Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

Group 1 Winx Stakes Day opens with a 1200m Midway. I’m with the second up NINGALOO STAR who comes out of the same grade race run at Rosehill two weeks back when closing well into 3rd spot. Note the first 3 in the run that day finished in the first 4 with NINGALOO being the exception. The additional 100m definitely suits & she’ll carry no more weight. FIELD WIRI’s past couple in Brisbane have been good enough to figure here & the weight drop is a plus. Down the bottom UNWRITTEN & SUPER BRIGHT will be running on as they tend to do.

Numbers: 7 – 11 – 16 – 15

Suggested Bet: NINGALOO STAR EACH-WAY


RACE 2

MISS KIRRIBILLI returns from a break here with a good first up record to her name. She’s had the three lead up barrier trials with the first two average before winning clearly at the latest. Her two runs last prep were both good in this grade & she’ll appreciate the sting out of the ground. SUNGBLUE races on speed & is consistent, he doesn’t win out of turn however is rarely far away, include if not a significant market drifter. DERRY GROVE is also consistent, plenty of weight though which is my concern.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 1 – 12

Suggested Bet: MISS KIRRIBILLI EACH-WAY


RACE 3

MARTIAL EAGLE lines up for start number four this prep & judging by his form back in the UK the step up to 2400m is going to suit. Although never a winning chance he did chase a smart one home at Flemington last start & this is certainly no harder. The consistent KIRKEBY is never far from the action & that’s likely the case again here even with the big weight, a win & placing his past couple out to this trip. INTUITU beat nothing of note in Brisbane last start however he’s improving with each run.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: MARTIAL EAGLE WIN BET


RACE 4

Happy to be with FOR VICTORY on an each-way basis this race. An ex-French galloper he caught the eye late running home at Rosehill last start in a race which was dominated by on speed runners. Fitter & better suited up to the mile here he’s certainly in the right hands & should run well. Freshened up QUEENMAKER can run a race, very consistent last prep. The two heroes, HOLLYWOOD & IVAN’S can figure again.

Numbers: 15 – 9 – 12 – 13

Suggested Bet: FOR VICTORY EACH-WAY


RACE 5

Good race at Group 3 level. Taking a punt on EXTREMELY LUCKY who is ex Will Clarken now with Chris Waller. His first up record is excellent however the unknown here is the 1200m, the way he hits the line suggests it won’t be a problem & his initial trial behind I Am Me was very good beating home the likes of Fangirl & Olentia under a firm grip. If there’s money for him I’ll follow it. BUENOS NOCHES is all class; out of the placings both runs last prep however they were Group 1’s & he wasn’t far away. ARGENTIA a bit of an eye-catcher first up.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 6 – 7

Suggested Bet: EXTREMELY LUCKY TO WIN (if stays solid in the market)


RACE 6

First Australian defeat for FAWKNER PARK last start at Rosehill however the run was still a good one. He was having his first run for 5 weeks back 600m in distance when running home well against the tempo of the race. Rising to the 2000m he does face stronger opposition however he’s well up to the challenge & can overcome the wide gate. CLEVELAND resumes off a very ordinary run in the Sydney Cup back in April, he’s a lot better than that as his Tancred run first up suggests. KING FRANKEL ran 3rd in that Tancred & did win the Paramatta Cup (1900m), first up last prep.

Numbers: 14 – 2 – 1 – 12

Suggested Bet: FAWKNER PARK TO WIN


RACE 7

Very competitive looking race. I’m with the speedy QUEEN OF THE BALL who was narrowly beaten first up over this trip last preparation. She’s drawn well suggesting she’ll take up a prominent spot & her trial form leading in is first rate having run second to Alligator Blood before beating Nature Strip! PARISAL will have been set for this race without any doubt, trial form good, first up form good, barrier unfortunately not so good, will need luck. ZOUGOTCHA won’t be far away, another with a wide alley though.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics (small bets)


RACE 8

First Group 1 of the new racing season & I’m with FANGIRL who has run 4 seconds over her last two preps with 3 of those behind Anamoe, the other behind I Wish I Win in the Golden Eagle. Those two are out of the picture here, she holds a good first up record & with the rain now clearing we should be back to no worse than a soft (6) surface for this race, any wetter than that I’d suggest she’s a risk. ZAAKI resumes, he’ll be up on speed, he handles any type of going & his lead up trial was good, disappointed his final Queensland run however we know he’s better than that. KING COLORADO the interesting runner with the light weight, massive rise in grade however the stable has hit the ground running this season.

Numbers: 13 – 2 – 17 – 7

Suggested Bet: FANGIRL TO WIN (track no worse than soft 6)


RACE 9

Some really nice fillies going around in this Group 2 feature, plenty of winning form amongst them. Going with the resuming KRISTILLI who hit the line strongly on debut before again solid late when too good at Group 2 level prior to spelling. Her recent trial was good enough to suggest she’ll put in a forward showing here. ESTRIELLA has the fitness edge & gave plenty when run down late second start, have to think she’ll measure up ok here. PLATINUM JUBILEE also resumes, wouldn’t undersell her fresh.

Numbers: 2 – 11 – 3 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics


RACE 10

There’s no obvious excuse for PACIFIC RUBY’s under par run last start when well backed finishing out of the placings. She’d won 5 straight prior, with a break under her belt & J.Mac engaged to ride I’d suggest she can bounce back to her best in a big way. TIME TO BOOGIE is racing very well, either won or run second his past 6 starts, wants a drying track & a little luck. Ditto KING OF NAPLES.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 4 – 13

Suggested Bet: PACIFIC RUBY TO WIN

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