Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

Racing at Randwick kicks off with a Highway Handicap which as usual looks wide open. We’ll likely have give in the ground once again which should suit the second-up SYRIAN STAR who found the line strongly here when resuming a fortnight ago. Yes, she’ll give away a start however the speed looks ok up front which will help. Plenty of excuses for TANGLEWOOD last start racing wide & pulling up sore, previous form very consistent. NIPOTINO in the mix.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 5 – 12

Suggested Bet: SYRIAN STAR EACH-WAY (small bet).


RACE 2

On face value the second-up KAPIKIRI may need this hit out to bring him to near peak fitness however even if not quite there he still could well prove the horse to beat. He resumed in a good race placing behind two subsequent winners & he’ll carry no more weight after the claim. ASSOCIATE is racing well in easier grade, another with a helpful claim. ENOTIS a market watch fresh, SONOFDEC can improve back from Group 1 company last start.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet:  Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

NOVEMBER FALLS looks extremely hard to beat here & the booking of J. Mac is a huge positive as he doesn’t ride in too many Midway’s! Last couple have been very good he’s busting to win at this level & gets his chance this afternoon. CHARMING LEGEND may have only won a maiden last start however it was his first outing & he looked good, we know what Les Bridge can do with these ‘Charming’ horses, wouldn’t underestimate. DIMAGGIO in the mix from the good alley, he’s rarely far away.

Numbers: 11 – 9 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet:  BACKING TOP TWO SELECTIONS TO WIN.


RACE 4

Dundeel filly IT’S A WONDER looks well placed here stepping up in distance. She’s obviously bred to run further & her recent efforts haven’t done anything to suggest she won’t relish the additional 200m. The consistent BAKERLOO just missed out on bringing up the hat trick here last start, well placed to go a couple better. MASCARET struggles to win, chances increase should the track be in the heavy range.

Numbers: 13 – 3 – 4 – 12

Suggested Bet:  IT’S A WONDER TO WIN.


RACE 5

Not sure I’d be taking red figures about the dominant debut winner KERGUELEN however should something in the black be available I’d suggest he’s a bet. He absolutely romped in scoring by 9.5L at Kembla Grange on a heavy track running good time considering the conditions. WILD GYPSY is only lightly raced with a good record to date, back in distance off the latest shouldn’t harm her chances & she maps well from the favourable draw. Thought YANKEE ONE was in the race with at least a place hope, looks overs in early markets.

Numbers: 8 – 10 – 11 – 3

Suggested Bet: KERGUELEN TO WIN ($2.00 or better).


RACE 6

Victorian visitor AMBERITE has the form to get away with this race & the engagement of McDonald to steer is certainly a positive one. Suggest he’ll roll forward early from the good alley & make a dash for the cash early in the straight. AKASAWA is racing very well on the provincial circuit, not far off a very smart type two back before lumping 65.5kg into 3rd spot the latest. Ex-French galloper FORTUNE is a big watch, trial was sound & first up record overseas is a good one.

Numbers: 13 – 4 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 7

Looks a very suitable race for the resuming DIPSY DOODLE who although beaten first up last prep the run was a good one as she just went way too hard in front & was a sitting shot in the straight. She’s trialled well should prove very hard to catch. No knock on the form of SOUTH OF INDIA, he just has to take it up a few pegs however he’s been able to raise the bar frequently of late. Way down in the weights COSMONOVA wasn’t far away fresh & is already a second-up winner.

Numbers: 10 – 11 – 15 – 13

Suggested Bet: DIPSY DOODLE TO WIN.


RACE 8

The Listed Civic Stakes looks a competitive race. ESTADIO MESTALLA should be primed third run back from a break. Nothing went right first up before closing off strongly last start here on a heavy (9) surface. Back down in the weights he races well here & the trip is suitable. TAMERLANE the class runner, just a flat sort of effort first up at Scone, needs to improve on that & can do from the inside alley with J.Mac to steer. GRAVINA struggled with the big weight last start, can improve into a placing here.

Numbers: 14 – 1 – 9 – 4

Suggested Bet: ESTADIO MESTALLA EACH-WAY.


RACE 9

FLEETWOOD is flying & should he gain a start here is the horse to beat. Led throughout first up, finished strongly second up, he’s a winner on the track has a ton of upside. IOWNA MERC just continues to race so consistently, problem is he can’t crack it for a win, can see him steaming down the outside once again here on a track that suits his pattern. CONTEMPORARY has been kept nice & fresh off the first up win & is very consistent, he’s another who will be running on wide out.

Numbers: 19 – 3 – 11 – 8

Suggested Bet: FLEETWOOD TO WIN.


RACE 10

I’m with the Victorian visitor ELOUYOU who will roll forward from the wide alley as is his pattern & should he be able to do that without much pressure can prove very hard to run down. He’s beaten all bar the winner all 3 runs this prep & will give these plenty to chase. WEST OF AFRICA & DEFINING ran one/two at Warick Farm last start in a blanket finish. They can again figure prominently looking the main dangers to the southerner.

Numbers: 9 – 13 – 12 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Market Market