Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

What a cracking day of racing we have to look forward to at Randwick on Saturday with the likes of Autumn Glow, Apocalyptic & Joliestar all resuming. Weather fine, track good, bring it on! We get underway with an 1800m Highway where (8) WARRIOR FOR PEACE should be ready to peak third run back from a break. Beaten small margins both starts this prep & arguably should have finished closer the latest if not for enduring a chequered run home. Yes, he will need gaps off that inside draw however should they come, look out! King of the Highway’s Matt Dunn brings (2) SILENT CALL south off a solid Ipswich win last start, distance is a query, will need a few things to pan out particularly the wide draw. Ditto (1) LIKE LUKEY.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

Short, sharp 1000m Midway where the resuming (1) MAL COUPLE is well fancied in early markets. Found this a very tough race to sort & have landed on (8) ZARAGOZA with no real confidence. His form at this level has been consistent though having finished close up 2 of his past 3 & this looks to be his right trip. J. Mac rides (1) MAL COUPLE who is yet to place at 4 dry track outings, form has all been on wet ground, concerning. (6) SHAGGY was better last start however need to see him produce something positive once again before suggesting he might be back to something near his better form.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

More 2yo’s en route to hopefully Golden Slipper Glory, is the winner in this field? Probably not however you never know. (7) BETTER BY FAR was sent around an odds-on favourite when debuting at Scone, parked out 4 deep the trip she gave plenty in the straight only being run down late. Yes, this is a tougher race no doubt however the effort was a good one & her trial prior certainly impressed to the eye. (4) MISS CHANEL will be very well fancied, both runs solid without winning & this is no harder. (5) CIARON’S STAR was good on debut whilst (9) SEQUINNED was never in the clear also on debut climbing over rivals backs in the straight, well in the market who knows what she had to offer.

Numbers: 7 – 4 – 5 – 9

Suggested Bet: BETTER BY FAR EACH-WAY.


RACE 4

Very open race. The in-form (4) SOVEREIGN HILL will be very well found having won both outings this prep & in dominant fashion. He needs to successfully rise 3kg to 59.5kg if he is to bring up the hat trick & I’m not convinced he can. The resuming (16) PICTOR draws poorly however is only lightly raced & in the right hands, good enough to take south for a run at Flemington in Listed grade over the Cup Carnival where he wound up a close fourth, market? (15) ARABIAN ROSE strikes much tougher grade today however her effort at the Sunshine Coast was terrific last start against the race tempo, will be big odds however well worth including in exotics.

Numbers: 16 – 4 – 15 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 5

(10) CROSS TASMAN was narrowly beaten when up in grade to this level last start however I doubt he lost many admirers. The step up in distance to a mile looks very suitable & with an ounce of luck from an awkward draw I’d suggest he can go one better. No luck for (9) IT’S A KNOCKOUT first up during the Magic Millions carnival posted off the track throughout, that won’t be the case here, she can bounce back in a big way. (2) HELLSING backs up off a good run last week whilst (17) CHANGING COLOURS not without some chance either.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 2 – 17

Suggested Bet: CROSS TASMAN TO WIN.


RACE 6

First of our feature races this afternoon is the Light Fingers at Group 2 level. (1) APOCALYPTIC is the class act of the field & I’m firmly in her corner to return a winner. Drawn the pole gate Tommy Berry will have her well positioned to strike in the straight. (2) SAVVY HALLIE will strip fitter for the first up run on the Gold Coast, placed behind APOCALYPTIC two back, does look the clear second pick. (4) KARINKSKA will be running on whilst (6) QUEEN OF CLUBS will also be doing her best work late.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: APOCALYPTIC TO WIN.


RACE 7

The Group 2 Expressway sees a clash between the very smart pair (1) ANGEL CAPITAL & (3) JOLIESTAR who both have outstanding first up records. I’ll lean to the latter who has taken on stronger opposition overall however I doubt there is a great deal between them & both have trialled well. (1) ANGEL CAPITAL is unbeaten 4 from 4 fresh, arguably wins the Group 1 Rupert Clark second up last prep with room to move earlier sooner. (5) CABALLUS who bolted in a recent trial & the classy mare (4) LADY SHENANDOAH next best.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet: JOLIESTAR TO WIN.


RACE 8

The Group 2 Apollo sees the return of the unbeaten mare (7) AUTUMN GLOW who will be looking to make it 9 from 9, taking on a bunch of rivals who mostly will be looking for further it’s hard to see her being beaten. She ticks every single box that I can see bar her odds, you won’t be getting much of a price about her. Stablemate (9) AELIANA kicked off her spring prep in good fashion behind Via Sistina, no win on the board for the campaign however there’s no doubting her class, gut feel is she’s in for a big autumn. (8) STEFI MAGNETICA in the place mix.

Numbers: 7 – 9 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet: AUTUMN GLOW TO WIN.


RACE 9

The Group 3 Triscay for the mares. I’m a fan of (1) LAZZURA & she goes on top first up from a break. She won the Show County followed by the Let’s Elope down south her first 2 starts last prep then disappeared for a month before turning in a very flat effort in the Toorak, she just didn’t seem to have the same dash after the gap in runs. A couple of easy trials should see her ready to let rip here. (2) MANAAL is a class act, she was in cracking form last prep & will be primed, logical danger. (4) WEEPING WOMAN & (3) GERRINGONG place chances.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet: LAZZURA TO WIN.


RACE 10

Good competitive looking race to wind up the big day. (2) BUNKER HUT has gone up at appealing odds in opening markets, can’t help but thinks he’s overs for a horse with a good fresh record drawn a favourable gate. (12) POLYMNIA has a touch of class & gets J. Mac to steer from a favourable alley, another resuming she’s been very competitive in much stronger races than this. (7) ALTHOFF has race fitness on both & winning form also, wouldn’t be leaving out.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 7 – 17

Suggested Bet: BUNKER HUT EACH-WAY (small bet).

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