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The Randwick Timeform recap featuring a race by race overview of key performers and ones to watch out of the nine race program on June 23.
The meeting commenced with a bang as Dio D’Oro justified the boom placed on him earlier this season by making it consecutive successes.
Marmaris produced an eye catching effort for second and the writing could be on the wall for his next start, likely at the same course and distance in a fortnight.
Later in the day, I Thought So broke a lengthy run of outs by claiming the 1200m Open Sprint.
Faraway Town was solid to the line for third and could be one to watch even into the early part of next season.
Race 1: Dio D’Oro - 2YO Handicap (1200m)
There has always been a wrap on Dio D’Oro. He’s really beginning to deliver on it this prep.
We’ve got him running to 101.
Gary Portelli is apparently eyeing off the Golden Rose for him. That means he probably has to go out for a little let up. Perhaps come back in the Rosebud on August 11.
Marmaris resumed nicely. He showed a lot of promise during his maiden prep. He resumed with us not knowing if he’d handle a heavy track. We know he can now.
There is a 2YO Handicap at the track and trip in two weeks which will suit him down to the ground.
Dio D’oro is a very nice colt but Marmaris is the one to follow short term out of the race.
Race 2: You Make Me Smile - 3YO Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m)
You Make Me Smile led, kicked and held them at bay.
The So You Think filly ran to a Timeform rating of 86. It is a rating certainly good to suggest she could pick off some more wins over the winter and that BOBS cash.
There are two three-year-old races at Randwick in a fortnight, one over 1100m and one over 1400m. We’ll see her in one of those next. Pedigree suggests 1400m will suit.
Island Missile resumed well to run fourth and could head to that same 1400m event. A distance rise with added fitness second up will also be ideal for him.
Race 3: Plymouth Road - Benchmark 82 Handicap (2400m)
Plymouth Road had been knocking on the door his past couple, returning placings in each. He got a nice soft lead on Saturday and it meant there was heaps in reserve late.
He produced a Timeform rating of 90.
Matthew Smith is considering backing him up in the Winter Cup this Saturday. If he doesn’t, there is a 2400m Benchmark 80 at Randwick in a fortnight though where he’d be very hard to beat.
Only Tiger is rock hard fit and he should go to that 2400m Benchmark 80 next fortnight as well.
Race 4: Two ‘n’ Wellgo - Class 3 Highway Handicap (1200m)
Two ‘n’ Wellgo took it up and dashed right away. Ran to a Timeform rating of 78.
It was his fourth win so he’s done with Highway Handicaps now. He’s got a Benchmark in the low 60’s now so Stephen Jones can place him almost wherever. Country, provincial and/or the midweeks.
Nicconita was strong up in grade to finish second. My Blue Jeans went well dropping back sharply in trip just seven days after winning at Rosehill over 1500m.
Race 5: Karavali - Open Handicap (1600m)
Kris Lees found a great race for Karavali to get the confidence back up. She was dropping back sharply in grade and trip plus carried no weight on her back.
She’s run to a Timeform rating of 96.
This was simply a case of great placement by the stable. The daughter of Nadeem won a Group 3 Aspiration Quality at the course and trip during the autumn.
Dark Eyes showed good improvement on his first up run to finish second.
Special Missile was the beaten favourite in third. It is clear at this stage he is not a miler. The Smart Missile gelding got away with murder out in front with some soft sectionals and still couldn’t get it done. John Thompson may now freshen the four-year-old and aim at the Winter Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill in three weeks.
Race 6: Reiby Rampart - Fillies and Mares Benchmark 85 (1400m)
There was some money for Reiby Rampart late and it proved correct. She settled prominent and really put a space on her and her rivals. The run returned a Timeform rating of 93.
Reiby Rampart is an honest bread and butter mare. She’ll have a Benchmark in the high 70’s after Saturday so there are plenty of options for her on the calendar.
Realistically, the daughter of Shaft will be racing up against the same group of mares she just beat on Saturday. There is no reason she can’t keep offering up repeat doses.
Race 7: I Thought So - Open Handicap (1200m)
Glyn Schofield gave I Thought So a beautiful ride. The experienced hoop tucked him in behind the early speed set by Jungle Edge. They took the lead at the 200m and were too good late.
I Thought So produced a Timeform rating of 102 and is capable of even better as well. His master Timeform rating is 108 from when he ran second in the Razor Sharp Quality last Summer.
The Snowden’s in theory have a couple of more lengths to work with. From here, they could go in two directions, either run him over 1400m in the Winter Stakes on July 14 or drop him back to 1100m in the July Sprint in four weeks time at Rosehill.
Faraway Town resumed well in third. She’s an interesting runner. The Not A Single Doubt mare could be the rock hard fit mare on the scene in those early spring stakes races like the Toy Show Quality (1300m) on August 18.
Race 8: High Mist - Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m)
High Mist is using these weak winter races to get some confidence up. He won by two lengths on Saturday and ran a figure of 98.
Travancore and Impavido filled the minor placings. Both were good second up. Impavido settled more prominent with Blinkers first time. We’re so used to him settling back and closing. Being able to perhaps take up a more forward spot is an important new string to his bow.
Race 9: She Knows - Benchmark 81 Sprint (1000m)
It looked like a two horse race on paper between She Knows and Bandipur. Both were stakes performed three-year-olds in a pretty weak race.
The ride helped win it for She Knows. New Zealand apprentice Sam Weatherly had her in the box seat and she was too good from there.
We’ve got the daughter of Denman running to a Timeform rating of 100. She’s returned that figure in her past two runs now.
Noble Joey resumed well for second. He lost his way a bit last prep however looks back on track now.
There was plenty of money for Bandipur first up and he was disappointing as favourite. Tye Angland and Darren Beadman were left scratching their heads a bit.