Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

We race at Randwick on Saturday, plenty of stars stepping out later in the day, track will be good which is pleasing. The day gets underway with a mile Midway where I’ll lean to (4) MONKHANA who maps ideally here parked up on a likely soft tempo. Rises basically nothing in weight off a recent consistent run of form & the drop back 200m is ideal. (2) KINGSTON CHARM strips fitter whilst (6) AGITA was good at this level last start.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet: MONKHANA TO WIN.


RACE 2

Keen on the chances of (3) PETTICOAT who flies fresh, absolutely bolted in when resuming last prep at the Gold Coast & then went on to race very well in quality grade. A trial win & placing should have her ready to go first up. (15) SOCIAL CIRCLE has only had the two provincial starts for as many wins with both being in dominant fashion. She’s led on each occasion, not sure that will be the case here however she won’t be far away & Zac Lloyd to ride is a positive pointer. (13) SPARKLENGLITTER is another who is yet to taste defeat, awkward alley however they can win these from wide gates & her trial win was impressive.

Numbers: 3 – 15 – 13 – 11

Suggested Bet: PETTICOAT TO WIN.


RACE 3

Can’t tip against (2) DISNECK who was arguably a ‘good thing beaten’ at Rosehill 3 weeks ago. The jock just couldn’t get a decent crack at them in the straight racing very tight before gaining clear running too late. Should be peaking third-up & gets J. Mac to steer off a good gate. Monitor market moves around the resuming (5) GUMDROPS who ran some nice races last prep in stronger company than this. (12) HUSK is another who didn’t have the best of luck last start.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 12 – 4

Suggested Bet: DISNECK EACH-WAY.


RACE 4

Big field which will be cut back to a max of 14 post scratchings, at this stage a very interesting & competitive race. I’m a fan of the mare (11) POLYMNIA who resumes today off a solid autumn prep where she placed at Group 1 & 3 level immediately after bolting in her maiden. She hit the line well in her latest trial & has a good fresh record. (15) DOMINETTA has had the one run back & she wasn’t far from the winner, rise to 1400m definitely a plus for her. (14) DANCE TO THE BOOM didn’t fire first up, jury out in my opinion needs to stand up here.

Numbers: 11 – 15 – 14 – 13

Suggested Bet: POLYMNIA EACH-WAY.


RACE 5

(3) VAUBAN is a class act & the runner to beat here. He’s been around in 2 Melbourne Cups, placed in a Tancred & resumed with a very tidy effort in the Chelmsford here recently. (11) ELAMAZ is yet to miss a first or second placing within his 8 starts here & in Europe. He holds the perfect record in Australia winning at Listed level during the winter before sent straight to the paddock with richer spring targets in mind, McDonald to ride is interesting however very positive. (17) HALF YOURS was excellent at Rosehill running on, further suits, bit of an acid test here. (12) BIRDMAN is a hard one to catch however both runs this prep good as were his lead-up trials, a big run here would not surprise.

Numbers: 3 – 11 – 17 – 12

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 6

The Group 2 Tea Rose consists of fillies who mostly went around in the Furious here a fortnight back won by (1) APOCALYPTIC. The tempo in that race was solid suiting the off pacers suggesting those who did finish strongly will require todays rise to 1400m to show their best. I have to side with APOCALYPTIC who should really be unbeaten at her 2 starts, she was held up badly & a good thing beaten on debut before a decent spell reappearing in that strong to the line Furious win. (2) TUPAKARA wasn’t far away from her also hitting the line well. A couple who will lap up 1400m & likely further down the track are (6) QUEEN OF CLUBS & (7) KARINSKA.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 6 – 7

Suggested Bet: APOCALYPTIC TO WIN.


RACE 7

(17) ROYAL PATRONAGE resumes with a good fresh record. Last prep when fresh he raced on speed & landed the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes before a couple of strong efforts in the George Ryder & Doncaster Handicap. The gate is the concern here however if Tim Clark can get him across without using too much petrol he’ll take plenty of running down. (9) MCHALE zoomed home fresh, well drawn with J. Mac to steer he’s right in the finish again. (4) BOSUSTOW next best, very honest sprinter who was good in the Stradbroke.

Numbers: 17 – 9 – 4 – 15

Suggested Bet: ROYAL PATRONAGE/MCHALE TO WIN.


RACE 8

I’m all over (11) FANGIRL here however I’m guessing I won’t be alone. Sent south for her return at Caulfield in the Group 1 Memsie she ran well without a lot in her favour & that track does have a habit of finding out visitors from the north. Back to Randwick which she loves on a surface she relishes she ticks all the boxes. (1) CEOLWULF wasn’t suited in the Chelmsford, his sectionals home were very good, we can’t sack him on that although he’d prefer this to be further. (3) PRIVATE EYE, (5) GRINGOTTS & (6) LINDERMANN next best.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: FANGIRL TO WIN.


RACE 9

The Group 2 Shorts is worthy of Group 1 status this year with a crack field to do battle. It’s (2) PRIVATE HARRY & (4) JOLIESTAR for me however there’s without doubt a couple of others who can provide very stiff opposition. (2) PRIVATE HARRY only had the single start last prep when taking on open Group 1 company for the first time in the Galaxy, up on a hot speed he put his rivals away in the straight in what was a dominant win in super time. His trials have been very good (bolting in – no pressure) & he’s going to be in front of (4) JOLIESTAR in the run, we know she’s a star however how can she run him down when he finishes his races as quickly as he starts them! (1) BRIASA was very good in that Galaxy also from a wide draw before winning the T. J Smith, he’s very smart.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet: PRIVATE HARRY TO WIN.


RACE 10

Although I have (5) LORD PENMAN firmly in the blackbook off his first up run it was 5 weeks ago & here he is rising 400m. I know I shouldn’t be questioning the stable however I just couldn’t take the price on offer early with that concern. In a tough race I’ll have something small (6) POCKETING who hit the line well first up at Eagle Farm over an unsuitable 1200m. Don’t mind the rise to 1600m for him, in fact he’d likely appreciate even further. (4) FULLY LIT is back in form & should be included.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 4 – 1

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

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