3 minute read

The heavens have opened with the proven mudlarks now in high demand for Saturday’s Randwick meeting.

Rated a Heavy 8 as of Friday morning with the prospect of further rain to come, Randwick’s meeting on Saturday will be conducted on a heavy track with the only variable whether it is a Heavy 8 or 10.

Later in the afternoon, two last start winners on rain affected ground present themselves.

The first is Alberto Magic in the Sydney Markets Foundation Handicap (1100m).

The Allan Denham-trained gelding skipped over the soft ground on resuming at Rosehill last start when taking out a 1200m Benchmark 85 Handicap.

The four-year-old continues rising to any task set for him and there is little reason to expect it will be any different at Randwick on Saturday.

Alberto Magic is unbeaten second up from two starts and his last two outings on rain affected ground have returned victories.

The lightly-raced four-year-old rises to Open company here and while sitting substantially outside of the handicap, is the new kid on the scene amongst a field largely comprised of off-season types past their prime.

Expect the gelding to be prominent throughout and take catching.

Two races earlier, Maddhal can continue his winning form in the Get Well Glenn Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m).

The Joseph Pride-trained gelding turned heads first up when posting a last to first victory over 1100m at Warwick Farm on a Heavy track.

The gelding admittedly didn’t beat much however the way in which he did it was impressive.

It was his first raceday start on a heavy surface and he took the outing in his stride.

He will have taken fitness from the outing and appears well suited.

The race doesn’t feature strong early speed however the gelding has shown in the past he doesn’t have to settle at the tail as was the case last start.

Off a career best performance, Maddhal looks a good chance of building upon the display second up at Randwick.

Sydney Specials – May 22

Best Of The Day: R7; #8 Alberto Magic @ $2.50