What a terrific race day this is. Two Group 1s, three Group 2s and a Group 3 across the nine races on the bumper program at Randwick.
The Chipping Norton largely hosts the rematch of the Apollo Stakes from two weeks ago while the Surround Stakes hosts a bumper field of some of the best three-year-old fillies in the country.
The track is currently rated as a Soft 7 but the weather is forecasted as fine and we could potentially see a track upgrade before racing tomorrow. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
Race 1 Class 2 Highway Handicap (1000m) @ 1:15pm
Water Dove
Top run last start behind Art Cadeau, who has won again since, in a Highway race at this track. Drops back to the 1000m from the 1100m last start, which is a slight query, but draws well and should get that gun run in behind the speed once again. Should be in the finish once again but is short enough.
Mr Magical
Was narrowly beaten at the Sapphire Coast first-up on a Heavy track and should improve here second-up and on a Soft track. Maps to get a nice run just in behind the speed or around midfield. Second-up last preparation, he finished second to Tallis in a Highway race with similar depth to this one. Gets Tom Marquand aboard for his first ride in Australia for the year and looks over the odds.
Superior Witness was good in the same race as Water Dove last start. The step back to the 1000m should suit him well as well as coming onto a wet track. Last Chance Dance and Leo also have claims.
Selections: 2-6-7-5
Suggested Bet: Tough race and while Mr Magical looks a good price, he is hard to take with confidence. No Bet.
Race 2 Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) @ 1:50pm
Shaquero
Brilliant win in the two-year-old Magic Millions last start at Gold Coast and he looks a terrific chance here once again. Returns to Randwick, a track where he was a comfortable winner over 1000m on his debut run. Draws perfectly in barrier one and should get every possible opportunity to be right in the finish once again.
Captivant
Showcased his ability last preparation and looks a big chance here first-up. Big debut run at this track over the 1000m last preparation before he was a beaten favourite in the Golden Gift behind Sneaky Five. Has had two very sharp trials leading into this and looks ready for a big run fresh. Barrier could be the only slight issue if he goes back.
Head Of State was a nice maiden winner at Warwick Farm last start and while he looks to be very progressive, will need to improve greatly to step up to this grade. Does map well though. Hilal was a phenomenal maiden winner on debut when coming from the clouds to charge over the top of King Of Sparta. Looks to be a talent but like Head Of State, will need to improve to measure up here.
Selections: 2-1-6-3
Suggested Bet: Will need some luck but think Captivant will show us just how good he is first-up here. Back Captivant to win ($3.30).
Race 3 Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) @ 2:25pm
Four Moves Ahead
Terrific winner on debut on a Heavy track and comes into this off the back of a sharp trial leading into this run. She maps perfectly here from barrier seven, as there does not look to be a lot of pressure up front in the race. She should get a similar run to what she had last start and looks a top chance to go close here once again.
She’s All Class
Has been particularly good in all three of her runs so far this preparation. Absolutely enormous run last start in the Magic Millions behind Shaquero when she was one of the only horses to come from well back in the field to finish third. She comes onto a rain-effected track once again here. Last time she ran on a Soft track, she bolted in to win the Wyong Magic Millions. With speed drawn inside of her, think she can settle closer to the speed and will have the turn of foot to finish over the top of them.
Mallory won well first-up and looks like she has a lot of improvement in her while Nice For What was one of the best of the rest behind Golden Slipper contender Profiteer. Robodira looks a rough chance.
Selections: 1-5-3-2
Suggested Bet: Backing She’s All Class to win ($4.60), she is a classy filly and can get the better of fellow Slipper contender Four Moves Ahead here.
Race 4 Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) @ 3:05pm
Greyworm
Good run first-up in the Group 3 Rubition Stakes at Caulfield first-up over the 1100m. Will benefit stepping up in distance here and the sting out of the track that he gets here with his Soft track record of two wins and two placings from five runs looking appealing. Looks to be not a lot of pressure in the race so he should get every possible opportunity to go close once again.
Trumbull
Also maps well here and has a terrific fresh record of four wins and two placings from six first-up runs. First-up last preparation, he knocked off Standout at Group 3 level. Has a two from two record on Soft tracks and has trialled up well leading in to suggest he is a top chance here first-up. The stable and jockey have been in excellent form and can notch up another win with this one.
Deprive also has plenty of claims here with his terrific first-up record and loves racing at Randwick. Discharged will be up on pace with Greyworm and should be right in the finish with the lack of tempo in the race. Criaderas has the most upside in the field and should be running on late.
Selections: 5-1-11-10
Suggested Bet: Very competitive race here but think Trumbull is a nice each-way bet ($7.50 win, $2.30 place).
Race 5 Group 2 Proven Thoroughbred Stakes (1400m) @ 3:45pm
Icebath
Great run from her first-up when third to the talented Tailleur. She finished third to Tricky Gal but gets a four-kilogram swing in the weights in her favour. Maps well here from barrier four and could be right in behind the speed once again here. Do think she is short enough in the market, however.
Bam’s On Fire
Bypassed running in a weaker race at Flemington, where she was favourite, for this race here. First-up run was a terrific run behind Probabeel, who has gone on to win the Group 1 Futurity Stakes since. Think she might settle further forward from barrier three as there does not look to be a lot of pace in the race. Goes well second-up and has a terrific record on wet tracks. Top chance.
Sweet Deal should appreciate the lack of pressure in the race and will lead the field for a long way while Emeralds and Tricky Gal should appreciate the step up in distance and having a run under the belt.
Selections: 5-6-4-7
Suggested Bet: Keen to back Bam’s On Fire here with a bigger place than win bet to ensure profit ($6 win, $1.90 place).
Race 6 Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) @ 4:25pm
Verry Elleegant
Can give her a pass mark first-up but did have her chance. The step-up in trip looks to suit and she is obviously a horse that loves stepping out on to a rain-effected track. Not a lot of speed in the race here so interested to see how positive James McDonald is on her. She is an absolute superstar but is obviously looking for further. Can she be good enough over the mile and turn the tables on Colette.
Colette
She was phenomenal in her dominant win first-up in the Apollo Stakes. She meets most of those horses here again and level at the weights. She will also appreciate the step-up in distance and has a terrific record on rain-effected tracks where she is undefeated in five runs across Soft and Heavy tracks. Hard to go against her with even luck after what she produced last start.
Kolding will be at peak fitness and maps well from barrier two. Funstar has an excellent second-up record but will need to improve to overturn the margin on her rivals here. Master Of Wine could run a big race first-up but will improve deeper into the preparation and over further.
Selections: 7-6-1-8
Suggested Bet: Hard to go against backing Colette to win here ($3.30).
Race 7 Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) @ 5:05pm
Dame Giselle
Looks a terrific chance here second-up where she has an elite record of three wins from three starts. First-up, she looked to be travelling sweetly from back in the field but got placed under pressure by the horse outside of her and was not quite able to produce that big turn of foot to win. It was still a top run and she will be further improved stepping up to the 1400m. Maps nicely and is a terrific price.
Away Game
Has been terrific in her three runs this preparation and looks to be getting closer to a win. She finished off nicely behind Every Rose over the 1200m last preparation. The step up to the 1400m should see improvement from her and she is at peak fitness now. She is a terrific each-way chance and price.
Forbidden Love looks way over the odds and should get the perfect run from barrier three and can bounce back. La Mexicana faces her toughest test to date but has a terrific overall record. Hungry Heart and Montefilia are classy fillies and look a top chance also along with Every Rose.
Selections: 3-2-6-9
Suggested Bet: Keen to back Dame Giselle here each-way ($4.80 win, $2 place).
Race 8 Benchmark-88 Handicap (2000m) @ 5:40pm
Great House
Can not deny how good he was last start and looks a very promising stayer going forward. After settling midfield, he was able to show a terrific burst of acceleration to put his rivals away in quick order for a dominant win. He stays at the 2000m but comes up in class here. The race does not look to be too much more difficult than his last start but the question is always with these young international stayers, can they reproduce on the second time of asking?
Sky Lab
Has made a terrific start to his career and is looking for a hat-trick of wins this preparation. Last start he finished off powerfully to knock off Zing late over the 1600m. The step up in distance looks to suit perfectly and she is well experienced on wet ground.
Realm Of Flowers will appreciate the step up in distance and has the class to challenge the finish while Mohican Heights was disappointing on his Australian debut after being strongly backed but can bounce back here stepping up in distance. Scarlet Dream is a good rough chance.
Selections: 10-8-13-5
Suggested Bet: Think Great House will be tough to beat but looks a bit too short. No Bet.
Race 9 Benchmark-88 Handicap (1200m) @ 6:15pm
Zakat
Terrific run first-up when he was narrowly knocked off late in the piece by a rock-hard fit horse in, I’m Telling Ya. Comes to Randwick, where he goes well at, on a Soft track, a surface he has a record of two wins and two placings from five runs on, and is second-up, where he has a strong record also. Couple that with the excellent barrier draw and the lack of speed in the race makes him awfully hard to go past here. Second-up last preparation he beat Icebath, who is a handy type. One of the better bets for the day.
Lucicello
Looks a solid chance here first-up. First-up last preparation, she was won well coming from last to knock off Invictus Salute. This is the toughest grade she has faced since she was a three-year-old but has trialled up well leading in and has performed on rain-effected tracks in the past.
Lina’s Hero is an interesting runner on his Australian debut coming over from Hong Kong. Has a perfect two from two record on Soft going and was a dominant trial winner in his most recent. Watch how he presents in the Mounting Yard and keep an eye on betting. Poetic Charmer and Bound To Win look solid place chances.
Selections: 5-6-1-3
Suggested Bet: He is short enough but awfully hard to go against backing Zakat to win here ($2.40).
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