Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

A 1400m Midway kicks off another huge day of racing. Going to lean to the second up BYRON BELLE who did a good job fresh after sitting wide the trip. She contested stronger races last prep with the highlight being a 5th in the Group 1 Vinery Stud. She’ll appreciate the step up in distance & should run well. STRAIT ACER draws to gain another good trip just as he did last start, negative is the drop back to 1400m. BACKROWER in the mix.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 2

CENTRE BOUNCE gets the nod in this week’s Highway. All three runs this time in have been solid efforts the latest here beating all bar the very impressive Derry Grove who won by a space. Zac Lloyd jumps on here from the good draw & should give this one every chance. WIZARD OF OZ the danger, looks very close & should be peaking third up. SUNGBLUE not hopeless, everything that could go wrong last start did!

Numbers: 14 – 2 – 4 – 17

Suggested Bet: CENTRE BOUNCE TO WIN (small bet)

RACE 3

Going to stick with WAVERIDER BUOY who just keeps on running good seconds, the latest at Caulfield when closing well (again) however unable to get past the winner late. She’s a safe each-way bet. OJAI has only won 1 of 4 tries first up however I liked her recent trial, no surprise to see her run a race today. Can’t knock DANCING ALONE, definite acid test however she can only win & has been doing plenty of that.

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: WAVERIDER BUOY EACH-WAY

RACE 4

Having a ‘throw at the stumps’ with AL AABIR who turned in a cracking first up run at Doomben a fortnight ago. Totally unsuited by the distance & gate he settled last before unleashing late over the 1350m trip. Interestingly the stable has elected to head south & tackle a stronger race, that suggests he’s going well. TARAZAL has won both starts this time in, both here & over the mile trip. Given a freshen up should run well. Can’t sack MISSION PHOENIX who needs the step up to a mile & gets it today.

Numbers: 3 – 12 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: AL AABIR EACH-WAY (small bet)

RACE 5

Without doubt she faces a tougher task today however the impressive nature of VERONA’s last start romp has me firmly in her corner today. Obviously she was after the longer trip really relishing the 2400m just rounding up her rivals in the straight before racing away. She did that with 59kg, today she’s down to 54kg. MOSTLY CLOUDY is a model of consistency, he just can’t crack it for a win! Hobart Cup winner MILITARY MISSION has come back in good order, right in this third-up.

Numbers: 10 – 13 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet: VERONA TO WIN

RACE 6

In my opinion CIGAR FLICK is definite overs in this Group 2 feature. She was beaten just over half a length behind TIZ INVINCIBLE in the Rosebud here 3 weeks ago charging home between runners in a race which didn’t suit at all tempo wise. Yes, she meets that runner worse at the weights today however the additional 100m is a definite positive as is the favourable draw. KIMOCHI rattled home in the Silver Shadow, lightly raced with a ton of upside. TIZ INVINCIBLE & AUTUMN BALLET both definite chances.

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet: CIGAR FLICK EACH-WAY

RACE 7

The Group 3 Concorde sees the return of Nature Strip, he kicks off his fifth Everest campaign right here & now. Going with BELLA NIPOTINA who clocked in 3rd first up last prep behind Coolangatta in the Group 1 Newmarket, she draws a perfect gate & is in the right hands. I’m not sacking NATURE STRIP who didn’t run up to his best form both runs last prep, perhaps the trip overseas took it out of him? Lead up trials have been good. IN SECRET the other definite hope, will be very strong late.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 5 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 8

There’s more than one going around in this race I’ve ‘sin binned’ which helps narrow down my main chances. Going to have something each-way DUAIS who only had the two starts last prep over 2000 & 2200m running well in both beaten only small margins. Her first up run in the Winx Stakes here recently was a solid closing effort, fitter & with the additional 200m can run well. THINK IT OVER clearly the hardest to beat, terrific first up off such a long layoff, just a class galloper. HINGED in the mix also.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 12 – 11

Suggested Bet: DUAIS EACH-WAY (small bet)

RACE 9

As much as I liked OLENTIA’s first up win I’m not sure I could take a short price about her here. Going to stick with the first up winner PERICLES who should again score a tidy run in transit. That was the case fresh when just holding on to win narrowly. His form last prep in strong races should stand him in good stead here. OLENTIA definitely a winning chance, happy to have something on should she get out a little to say $3 plus. HOPE IN YOUR HEART has the form, just wasn’t wrapped in her trials.

Numbers: 4 – 16 – 12 – 17

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 10

He’s been a little costly of late GARZA BLANCA however I’ll stick with him here for very likely the final time should he not win. Held up when resuming he finished off well when clear however the winner had a head full of steam up & was off & gone. That winner was Smashing Eagle who should have won again last Saturday. Big watch on the ex-Kiwi SALTCOATS now with Chris Waller, trials very good expect him to be steaming home. No knock the very consistent TIME TO BOOGIE.

Numbers: 8 – 15 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet: GARZA BLANCA TO WIN/SAVER SALTCOATS

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