3 minute read
Racing And Sports form analyst Simon Thomas provides his race-by-race Randwick preview, thanks to tab.com.au.
Randwick plays host to this Saturday's meeting where we see a massive eleven-race card, with the highlight being the Listed Lord Mayors Cup over 2000m.
Expecting the Waller and Baker stables to have a big day, as they are well represented in most races with some genuine winning prospects. I have pinpointed one from each yard who look great each way value. Read on for our preview of the full eleven-race card, thanks to tab.com.au.
RACE 1 –10.30am: Schweppes 2YO Handicap (1100m)
Madrina (7) improving filly with a fitness edge over most of these. Back in grade second-up after pushing forward from the outside gate when a tenacious second over 1100m at Canterbury on May 29. Gets in light with the 2kg claim from the soft gate and will take running down. Winning Proposal (5) smart Shalaa filly from the Buchanan yard resuming. Unlucky not to have finished closer in the Millennium when fourth to Fully Lit over this track and trip on February 10. Since fitted with an 800m trial win. Looks ready to go from the inside gate. Stardeel (4) Dundeel colt out of a Star Witness mare on debut for the Baker yard. Has looked sharp in both his trials and the stable has a nice opinion of him. Can play a leading role. Buckingham Palace (1) colt by Written By out of a Encosta de Lago mare on debut for the Waterhouse/Bott yard. Had four trials in readiness for this and market moves must be closely monitored.
Tip: Backing Madrina to win at $5.00 with tab.com.au
RACE 2- 11.00am: Midway BM72 Handicap (1600m)
Gelatin (9) progressive Snitzel gelding who stretches out to the mile for the first time today. Indicted a win was imminent when he charged late from well back to finish sixth over 1300m at Warwick Farm on May 22. The 1600m won't pose a problem and maps to get the right run in the favourable going. Decadent Tale (11) fitter now after coming from near last on the turn when a slashing fifth over 1700m at Scone on May 18. Drop-in class suits and has genuine each way prospects. Watch My Girl (13) well-bred Maurice filly who gave them a galloping lesson third-up when a slick 4 len winner over 1600m at Hawkesbury on May 23. Has upside but will need plenty of luck from a wide gate. November Falls (18) at her top now and can give plenty of cheek again after sitting on the speed for a narrow second over 1400m here on May 25. Should get the trip and can add value to the exotics.
Tip: Backing Gelatin each way at $10/$3.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 3- 11.35am: TAB Highway C3 Handicap (1100m)
Ramones (1) tough gelding racing in career best form. Finally draws a decent gate after coming across quickly from the wide draw when a narrow fourth over 1200m here on May 25. Blinkers have been added and will prove hard to catch with the claim. Remember Jack (2) carrying the big weights well and due for a change of luck. Warmed up late when sixth over 1200m at Newcastle on May 11. Kept fresh and the good early tempo suits. Soul Lady (9) well supported when resuming with a sharp 2.25 len victory over 1200m at Queanbeyan on May 12. Goes just as well second-up and looks up to this with the 3kg claim. Has genuine top-three prospects. Ticklebelly (10) returns from a 42-day let-up with excellent wet track credentials. No match for the speedy Martini Mumma when sixth over 1100m at Rosehill on April 27. This looks easier and gets her chance from the gate.
Tip: Backing Ramones to win at $6.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 4-12.10pm: 50 Year And Life Member BM72 Handicap (2000m)
Piggyback (16) improving filly who steps out to the 2000m for the first time. Gets all the map favours again with the claim after finishing a close sixth over 1800m at this track two weeks ago. Winkers go on here and will relish the conditions. Bestower (14) underrated filly who was dragged back from the outside gate before powering late when a sound eighth over 1800m here on May 25. Fitter now and the extra distance suits. Has solid each way prospects. Warialda Warrior (5) talented gelding on the quick back-up after finishing eighth behind Warmonger in the G1 Queensland Derby over 2400m at Eagle Farm last Saturday. Look for him late at great each way odds. Mannerheim (8) is a talented Dundeel gelding who was a total forgive when a plodding 11th in the G3 Rough Habit Plate over 2000m at Doomben on May 18. Improver back in this easier contest.
Tip: Backing Piggyback to win at $5.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 5- 12.45pm: Foundation Female Member BM78 Handicap (1600m)
Redbreast (9) thrown in the deep end second-up when jumping in grade and trip for a tiring 13th in the heavy (10) conditions over 1800m in the LR Gold Coast Bracelet at the Sunshine Coast on May 11. Since fitted with a recent 1050m trial and expected to go close from the good gate. Group 2 placegetter Missy Moola (1) showed plenty of tenacity on resumption when a fighting second over 1400m here on May 25. Strips much fitter now and the stable can easily quinella the race. Bootscooter (8) has a sound second-up record and brings strong figures here. Massive performance when charging late to finish sixth over 1400m in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on May 18. Trip and conditions suit and look for her swooping out wide. Bright Red (14) Pierro filly hard fit for this and will appreciate the drop in trip. Disappointing when ninth over 1800m at this track on May 25. Down in weight and can add value to the exotics.
Tip: Backing Redbreast to win at $3.70 with tab.com.au
RACE 6-1.20pm: TAB BM78 Handicap (1000m)
Passeggiata (10) speedy mare at her top now and meets a few of these better at the weights. Went out hard before being left a sitting duck late when a gritty second over 1000m here on May 25. Can go one better. Fleetwood (11) progressive gelding with the three wins from eight starts. Bounced straight to the front and eased down late when a slick win over 1100m at Warwick Farm on May 22. Looks up to this class from the good gate and can win again. The Black Cloud (13) promising filly who rewarded her supporters with a powerful first-up victory over 1000m here on May 25. Has a few obstacles to overcome today with the rise in weight and poor draw. Take on trust. Fire Lane (7) three runs back have been okay and has genuine top-three claims today. Trapped wide with the 58kg when a plugging eighth over 1000m here on May 25. Can stalk the fast tempo and take a hand in the finish.
Tip: Backing Passeggiata to win at $5.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 7-1.55pm: Petaluma BM94 Handicap (1300m)
Multiple Group 3 placegetter Short Shorts (14) is a tough mare who will relish the drop in grade. Used up early from the wide gate when a fading fifth over 1400m in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on May 18. Gets all the map favours here and best form can see her return to form. Estadio Mestalla (12) returned good final sectional splits first-up when motored late to secure fourth over 1200m in the LR Takeover Target at Newcastle on May 11. Since fitted with a recent trial over 1050m at Randwick. Clearly come back well and will keep improving as he gets out in trip. Kayobi (16) underrated gelding fitter after two encouraging runs back. Will need some Tim Clark magic from the wide gate, and if he gets cover, he can take a hand in the finish. King Of The Castle (4) massive run when snagged back from the wide gate on resumption before charging late to run eighth in the LR Luskin Star over 1300m on May 18. Can race a little closer from the better gate and not to be underestimated.
Tip: Backing Short Shorts to win at $6.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 8-2.30pm: Lord Mayors Cup LR (2000m)
Multiple Group 3 placegetter Sir Lucan (6) defied his big price when a fighting 0.9 len second over 2200m in the LR Gosford Gold Cup at Newcastle on May 11. Drawn wide but has the speed to get across and figure prominently. Multiple Group 1 placegetter Williamsburg (12) jumps in trip after sitting on the speed with the 60kg when a tenacious second here over 1600m on May 25. Placed this trip and loves the going. Keep safe. Group 3 winner Hosier (4) gets out to his right trip third-up and has excellent figures over this course and trip. In need of the run when 14th in the LR Scone Cup over 1600m on May 17. Should race closer and return to form. Sky Lab (1) returned in good order when winning the LR Scone Cup first-up over the mile and is sure to be strong again late over the 2000m.
Tip: Backing Sir Lucan to win at $4.80 with tab.com.au
RACE 9-3.05pm: Bob Charley AO Stakes LR (1100m)
Group 3 winner Semillion (11) returned to form with smart on-pace victory over 1200m in the LR Takeover Target (Pacesetter) Stakes at Newcastle on May 11. Goes just as well over this trip and will prove hard to stop again. Worth noting he's undefeated on the heavy tracks. Iowna Merc (16) underrated gelding who returned good final sectional splits when a fast finishing third in the LR Ortensia Stakes over 1100m at Scone on May 18. Goes even better second-up and saves his best for this track and trip. Insurrection (1) produced a gritty return with the 60kg when a fighting seventh over 1100m in the LR Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Well drawn again and another with excellent second-up credentials. Fire Lane (18) three runs back have been okay and finally draws a decent gate. Trapped wide with the 58kg when a plugging eighth over 1000m here on May 25. On the limit today and has each way prospects.
Tip: Backing Semillion to win at $4.60 with tab.com.au
RACE 10-3.40pm: Racing And Sports Open Handicap (1600m)
Group 2 placegetter Waterford (3) is holding his form well after powering late to finish a narrow second over 1600m in the LR Scone Cup on May 17. Expected to go close in this easier contest. Highlights (16) tough miler racing well. Raced without luck at his last two runs in Victoria and will need a good ride from King from the sticky gate here. Went under narrowly when a nose second over this trip at Caulfield on June 1. Has the speed to get cover early and play a leading role. Ruby Flyer (15) improving gelding going nicely through his grades. Almost a month between runs when wound up strongly late to finish third over this track and trip on May 25. Hard fit with no weight and handles the conditions. Group 3 winner Kibou (12) is a talented gelding who disappointed when dropping out sharply when last in the Scone Cup over 1600m on May 17. This is easier and can return to form.
Tip: Backing Waterford to win at $3.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 11-4.20pm: Catanach's Jewellers BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Ivan's Hero (20) fifth-up for this and looks ready to win. Has a sound record over this trip and held on well with the 59.5kg when a game seventh over 1300m at Scone on May 18. Drops in weight and looks solid each way value. Starman (10) consistent gelding due for a change of luck. Closed off strongly with the 59kg when a narrow second over this track and trip on May 25. Gets the 2kg claim and has a fitness edge over most of these. Xidaki (11) above average gelding who won the Canberra Guineas last time in. Resumed in the heavy (10) going when a plugging sixth over 1200m in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas at the Sunshine Coast on May 11. Comes to hand quickly and expected to figure in the finish from the good gate. Hollywood Hero (1) will appreciate the sharp drop in grade after charging late from the wide gate when fourth in The Coast over 1600m at Newcastle on May 11. Has the figures to play a leading role.
Tip: Backing Ivan's Hero each way at $15/$4.80 with tab.com.au
RANDWICK BEST BETS
Best of the Day: Race 9 # Semillion at $4.60 with tab.com.au*
Value play: Race 11 # Ivan's Hero at $15 with tab.com.au*
*All odds correct at 3pm, 6/6/24
