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Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
There are some obvious reasons why this talented Godolphin filly is a worthy value play in in this grade when you weigh up her Group form as a 2YO last season in races like the Silver Slipper, Reisling Stakes and Percy Sykes.
In fact she has contested black type races in all her six starts subsequent to her back to back wins at the start of her career and drops into this suitable class off a more than adequate effort in G3 company over 1100m at Flemington on November 8 when she recovered from an awkward start to be beaten only two lengths.
She’s got winning form on the board over this course and distance and can certainly make her presence felt with only 52.5kg.
Rosehill Race 6 - 7 Spectroscope
Like the way this Godolphin import has come up in his two 1400m starts since resuming, following a close first-up third under 59kg in a blanket finish at Randwick with a luckless ninth in the G3 Chatham Stakes behind Dreamforce at Flemington when he was in early trouble and blocked for a run when needing room in the last 200m.
He’s only had three starts at Rosehill for two wins and notably both were on his preferred affected ground, conditions that are certain to apply this weekend after the Sydney deluge. Good pace in this field will also suit his racing style.
Yet another Godolphin runner set to take another step forward off his impressive third up win over 1100m at Randwick on November 6 when he charged late from the back half under a well-executed ride from Jason Collett.
He’s been placed in three of his four starts at Rosehill, the soft ground poses no concerns and with all the speed in this field Collett can again adopt the patient tactics he excels at that will give this rising sprinter the last crack at them under the limit weight.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 24 November (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Slow Burn - Nothing went right for her first-up.
Araaja - Going well. Working up to a staying win.Zip A Dee Doo Dah - Stiff not to go close. Good type open to improvement.
Strome - Getting fitter. Just needs something longer.Proud Wolf - Good return under difficult conditions. Likes affected tracks.
Recent Blackbook winners - Kentucky Breeze; Firsthand; Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche; Shillelagh; Newsfan; Royal Celebration; Verry Elleegant; Ranier; Street Tough; Savacool; Ringerdingding.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 1 December
Rosehill (Sat) - Charlayne (R2), Spectroscope (R6), My Nordic Hero (R6), Revenire (R8) and Asterius (R9)
Moonee Valley (Sat) - Snogging (R5) and Invincible Al (R7)Doomben (Sat) - Care To Think (R8)
Ascot (Sat) - I’ll Have A Bit (R7)TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Canterbury (Fri) - Antonio (R1), Skyann (R1), Stryke Rock (R4), Samadoubt (R7), Star Crossed (R7), Bombarding (R8), Legerity (R8) and Legislation (R8)
Antonio (Warwick Farm 21 November) - Last maiden trial over 804m of the day produced the quickest heat win (47.31; 33.90) by this I Am Invincible colt who has raced only once. He’s now won two recent trials and judging by this effort, when he railed strongly to forge away for a soft win, he will make his mark when next produced.
Samadoubt (Rosehill 19 November) - Second successive trial win by this free running mare and this was a lot sharper than her prior effort at Warwick Farm on November 9, leading her 900m heat by a good margin and doing it easily all the way to score by almost four lengths in 54.15 (34.70). Set to resume in the right form.Rosehill (Sat) - Accession (R1), Athiri (R1), Nuclear Summit (R1), Easy Eddie (R2), Kapajack (R2) and Collateral (R8)
Easy Eddie (Warwick Farm 21 November) - Smart sprinter came through the classes in good style last season and looks set to go on with it after two strong trials. Did it easily to lead his 807m heat by three lengths and was untouched to hold that advantage to the line in a sharp 47.78 (33.70) with a lot up his sleeve.
Doomben (Sat) - Eleven Eleven (R5)
Kembla Grange (Sat) - Ballistica (R1), Beidi (R2), Barbary (R2), Gogoldcoast (R3), Admissable (R3), On The Top (R3) and Red Henno (R6)
Beidi (Randwick 27 November) - Allowed to find his legs early in the fastest 1050m heat won by the smart mare Pumpkin Pie in 1.03.55 (34.90) with a quiet ride from Hugh Bowman at the rear before working into it strongly between horses from the 400m and 200m. Had plenty to offer when he had to check at the 100m, losing his momentum but recovering well to hit the line untested. Set to improve sharply on his first-up effort.
Gogoldcoast (Rosehill 19 November) - First trial by this All Too Hard gelding stamped him as above average as he shared the lead with the previously noted trial winner Kapajack and was always travelling better to safely hold him after they sprinted keenly from the 400m. Put good time on the board (53.62; 34.80) with something in hand.Newcastle (Sun) - Sizzled (R3), Nuclear Summit (R4), Snowzone (R4), Beidi (R5), Skagerrak (R6), Looksea (R6), Belgrade (R7) and Positive Peace (R7)
Skagerrak (Warwick Farm 9 November) - Godolphin gave this Dawn Approach filly only two starts last summer for one placing and she looks to have developed nicely with her long break. Beaten for early speed in her 797m heat before making ground very wide from the 400m to the 200m to join the leaders. From there she was always travelling better than her rivals to record a strong win (47.52; 34.10).
Recent Trial winners - Enjoy Elsie; Regent; Re Edit; Snippetspeed; Demerara; Tassort; Czarson; Hostwin Saturn; Chess Star; Our Century; Seasons; Choice Larga; Skyray; Rosina Kojonup; Bon Amis; The Promise; Nordicus; Battle Anthem.
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.