Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Monster day of racing ahead kicking off with the St Leger which a long time ago would have been one of the feature events, times have certainly changed. Going with the consistent KALAPOUR to kick things off on a winning note. No doubting his Metrop 3rd is good enough however I liked his Newcastle Cup effort as well where although out of the placings he was holding CLEVELAND late who looks one of his main dangers here. BIG market watch on the UK visitor LAND LEGEND.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet: KALAPOUR TO WIN

RACE 2

Difficult race. GARZA BLANCA is the obvious for me as I’ve been with him his past few starts being reduced to tears of both joy & sadness. He’s got plenty of weight to carry here which doesn’t overly excite however I can’t settle on anything to beat him. With form around Smashing Eagle & Kibou & drawn ok he gets his chance to win again. Awkward gate for IVAN’S HERO however he’s rarely far away, just needs a touch of luck early on.

Numbers: 5 – 13 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

Can’t get past the first up win from ARCTIC GLAMOUR who although beating inferior rivals did so in hugely impressive fashion. She joined in near the 200m & just careered away with jockey Kerrin McEvoy sitting up for a photo on the line, she looked to have plenty left under the bonnet & can successfully take the step up in grade. KUNDALINI ran well in the Millenium & resumed with a solid midweek effort, fitter & appeals. JOLIESTAR also fitter second up & in the right hands.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: ARCTIC GLAMOUR TO WIN

RACE 4

Sticking with TOM KITTEN here who will gain a much softer run than last start having drawn a favourable gate. He was off & running from the 800m & chased hard all the way to the line, the two that beat him home GANBARE & PUSHY had kinder runs settling in the first four. He will also appreciate the step up in distance & keep in mind he was 3 weeks between runs on that occasion. SNOWMAN has form around last week’s impressive Flemington winner Riff Rocket, must include. Don’t be surprised to see a sharp improvement out of TANNHAUSER.

Numbers: 3 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: TOM KITTEN TO WIN

RACE 5

Usual quality line up to go around in the Kosciuszko where the resuming OPAL RIDGE went up a short priced favourite. It’s hard to tip against her, she’s 3 from 3 fresh, has won here over the trip & her most recent efforts have been close-up in a Group 1 & 2! If you’re not keen on taking a short quote the two that have been eye-catchers of late are FAR TOO EASY & DERRY GROVE, the former owns a big finish, the later has won his past two here with a leg in the air, yes, they were easier races however he couldn’t do any more than win.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 12 – 8

Suggested Bet: OPAL RIDGE TO WIN/SAVER’S FAR TOO EASY & DERRY GROVE

RACE 6

He’s way up in grade here & gets no advantage at the weights however AIRMAN really impressed me last start just jogging into the race which wasn’t run to suit before cruising clear & clocking slick sectionals in the process. Huge step up in grade however his trainer was extremely bullish post-race suggesting he could well be their next stable star. BELLA NIPOTINA & I AM ME have the right form however not the right gates, where will they end up?

Numbers: 11 – 13 – 15 – 1

Suggested Bet: AIRMAN EACH-WAY

RACE 7

The 20-million-dollar Everest doesn’t look like being run at any great speed on paper with Overpass the clear leader, thought Mazu may roll forward, Cylinder likely box seats. Plenty of chatter around I WISH I WIN drawing gate one, may well turn out a blessing as he can settle closer & with a gap in the straight look out! PRIVATE EYE ran second in this race last year behind Giga Kick, trainer Joe Pride suggested post-race he’d improve 3-4 lengths into this. Stablemate THINK ABOUT IT scraped home first up, expect him to be held up a lot longer this time around. As mentioned above CYLINDER maps very well & being a 3yo gets in nice & light at the weights, of the six running’s of this race 3yo’s have won twice.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 12

Suggested Bet: I WISH I WIN TO WIN

RACE 8

Thought BENEDETTA looked well placed here. She holds a terrific overall record, carries no weight & was terrific last start charging home into 3rd spot behind the very smart Star Patrol who has since won again. Freshened up will be steaming to the line late. D-day for YELLOW BRICK who I thought had every chance in the Weetwood first up, no doubt will take improvement fitness wise & he has good winter carnival form, needs to stand up today. PERICLES in the mix with luck from the wide draw.

Numbers: 12 – 5 – 1 – 14

Suggested Bet: BENEDETTA EACH-WAY

RACE 9

Just a lazy 5 million up for grabs in the King Charles! MR BRIGHTSIDE is arguably the best weight for age horse in the country & shoots for 6 straight wins today. Although most of his racing has been down south he’s certainly proven here in Sydney at Randwick over the mile having won a couple of Doncaster’s! THINK IT OVER is back bigger & better than ever, tough as old boots he’ll make MR BRIGHTSIDE earn it. KOVALICA was a cracking run in the Epsom, prefer over further now however I’m including him in all exotics.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 12 – 14

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 10

Really tough way to wind up the day. MORE SECRETS is well placed under the conditions of the race for a Group 1 placegetter & will strip a fitter mare second up. She comes out of a stronger race when resuming which was a sprint home affair, much better placed here & hopefully the tempo up front will be a little faster. Ex Tasmanian SOUL CHOICE won well fresh, plenty of trials around her including one since that victory running a close 3rd, certainly in the right hands. Don’t completely discount AMOKURA fresh.

Numbers: 10 – 6 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet: MORE SECRETS EACH-WAY

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