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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Apollo Stakes meeting at Randwick on February 17 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK February 17
Best Bets
RACE 4 (8) WHINCHAT: Has had barrier issues in the past but is doing everything right this prep. Came off strong trials to record a dominant BM72 win over 1250m under 60kg on the Kensington track on January 31 when he posted above average time on a soft surface. Maps to again dictate the terms and while rising in class rates as the one to beat with a significant drop in weight.
RACE 6 (5) OLENTIA: She's an enigma – she either wins or runs nowhere having won five times but unplaced in her other five career starts. The key is she's first-up here off two soft trials, the perfect set up as she's unbeaten in three starts when fresh and also boasts a perfect three from three record at 1200m. Add that she's also won three times on soft tracks and it points to her being well placed to add to that record.
RACE 7 (8) FANGIRL: An obvious selection as her WFA credentials coupled with her first-up record and Randwick form place her clear of this field on ratings. She flies for James McDonald – four wins from five rides – but the one concern will be the weather as the track dipped into the soft range after showers into Friday. If it continues the conditions will be against her but as it stands she's perfectly placed to resume on a high.
Selections
RACE 1: (2) SWITZERLAND; (8) Fly Fly; (1) Shangri La Express; (4) Enriched
RACE 2: (8) MARTIAL MUSIC; (4) Rebel Dean; (13) Mad Darcey; (1) Delexo
RACE 3: (6) CAPALDI; (1) Fay's Angels; (13) Brok Cafe; (10) Magic Pharoah
RACE 4: (8) WHINCHAT; (9) Tashi; (1) Cuban Royale; (4) Meritable
RACE 5: (4) BUENOS NOCHES; (1) King Of Sparta; (3) Golden Mile; (5) Strait Acer
RACE 6: (5) OLENTIA; (2) Semana; (6) Diamond Dealer; (4) C'Est Magique
RACE 7: (8) FANGIRL; (10) Militarize; (4) Buckaroo; (1) Think It Over
RACE 8: (2) TIZ INVINCIBLE; (1) Kimochi; (9) Arctic Glamour; (3) Learning To Fly
RACE 9: (9) MIRACLE SPIN; (7) Redstone Well; (3) Logan Street Lion; (5) Estadio Mestalla
RACE 10: (8) TIME QUEST; (9) Thunderlips; (3) Gracilistyla
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1: (2) SWITZERLAND - Delivered as expected on debut. Strong figures placed him in the top bracket.
RACE 2: (8) MARTIAL MUSIC - First-up specialist over this trip. Ready to fly off impressive trial win.
RACE 3: (6) CAPALDI - Good credentials for this class and distance and will appreciate drop in weight. Big value.
RACE 5: (4) BUENOS NOCHES - Has needed two recent trials. Rates to win on his G1 form.
RACE 8: (2) TIZ INVINCIBLE - Started the spring in excellent form. Good trials have her primed to repeat.
RACE 9: (9) MIRACLE SPIN – Raced flat in Melbourne after winning over this course and distance. Nice trial points to a positive rebound.
RACE 10: (8) TIME QUEST – Import made good progress in his first local prep. Set for a strong start to his second campaign.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – February 18-21
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Enriched (R1); Duvana (R1); Fly Fly (R1); Martial Music (R2); Golden Mile (R5); King Of Sparta (R5); Lindermann (R7); Militarize (R7); Tiz Invincible (R8); Mumbai Muse (R8); Learning To Fly (R8); Arctic Glamour (R8); Miracle Spin (R9); Time Quest (R10)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Private Eye (R8); Cylinder (R8)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Dagon (R1); Omikami (R5)
WYONG TUESDAY: Ny Kee (R1); O'So Demanding (R1); Nibidano (R2); Martial Music (R8)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Totoka; Confess Our Dreams; Chateau Miraval; Drifting; Our Gold Hope; Bonita Queen; Kallos; Bodyguard; Prost; Lady Of Camelot; Mad Darcey; Merchant Lady; Ironton; Whinchat; Capabelle; Koby Girl; Tashi; Amor Victorious; Winning Proposal; Switzerland; High Octane; Memoria; Caballus; Winston Hills
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK February 7: Crack sprinter BUENOS NOCHES was put under a ride and went OK to finish a close third in his black type heat over 1000m on the course proper. Impressive work from MARTIAL MUSIC to truck though his 1050m heat in fast time (62.95; 33.59). Travelled under a big hold clear of the chasers and had plenty in reserve coasting through the line, form that indicates he will be well placed in a low class race first-up.
ROSEHILL February 5: Another round of three course proper trials for the Group horses preparing for the autumn. In the first heat over 1000m LINDERMANN turned in another impressive effort to win (59.24; 34.27) under no pressure to back up his strong placing in his first-up trial at this course on January 25. He's ready to perform. In first 900m heat it was easy work for classy sprinter KING OF SPARTA to lead his 900m heat and hold his advantage to the line in slow time (55.05; 34.35). MUMBAI MUSE was the one to impress with her surging finish to close down the margin to a half length under a big hold from Tommy Berry. She will be a filly to be reckoned with through the carnival. PRIVATE EYE had another quiet trial but he was more prominent sitting four wide from the start, just going about his work under no pressure. FACILE won the quicker second 900m heat (54.21; 34.50) with GOLDEN MILE impressing with his strong third after covering ground. OLENTIA warmed to her work over the last 100m to finish fifth. The stars of the 900m trials on the inside grass included ARCTIC GLAMOUR and FLY FLY. Classy Filly ARCTIC GLAMOUR is set for a good prep after she worked home under no pressure for a soft win and could have easily improved on the slow time (55.13; 34.98). Trapeze Artist filly FLY FLY has now won two trials and is set for a good debut after this impressive effort. Not the fastest of the 2YO heats (54.45; 35.10) but she really looked the part with her strong work from the back under an easy ride.
WARWICK FARM January 30: Group stars contested course proper heats. In Heat 3 over 900m TIZ INVINCIBLE enjoyed a cold sit behind the leaders before finishing off nicely but in much slower time than the other 900m heat (54.66; 34.26). In the same heat Jamie Kah gave CYLINDER an easy time, settling well off the pace before letting him work home strongly over the last 200m for fifth. He has developed physically since we last saw him.
ROSEHILL January 25: The black type heat over 900m (54.55; 34.27) was won in a drive to the line by the 3YO WEST OF DALBY from LINDERMANN. WEST OF DALBY tracked three wide with both going to the line under quiet rides.
WARWICK FARM January 16: There were two black type heats over 900 metres on the course proper in heavy conditions. The high class fillies TIZ INVINICBLE (55.50; 35.46) and LEARNING TO FLY (55.53; 35.59) won the heats, both doing it easily as none of their rivals were put under5 any pressure to make it a contest.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 16-17
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Mollynickers (R6); King Colorado (R7); Tannhauser (R7); He's Our Bonneval (R10)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: She's All Class (R6); Kind Words (R8); Stefi Magnetica (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Ella Te Ama (R2); Clyde (R3); Lady Le Da (R8)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Gently Rolled; Dark Journey; Our Maryanne; Pereille; Glory Daze; Ceerseven; Cradle Of Life; Our Kobison; Caballus; Bermadez; Nana's Wish; Union Army; Va Via; Miracle Spin; Contemporary; Zennzella; Gelatin; Munhamek; Acotango; Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected February 3
(Follow for next 3 starts)
MATISSE; MOESHA; QUOTHQUON; RAG QUEEN; TOM KITTEN; WAIRERE FALLS