been very good all three runs this preparation and from gate one he should enjoy a nice run in transit and be hard to hold out. Onslaught had a hit and run mission to Melbourne and was very good winning by a widening four lengths and if the luck falls his way he pop up here. Handfast gets the blinkers back on while Sanctioned can run well first up.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 8
2nd leg: 3, 5, 8, 9
3rd leg: 3, 4
4th leg: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Cost $40 = 100%