Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts

R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.

SELECTIONS

Rosehill Race 4 - 9 Naval Warfare

He’s mixed his form for a while now but there were positive signs in his last start third over this same course and distance on November 3 when he ran home hard from a clear last behind Red Excitement and Mask Of Time to be beaten less than a length.

Meets Red Excitement 2kg better and with only 52kg to carry should be a serious threat in this similar field, noting his preference for firm ground and solid form on his home track.

Rosehill Race 5 - 6 Firsthand

He’s performed nicely in two well-spaced runs since resuming and is nicely placed for his first 1400m start of his current prep in a race where there pressure should be on from the start.

Found the line late last time out over 1200m on a soft Randwick surface and while this field is stronger he drops 4kg and will appreciate the firmer conditions on his home track. If the field numbers hold up he’s a sound each-way play.

Rosehill Race 8 - 4 Deft

Progressive Godolphin mare added to her growing record with a strong first-up win over 1100m at Canterbury and is well placed to take another forward step with the benefit of that run over this extra trip.

She’s missed a place only once in her seven career starts and while she meets some handy types in Seasons and Ready To Prophet she has the fitness edge on them from her recent win. Should settle on the back of the speed and have the last crack at them.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 10 November (Horses to follow at their next three starts)

Etymology - You could not miss his late finish.

Secret Vega - Hard to beat in right class.

So Si Bon - One day it will all go right for him.

Sir Isaac Newton - Not Group One but he can stay.

In Her Time - Maybe she wins with a clear go when it was needed.

Shillelagh - No luck but showed she can get a strong 2000m.

Ombudsman - Nice resuming effort from good staying type.

Montrachet - Should benefit from solid first-up third.

Recent Blackbook winners - Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche; Shillelagh; Newsfan; Royal Celebration; Verry Elleegant; Ranier; Street Tough; Savacool; Ringerdingding; Sesar; Tamasa; Diplomatico.

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 16/17 November

Moonee Valley (Fri) - Tezlah (R7) and Freehearted (R8)

Rosehill (Sat) - Firsthand (R5)

Sandown (Sat) - Wall Of Fire (R2), Eawase (R3), Aristocratic Miss (R3), Black On Gold (R4), Rich Charm (R5), Secret Blaze (R7), Zoutori (R7), Sir Isaac Newton (R8), Bons Away (R9), Invincible Al (R9), Our Crown Mistress (R10) and Snogging (R10)

TRIAL WATCH HORSES

Canterbury (Fri) - Boudicea Belle (R3) and Sixes (R3)

Boudicea Belle (Rosehill 2 November) - Placed once from two starts last season and looks to have come on well with a Kembla Grange trial win preceding this smart effort to win the maiden heat over 1030m (1.02.45; 36.30). Patiently ridden to sit second two lengths off the leader before quickly taking command at the 250m when full of running. Soft win flattered chasers as she was eased down late.

Rosehill (Sat) - Chess Star (R1), Our Century (R4), My Nordic Hero (R5), Gibraltar Girl (R7), Seasons (R8), Ready To Prophet (R8) and Catesby (R9)

Seasons (Randwick 30 October) - Talented mare is in for a good campaign after her sharp second in her 1045m heat when she cruised through her gears making ground off without being put under pressure. She’s only had four starts and has a very bright future. Followed up with another strong trial third at Canterbury on November 13.

Ready To Prophet (Rosehill 2 November) - Sharp 3YO filly by Smart Missile set to add to her record of one win from three starts last season. Cruised in the lead at her own tempo, sprinted off turn and had plenty in the tank running out a clear 2.3 lengths winner in the fastest of the three 1030m heats (1.02.34/34.60). Hard to beat fresh.

Kembla (Sat) - Brazenpine (R1), Perigord (R3) and Brigid Of Kildare (R6)

Scone (Mon) - Hard Reality (R1), Defeat (R2) and Stella Sea Sun (R2)

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.