Sydney Specials – October 18

3 minute read

Two talented mares will fly the flag for the Sydney Specials through Randwick’s eight race program.

Attention has begun to shift south with the abundance of Group races held in Melbourne over the coming weeks hard to ignore.

The Sydney Spring carnival is winding down however there appears to be a pair of good wagering prospects in two of the three stakes races on Saturday’s program.

Under Set Weights plus Penalties, Avoid Lightning appears pitchforked into the Nivison Stakes.

The Les Bridge-trained mare enjoyed a breakout campaign earlier in the year.

In her first preparation for the Randwick-based trainer, Avoid Lightning claimed two stakes wins and a Group 1 placing in the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).

Avoid Lightning was readied for her first up assignment with a 1050m Randwick trial which she won in good fashion.

The mare has excellent first up, course and wet track credentials which all bode well for her chances of winning fresh.

A listed winner, Avoid Lightning carries 56kg.

Under handicap conditions, with a Benchmark of 109, Avoid Lightning would be the topweight in this field, 5.5kg clear of She’s Clean with a Benchmark of 98.

Instead, she carries just a half kilo more.

Again comparing Set Weights plus Penalties to handicap conditions, Avoid Lightning should carry 8.5kg more than Hera and Bound For Earth.

Instead, Avoid Lightning carries 1kg less than Bound For Earth and 2kg less than Hera.

It shapes as a beautiful race for the mare.

Avoid Lightning should settle midfield and prove too strong for her rivals.

The best looks to be saved until last at Randwick on Saturday.

$3 is currently available about the mare when realistically; she should be closer to even money.

Two races earlier, La Amistad has appeal in the Tattersall’s Club Cup (2400m).

The mare hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon her heading into this preparation however in saying that, her runs so far this campaign over unsuitable trips haven’t been that bad.

She was well held in The Metropolitan however was entitled to weaken out of things after a torrid run in transit.

La Amistad drops noticeably in grade on that run on Saturday.

There isn’t the same level of depth in this field as the Metropolitan and four runners sit outside of the handicap.

The daughter of Redoute’s Choice should be rock hard fit at this stage of her preparation and the Tattersall’s Cup shapes as a race in which the mare can showcase her staying prowess.

La Amistad’s prior outing in Listed company over 2400m at Randwick yielded the mare the best win of her career when dashing to a clinical W J McKell Cup success.

The Team Hawkes-trained mare is currently second favourite behind Order Of The Sun at near each way odds.

A previous Team Hawkes runner in Maluckyday won the 2010 Tattersall’s Club Cup prior to a bold second in the Melbourne Cup of that year won by Americain.

Perhaps La Amistad can follow in his footsteps.

Sydney Specials – October 18

Best Of The Day: R8; #3 Avoid Lightning @ $3.00