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Chris Scholtz previews the Randwick meeting on December 9 with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK December 9
THE INGHAM: The former Villiers Stakes – Sydney's summer feature - is now worth $2 million and is typical of Randwick's big mile races in that it presents a host of chances. Expecting hot weather to help track conditions improve but the best ground may still be a couple of lanes away from the inside rail. He hasn't won since a memorable G1 victory in the Randwick Guineas in 2021 but happy to gamble that LION'S ROAR can get the monkey off his back as his overall form at this course is first class and includes two other G1 placings (Champion Stakes/ATC Derby) and a luckless second in this race last year carrying 56kg. He added another placing over this course and distance at his last start five weeks ago in the Little Dance from barrier 20 under 62kg and he's since posted a strong Randwick barrier trial win. It all points to him getting back to that classy 3YO form as he will be carrying only 53.5kg from a soft inside draw. I'm going to gamble against The Gong form on a heavy Kembla Grange track that throws up the favourites (2) DETONATOR JACK and (6) OSIPENKO from wide gates and play the exotics with (4) VILANA, (7) NO COMPROMISE, (8) RUSTIC STEEL; (10) ATTRACTABLE, (13) HINGED and (18) WATERFORD all worthy inclusions.
Best Bets
RACE 2 (1) STEP ASIDE: Smart 4YO made an impressive return from a four months spell at Rosehill on November 15, coming through traffic and running sharp closing sectionals to win in this class over 1300m. Rises only 1kg and profiles as a gelding set to progress strongly through the classes this season.
RACE 4 (8) TERRA MATER: Promising mare ran up to impressive trials when she beat her own sex in this class over 1100m at Canterbury, keeping intact her record of never missing a place in her nine career starts. Raced on the speed in a fast run affair, posting fast closing sectionals to win with plenty in hand. Fitter again and with Nash Rawiller sticking she rates as the one to beat
RACE 10 (11) IOWNA MERC: His Randwick record speaks for itself as he's won three times at the course including two victories over this distance. Just missed adding to that record first-up over 1000m on November 7 but is set to atone after a super trial win over 1050m on November 20 where he flew to the line to score in fast time after being ridden quietly off the pace. Expect similar tactics here from his wide gate as he can let the speedsters go and be held up to run home over the top of them.
Selections
RACE 1: (1) VEANDECHANCE; (2) Burrandana; (4) Mosgold; (6) Mr Boo
RACE 2: (1) STEP ASIDE; (4) Diamond Model; (10) Mogwai; (2) Zouatica
RACE 3: (11) LEICA MODEL; (7) Associate; (5) Rapbidash; (2) Golden Decade
RACE 4: (8) TERRA MATER; (11) Another Cognac; (6) Dodi; (9) Ningaloo Star
RACE 5: (2) BLUE STRATUM: (3) Odinson; (6) Deep Joy; (10) Jupiter Hills
RACE 6: (6) WINEGLASS BAY; (9) I'mintowin; (11) Wycliff; (3) King Of The Castle
RACE 7: (19) LION'S ROAR; (4) Vilana; (10) Attractable; (8) Rustic Steel
RACE 8: (6) WAIHAHA FALLS; (10) With Your Blessing; (3) Insurrection; (5) Recommendation
RACE 9: (2) ZOE'S PROMISE; (1) Promitto; (5) Aristonous; (7) Deficit
RACE 10: (11) IOWNA MERC; (7) Way To The Stars; (2) Brudenell; (1) Lady Laguna
Why They Can Win…..
RACE 1: (1) VEANDECHANCE - Impressive winning first-up at Doomben under a big weight. Jumping classes but has the potential.
RACE 3: (11) LEICA MODEL - Smart wins by this former Victorian mare before luckless fifth at Newcastle in this class. Good value as she's going well.
RACE 5: (2) BLUE STRATUM - Raced greenly on debut at Flemington when beaten by a race experienced youngster. Expect natural improvement.
RACE 6: (5) WINEGLASS BAY: Got the better of I'mintowin at Newcastle in a close finish. No reason why it won't be the same result.
RACE 8: (6) WAIHAHA FALLS - Kept fresh since a solid return under big weight. Can swoop off a hot pace under favourable conditions.
RACE 9: (2) ZOE'S PROMISE – She's a G2 winner well placed in this company. Ready to peak after two solid placings since resuming.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – December 8-10
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Diamond Diesel (R4); Jupiter Hills (R5); Attractable (R7); Lion's Roar (R7); Frosty Rocks (R8); Perfect Thought (R8); Aristonious (R9); Lady Laguna (R10); Devil's Throat (R10); Way To The Stars (R10); Iowna Merc (R10); Garrison (R10)
BALLARAT SATURDAY: Space Tracker (R10)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Madrina (R1); Spring Lee (R4); House Of Cards (R5); Writty (R5); Asva (R6); Pennypacker (R6)
HAWKESBURY SUNDAY: Octavian Treasure (R1); Dayu (R1); Asva (R7)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Lady Extreme; Overpass; Legio Ten; Storm Boy; Bojangles; Vomo Island; Sisserou; Terra Mater; Tumbling; Long Memory; Gitalong; Fioprospero; Satin And Silk; Erno's Cube; Against The Law; Jagjit; Northumbria; Hard To Say; Quick Tempo; The Hawkesbury; Prima Bella; Intervarsity; Way To The Stars; I'mintowin; Sharkim; Watch My Girl.
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM November 30 (Poly): TOKYO LADY won the quicker of the two 2YO heats over 740m (43.53; 33.12).
RANDWICK November 20: IOWNA MERC was beaten first-up at Randwick but he's ready to atone after an impressive win in his 1050m heat (62.46; 34. 70). He settled well off the pace and was still six lengths off the leader at the 200m but showed his class to reel him in quickly over the last 50 metres in fast time. Talented import SPACE TRACKER is ready for a good second Australian campaign after two strong trials. Trialled well at Rosehill on November 6 and went on with it here to dominate the 1200m heat from the front and win with authority (72.54; 35.11). His stablemate ARISTONOUS also impressed making ground from last under a soft ride to finish second. The Waterhouse/Bott 2YO MADRINA won her 740m heat (43.10; 33.11). Lacks size but she is a speedball and is sure to take catching over the shorter distances.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – December 9-10
BALLARAT SATURDAY: Jenny Jerome (R4); Foxy Cleopatra (R8); Bermadez (R10)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Leandra (R2); Foxy Cleopatra (R6/R7); Rustic Steel (R7); Lion's Roar (R7); Iowna Merc (R10)
SHA TIN SUNDAY: West Wind Blows (R4)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck; Ka Bling; Rose Quartz; Let'srollthedice; Schwarz; I've Bean Tryin'; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express; Magic Time; Queen Of Dragons; Foujita San; Airman; Vienna Princess; First Immortal; Espiona
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected December 2
(Follow for next 3 starts)
FLATTERED; I'M A DIRTY RASCAL; ROUSSILLON; SHOWMANSHIP; TAZARAL; ZENNZELLA