RANDWICK
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST
TRACK: GOOD RAIL: +7M
BEST BETS:
Race 7 No.1 LE ROMAIN
Race 8 No.1 EGYPTIAN SYMBOL
Race 1
14 – 6 – 7 – 2
PANZERFAUST looks a progressive filly having only raced three times but shown good ability. She is third up this time in and jumps sharply to the mile which I think she will relish and with only 53kg on her back she will take some holding out. Wallander jumped and ran last start at Rosehill and never looked like getting beat and doing the same again here is a big possibility. Butchoy didn’t shirk his task in that same race and can easily bob up with even luck.
Race 2
3 – 5 – 2 – 8
JUST SHINE comes here off a three week freshen up and although he is a query at the 2400m he loves Randwick having won both starts here. It’s a tricky race but I think his turn of speed will have him a player. The quinella from here two weeks ago Red Alto and Vaucluse look major players again while the money has come again for Raqeeq who to me must prove he is a genuine mile and half horse. If it’s your shout take the opportunity to go the bar whilst this race is on.
Race 3
8 – 3 – 2 – 10
Keen to play here thinking we have the race covered from the front with Brook Magic and the back with ALMANZORA. Brook Magic drops back to the favourable 1000m off a three week break and should get a lovely run on-pace probably tagging Lightz. Almanzora didn’t have things go her way first up when a short priced favourite but with that run under her belt and now coming to the roomier Randwick track she will get her chance to wind up and with only 2kg over the limit she will be motoring. Sharpe Hussler is the only knock out.
Race 4
1 – 3 – 4 – 6
I concede Oohood will be hard to beat but he looks short enough odds at the moment. Yes he is multiple group one placed but it still remains she has yet to win. From reports she is low flying and will take some beating. I think the top one FIESTA is getting out to nice odds coming here off two trials the latest a cracking one Tuesday week ago. She just needs a genuine tempo so she can build her momentum. Outback Barbie looked like she has returned in good order winning a barrier trial at Doomben and from a soft draw she should stalk the speed and more than likely have a start on the other two as they turn for home.
Race 5
9 – 5 – 6 – 1
I think DANAWI did a good job first up when served up on speed to only get beaten in the very last stride by a horse that had a much more economical run in transit. With only 53kg on his back he will roll forward and settle in first two and give a big sight. Master Ash will either lead or sit on Danawi and looks well placed coming back a 100m and a nice little freshen up for 5 weeks but has been kept up to the mark with a nice trial. Military Zone will be coming hard late and is a player while Encryption from barrier pone will have the last shot after what should be a good run in transit.
Race 6
10 – 7 – 9 – 11
Just enjoy seeing a horse of the ability we rarely get to witness in WINX. I realise not many punters like taking very short odds but would you take $1.20 Usain Bolt against Australia’s current best sprinter over 100m? If yes take the $1.20 and think how lucky you are. She is back in amazing order and I think and believe she is more forward than previous campaigns. Kementari will run well as will D’Argento who are both in for good preparations. Unforgotten is one I will keep an eye on for the future.
Race 7
1 – 9 – 7 – 6
LE ROMAIN hasn’t won since 4 March 2017 but he has raced against top grade and this race looks ideal even with him having to concede plenty of weight. From gate one he should stalk the speed and hopefully he gets room to pounce. Ideally there would be a soft track for him but against this grade he should take some beating. Condor Heroes was good first up and will appreciate the weight drop here while Siege Of Quebec has looked in order at the trials and there’s a big tip from Randwick he will be hard to beat. No Doubt returns as a gelding and is the blow out.
Race 8
1 – 3 – 2 – 8
EGYPTIAN SYMBOL was awful first up pulling up 1 in 5 lame in the off-hind leg. She had trialled well prior to that and in a race with no speed at all I am hoping she can settle handy and show her class. A word of warning if she is easy in the betting in the lead up to jump time tread carefully. Zestful has had a five week break since the Ramornie at Grafton and from a nice gate here I think he can settle closer than normal and run a cheeky race at odds. I Am Coldplay is the query runner having her first start in Australia for Chris Waller off two quiet trials. The lack of speed looks her major concern. Insensata will be coming hard late and is capable of sprinting off below average speed.
Race 9
5 – 1 – 3 – 9
Looks four winning chances in the day’s final event. Best Of Days is stepping out for the first time since coming to Australia but has looked a nice horse at the trials and I am not underestimating him even though the 1400m is well short of his best. The stablemate Souchez was good first up when got a mile back and with a three week break since that and the step up to 1`400m he looks a player. KAONIC is a quality horse and was impressive winning fresh when soft in condition and if he can get the breaks his turn of speed will have him hard to hold out. The Queenslander Shogun Sun has been to Sydney before showing he is a quality horse and he comes here off a dominant win last start at Doomben. He’ll need the luck from gate one but he is a chance.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 10
2nd leg: 1, 7, 9
3rd leg: 1, 3
4th leg: 1, 3, 5, 9
Cost $24 = 100%