Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick, another 4 x Group 1’s plus an outstanding support card. Track should be in the Soft/Good range. The day gets underway with the Listed Fernhill for the 2yo’s stepping out to a mile where I’m with (2) POLISH PLAYGIRL who looked a little unlucky at Flemington when held up, once into the clear the first two had gone well past & had all the momentum, she had to get going & did a good job to get within 0.8L of the winner on the line. She maps well today & can give a good kick in the straight. (4) MICHELANGELO gives the impression he’ll relish the mile, certainly caught the eye last start running home well. (1) TUPAKARA amongst the chances, just needs to find the line a little more strongly, the step up in trip may suit.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet: POLISH PLAYGIRL TO WIN/Saver MICHELANGELO

RACE 2

Have to say we do have a lack of depth in this Listed race, a shock result wouldn’t surprise one bit. I’m going with the debutante maiden winner (11) MERIDIANA who looked good to the eye winning here on the Kensington track last month. Yes, this is a BIG step up in class however she’s in a good yard who place their horses well, John Sargent wouldn’t be running her here if he didn’t feel she was up to the task. (5) NOSTRINGSATTACHED is going along very well down south, wore down the leader last start to bring up the hat-trick, cannot knock. Include (1) PISCES who on his best form would give this a definite shake.

Numbers: 11 – 5 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet:  Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

The Provincial Midway Championships Final brings together many different form lines from right across the state. Have to be with the likely favourite (1) MATCHA LATTE who just looks to be peaking at exactly the right time. Narrowly beaten fresh he then never looked like being run down last start, note he ran 2 Group 3 placings prior, that’s outstanding form for a provincial level race such as this. (2) LORD OF BISCAY narrowly beaten last start after racing wide gets a much better gate today plus J. Mac. (11) RAPT can place.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 11 – 5

Suggested Bet:  MATCHA LATTE TO WIN (small bet)

RACE 4

Two horse race in my opinion & I’m sure most will see things similarly with (2) TEMPTED & (5) INKARUNA the fillies to beat. I’ll be backing both however when it comes to tipping unfortunately I can’t sit on the fence. I was with (2) TEMPTED in the Reisling & again in the Slipper where we all can agree she was extremely unlucky not to win (held up). The wide draw isn’t ideal however it’s not the end of the world either & she’ll be ripping down the outside, I’ll stick. (5) INKARUNA also comes through the Reisling when also very good running on strongly, she draws the better gate & will get the softer run, note she hasn’t raced for a month however has trialled well in between. (1) WITHIN THE LAW & (7) SAVVY HALLIE next best.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet:  TEMPTED & INKARUNA TO WIN

RACE 5

(8) AUTUMN GLOW is going to start a very short-priced favourite here & although I’ll put her on top, I would prefer to see her stepping up in distance. She wore down Enriched (also engaged here) first up however was under plenty of pressure to do so before pulling clear late, she did her best work over the latter stages of the race. She’s unbeaten, has the lethal trainer/jockey combo though & I’m certainly leaning her way however she may not win in the fashion of her market price? (3) ENRICHED can once again fill a placing whilst (1) PRIVATE LIFE, (2) PUBLIC ATTENTION & (3) GATSBY’S are all in the mix also.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet: She’s very short AUTUMN GLOW, perhaps box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 6

Only a small field to go around in the first of our Group 1’s this afternoon, the Australian Oaks. It’s impossible to tip against (2) TREASURE THE MOMENT who is looking to bring up the VRC/ATC Oaks double & on what she’s done since that win she shouldn’t have any problem getting it done, she’ll derive plenty of benefit from the Vinery win which was her first going this way around. Really there’s no boxes in this race she hasn’t already ticked. Should she have an off day the Kiwi filly (1) LEICA LUCY who won her home country Oaks last start & the rapidly improving (5) BELLE DETELLE look to be next best.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet: TREASURE THE MOMENT TO WIN, exotics with 1, 5 & 8 to place.

RACE 7

The only factor which may throw a spanner into the works of the flying (8) ALALCANCE is another runner pushing forward & taking her on, should that happen Tim Clark will likely just take a sit & she’ll end up winning anyway. Whilst she’s been dominant her past couple she has been gifted very soft sectionals in front, I’m not tipping against her though as most of the horses she’s been beating (easily) she meets again today & better at the weights. (1) DUKE DE SESSA is new to this trip however brings plenty of class, must include. (6) ZARDOZI wasn’t far away in last year’s Melbourne Cup, no worries about her running the trip. (15) BIRDMAN was a lot better last time, (18) STRATHAY & (5) ATHABASCAN have claims, they seem to always be running on.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 6 – 15

Suggested Bet: ALALCANCE TO WIN ($2.50 or better)

RACE 8

Our best (12) VIA SISTINA takes on one of the world’s best in (1) DUBAI HONOUR here in the rich Group 1 Queen Elizabeth. As good as he is (1) DUBAI HONOUR the drop back from his 2400m Tancred win to the 2000m trip today isn’t an easy task particularly with the champion mare in the field. She’ll be right at her peak here (12) VIA SISTINA & can make amends for last year when chasing home the flying Pride Of Jenni in vain. Certainly including (5) TOM KITTEN & (7) BUCKEROO who both will be suited by the step up in distance, just thought TOM was a little flat in the Doncaster last week & is now looking for this trip.

Numbers: 12 – 1 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 9

Final Group 1 of the day is the Queen Of The Turf for the fillies & mares where last week’s Doncaster winner Stefi Magnetica backs up. (1) FANGIRL the one for me, she’s been outstanding all prep accounting for her illustrious stablemate fresh before having the tables turned second up, she was extremely stiff in the George Ryder covering ground, that won’t be the case today. Stablemate (12) LAZZURA I was keen to take on last start & if not for being held-up would have had egg all over my face as she was extremely unlucky. No knock (2) STEFI MAGNETICA, (3) ATISHU is more than capable however the drop back 400m in distance may work against.

Numbers: 1 – 12 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet: FANGIRL TO WIN.

RACE 10

Very keen on the chances of (5) COMMEMORATIVE in this final race & the wide gate doesn’t concern me one bit. She sat deep to win here two back coming with a strong finish at Group 3 level before tackling the Group 1 Galaxy last start where nothing went right. She blew the start, was then held up in the straight never really getting much of crack at them, amazingly her sectionals home weren’t that far off last week’s Group 1 T. J. winner Briasa’s. She’s a big mare who needs space & she’ll get plenty of that from the draw. (3) OLENTIA the logical danger should there be one, classy mare close up all three runs this time in. The speedy (8) AUSTMARR next best.

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet: COMMEMORATIVE TO WIN.

Market Market




Recent Articles