Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

It’s back to town we go after 3 weeks around the provincial circuit. Hardly a great welcome though with a heavy (9) rated track on Thursday morning & a further 20 – 100mm possible before a dry Saturday, unfortunately by that stage the damage will be done, look for the ‘swimmers’! We kick things off with a 2yo race where there’s very little solid wet track form. I’m leaning to (2) REGULATED AFFAIR who found the line strongly on debut (1100m), he was then versatile enough to handle a drop back to 1000m at his second start & win on a soft (6), 1200m now looks ideal. (3) SEQUISTA brings the classy form finishing close up in a Group 2 last start behind a very smart filly. No knock (5) AGARWOOD whilst plenty of respect for the newcomer (6) PROVIDENCE.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

To the Midway where I’m with the very consistent (5) FLYING EMBERS who has plenty of upside. She’s tasted defeat only once this prep & that was two back when narrowly missing the winner late at Canterbury. She’s ticked the heavy track box & with the claim scores a nice weight drop here. Danger looks to be (1) HELLFIRE EXPRESS who clearly does his best work on wet ground & will be peaking third run back. (11) STRAWBERRY IMPACT a place chance.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 11 – 9

Suggested Bet: FLYING EMBERS EACH-WAY.


RACE 3

As is the norm another highly competitive looking Midway. The lightly raced (4) SHROPSHIRE LAD resumed with a strong Scone win last Friday after sitting very deep in the run, his only failure did come here however there were excuses & drawn out deep today may end up a blessing. (12) BAKHITA is another to draw out however could be the best wet tracker in the race, good, strong winner first up on a heavy (9), last couple on soft very sound. (11) CHEMTRAIL next best.

Numbers: 4 – 12 – 11 – 16

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

(5) HURSTVILLE ZAGREB missed out marginally first up at Gosford after tracking a wide course, he strips fitter & is a heavy (8) track winner. Suggest from the draw Zac Lloyd will have options. Big watch on the Kiwi (3) SHE’S A DEALER who has won her last couple across the across the ditch, in extremely good hands & note both have been on soft ground. (4) DUVANA should be ready to peak third run back, second try out to this trip, the first was in Group 3 company which we can forgive him for,

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 5

(1) SHAHZAD found himself on a heavy (8) track at the Gold Coast last start & he relished it. Only second up in a hot form stable he dashed away early in the straight to score & note there was a big gap back to the third placed runner. Fitter, further & wetter all seem positives, happy to back him each-way. The Victorian visitor (10) WUDDZZ excels on wet ground, he’s in great form & is proven out to this longer trip. Don’t rule out (16) ST. VINCENTS GARDEN should he gain a start; wet track may be what he’s looking for.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 16 – 7

Suggested Bet: SHAHZAD EACH-WAY (small bet).


RACE 6

(5) EPIC PROPORTIONS ran well first up beaten only by the winner. He stays at the same grade today, drops back 100m (ok) & will carry 1.5kg less thanks to Anna Roper’s claim, hard to beat. Big watch on the returning (2) SOUTH OF INDIA who has won twice fresh in the past, trials have been good & is 3 from 3 on soft yet to see anything worse. (12) STROM THE RAMPARTS ticks the main boxes whilst the highly rated southern visitor (4) GRAND LARCENY has the right form just not on heavy ground, concern.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 12 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 7

I’ll tip (8) ZAPHOD again here which I seem to do just about every time he goes around & he’s yet let me down albeit mostly without winning. Terrific first up he was just outgunned by the fitter Les Vampires who went on to land the Gosford Cup at his next outing. He loves the wet (8) ZAPHOD & can go one better here. Ex Kiwi (6) COLLECT YOUR CASH pulled out plenty with the big weight last start which is so typical of the stable, down 3kg here with Anna Roper’s claim & enjoys the damp ground. (5) BEAR ON THE LOOSE judging by his form is really a wet tracker, he’ll get conditions to suit today. (4) SIR CHARTWELL a market watch.

Numbers: 8 – 6 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet: ZAPHOD EACH-WAY.


RACE 8

(3) GREEN FLY ran right over the top of his rivals to score first up before just too far out of his ground the latest. Freshened up his wet track record speaks for itself; suggest he’ll prove very hard to hold out. (13) RAPT has ability however she can really mix her form, heavy track record is a good one she could figure in this finish without any surprise. (6) COOL JAKEY continues to race well.

Numbers: 3 – 13 – 6 – 12

Suggested Bet: GREEN FLY EACH-WAY.


RACE 9

I’m sure I’ve sworn off (5) KING OF ROSEAU at least once however here I am tipping him on top here. My thoughts are he could be a swimmer as his soft track record is very consistent & his good track record very average. A very heavy track could be what he’s been waiting for. The very lightly raced pair (7) HIYAAM PROUD & (18) SPIONE show good promise & have performed well on wet ground to date, include both. (6) CRUEL SUMMER is the mudlark & racing in top form at present.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 18 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 10

To the last, it’s going to be very wet by this stage. (3) DRIFT NET hasn’t exactly been the punters best friend & his winning strike rate backs that up however he is very consistent placing on 11 occasions. His best form has clearly been on rain affected ground & he just might be able to make it two in a row here. Victorian raider (6) SHE’S PRETTY RICH gets through all types of going & was strong on pace at Caulfield, should she be able to get across from the wide gate she’s right in this. (13) MISS KIM KAR shouldn’t be left out, really looking for this trip now.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 13 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

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