3 minute read

After recording his first win since arriving in Australia, expect Opinion to go on with things in the Listed Randwick City Stakes.

The UK import after a fair first up effort relished rising in distance and the softer footing on offer last start when dominating the Parramatta Cup.

A fortnight later, Opinion contests the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) where the five-year-old appears perfectly suited after his latest winning effort.

Opinion’s Parramatta Cup victory came in as a career best effort for the son of Oasis Dream which yielded a Timeform rating of 114.

It sits three pounds clear of his prior master figure and has seemingly turned a corner for trainer Chris Waller and connections.

Third up and rising in distance, Opinion should be open to further improvement.

Opinion’s main danger from both a market and rating’s perspective is Junoob who he defeated by three lengths in the Parramatta Cup.

While Junoob meets his well fancied stablemate on better weight terms, Opinion earlier in his campaign seemingly takes greater upside into this contest.

Opposition in the Randwick City Stakes appears lacking.

Three runners sit noticeably outside of the handicap while rivals such as Bayrir, Tanby and Tremec have been racing well below their best for some time.

Form out of the Parramatta Cup has held up through subsequent Canberra Cup winner Jacquinot Bay.

All signs point to Opinion early on the program.

Despite two dominant wins so far this campaign, Appearance is currently considered only an each way chance in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

The mare has produced an electric turn of foot in overpowering her rivals when taking out both the Expressway Stakes (1200m) and the Apollo Stakes (1400m).

The Canterbury Stakes will be her toughest assignment this campaign however in saying that, does appear well suited.

Rain Affair will string the field out setting a strong tempo and Appearance will have the final shot at them.

Expect the mare to settle back off a hot tempo and be charging home.

Not Listenin’tome and Zoustar are very exciting three-year-olds and hold the top two spots in betting for the $500,000 contest.

Each way odds on offer about Appearance are appealing though.

Appearance is proven as an older horse while her track and third up credentials are also encouraging.

The nine race program at Randwick commences with the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

It looks a wide open contest however early markets currently have the Gai Waterhouse-trained Giuliani a clear cut $2.50 favourite.

The colt ran second on debut behind Unencumbered last October and looked sharp in winning a 740m Randwick trial late last month.

On disclosed form however, Giuliani doesn’t rate well on weight adjusted Timeform figures.

While Giuliani has a boom on him, there isn’t enough evidence available to justify his short odds.

Gold Force, Time For War and Valentia won their latest outings and the trio all can go on with the job.

The latter possesses race fitness after his last start win and it could prove vital if the track is a testing one after anticipated rain between now and Saturday.

SYDNEY SPECIALS

Banker: R3, #4 Opinion @ $2.20

Lay Of The Day: R1, #5 Giuliani @ $2.50