3 minute read
Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
It hasn’t been by design that he has gone a month since completing a back to back double over 1400m and 1600m at this course but he still rates as the horse to beat, especially after storms have assured he will get his favoured soft track conditions.
Survived a protest last start but the form lines through his recent wins are strong and hard to fault his record over this course and distance.
Ready to win after two luckless efforts since resuming over shorter distances. Poor ride contributed to his first-up second at Kembla Grange and he wasn’t suited by the tight Canterbury circuit last time when held up and left with too much to do coming from the rear.
Won over 1600m on a soft track last prep and this looks the right fit for him getting out to that trip on the big Randwick track where he has placed at only previous start over 1800m.
Talented import who has shown plenty of promise winning two of his four Australian starts for the Kris Lee stable.
Started his second prep for Lees with an easy Hawkesbury win over 1500m then never got a crack last time when beaten less than two lengths over 1550m at Canterbury. Has the look of a horse ready to come into his own now that he gets out to 2000m.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 16 January (Randwick & Flemington)
Whistle Baby - Tried hard under big weight. Going well.
Painted Firetail - Holds plenty of scope for improvement.Roaring To Win - Can win again if he holds this form.
Mr Smart - Really needs 2000m.ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 23 January
Randwick - Pico Turquino (R6), Istanbul (R7), Game Pie (R9) and White Dove (R9)
Chris’ final observations and full audio preview of all Sydney races will be available after 9.30am Saturday on the R&S website and tweeted by @ScholtzRacing.