3 minute read
Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Godolphin have the timing right to bring this honest gelding back to Sydney after three excellent Melbourne efforts – all over 1600m - that saw him win at Moonee Valley and finish third in strong form races at Flemington in the last month.
He’s down 5.5kg off those placings and they read well for this after he gave 6kg to the subsequent Caulfield winner Mount Kilcoy in both events.
Struggled first-up off a long spell in heavy going then made good improvement second up on soft ground for third over this course and distance in a higher Benchmark event on July 7.
Gets a firm track for the first time this prep and the significant booking of Hugh Bowman points to him regaining the excellent form of his last campaign when he won three times and was never worse than second in six successive starts.
Randwick Race 9 - 15 Travancore
Ran home over the top of rivals to win over this course and distance in January and looks ready to put in a similar performance after two strong efforts at this track since resuming when he has had to contend with heavy going.
Ran home for fifth first-up over 1200m before a game second to High Mist over 1400m on June 23 when he was still short of peak condition.
Looks a worthy value gamble in this suitable class as he can only make further improvement with his extra fitness on a better surface. Note he also has winkers reapplied.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 14 July (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Paret - He’s a work in progress.
Insensata - Has come up well and will improve.Sweet Victory - Luckless. Suited back to her own sex.
Miss Norway - Should have been closer. Longer trip suits.Snitzepeg - Locked in for last 400m. Never tested.
Chapter And Verse - Forgive run. Has talent.Recent Blackbook winners - Eusebio; My Nordic Hero; Envy For All; Rillito; No Annamossity; Roman Typhoon; Sparky Lad; Jetsonic; Island Missile; Curragh.
Recent Grafton Blackbookers - King Lear; Harnova; Mother To Race Her; Just A Dame; Eight Below; She’s Choosie; Inkblot; Editors; Reneged; I Am The General; Hologram.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 21 July
Randwick (Sat) - Tactical Advantage (R7), Redouble (R9) and Travancore (R9)
Flemington (Sat) - So Splendid (R2), Data Point (R4) and Ducimus (R6)Doomben (Sat) - Pinch Passion (R7)
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.