Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

Racing at Randwick on Saturday gets underway with an 1100m Midway where I’m siding with the resuming WELL TIMED. Only lightly raced I like him taking this on with 2 trials under the belt which is one more than last prep when not far away fresh. Those trials have looked good to the eye, he might have a bit on most if not all of his rivals here. SMASHING EAGLE drops to this grade for the first time, we know his pattern all too well, get back & run on, always needs luck on his side. BUNDEENA next best.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet: WELL TIMED TO WIN (wanting market support) (small bet).


RACE 2

The Highway is next up, again I’m going with a first upper in FLORINO who gets J. Mac to do the steering which is a very positive pointer he’s set to go fresh. His only failure came about here over 1200m when resuming last prep, he just didn’t let down that day likely due to him being too keen in the run. Second up also here back 200m he was beaten by a smart type. Trials good, follow any positive money trail. CARRIBEAN KING is capable & has a good fresh record, Nash from gate 2 for the most successful Highway stable. SOMERTON SNIPER looks promising, can measure up.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet: FLORINO TO WIN (wanting market support) (small bet).


RACE 3

INVADER ZIM gets the nod. Narrowly beaten first up by PATCHOULI DREAM (they meet again here) he quickly made amends second up accounting narrowly for the smart Kerguelen on a heavy track here a fortnight back. Lightly raced & fitter again he’s the runner to beat. IT’S A KNOCKOUT just kept on kicking to win on debut & will be all the fitter, rolls forward again here with the premier leading jock on board. 3, 8 & 10 all in with a chance.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 3 – 8

Suggested Bet: INVADER ZIM TO WIN


RACE 4

Cannot possibly tip against AGE OF SAIL who put the writing on the wall two starts back before a certainty beaten last start at Rosehill when unable to gain clear running all too late. Once into the open he flew to just miss. Ex-Kiwi STRATHAY is racing in good form wining two straight before running on well in the same race last time out. Tougher task for OUR ANCHORAGE however he’s on an upward trend & will appreciate the step up in distance.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: AGE OF SAIL TO WIN.


RACE 5

Two main winning chances here & I’m sure the market will see it similarly being OUR KOBISON & DANCING ALONE. Could go either way as both have good first up records & have impressed in different ways at the trials. I’ll lean to DANCING ALONE who has won 6 of 8, is unbeaten fresh & has been hard held at both trials. OUR KOBISON bolted in by 6 lengths in a Wyong trial, game in defeat first up last prep sitting deep throughout.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet: DANCING ALONE TO WIN/SAVING ON OUR KOBISON.


RACE 6

Can’t say I’m wrapped in any of the locals here who tend to go around regularly without any great consistency. That leans me to the ex-Kiwi now Goulburn local TULSI who has placed over 1600m in Group 1 company back home & also holds a solid fresh record. Liked her recent trial cruising home from last into the placings over 1000m at Warwick Farm & J. Mac to ride suggests she’s ready to rumble fresh. HI DUBAI is racing well & will land a good run from the gate whilst LONRIOLI drops plenty in weight for this stronger race.

Numbers: 4 – 7 – 10 – 2

Suggested Bet: TULSI EACH-WAY.


RACE 7

Although well up in the weights I’m going to stick with the very consistent SPAGE AGE who turned the tables on Ha Ha Ha here last start with a light weight & note 3 of his 4 wins have been at today’s mile trip. The claim helps & expect him to again roll forward & land a good spot from the get-go. MARGIE’S BOY is shooting for 4 straight wins, clearly better suited on wet ground so a drying track won’t be ideal, monitor conditions. YASUKE is yet to really deliver however both runs this prep have been solid.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 12 – 9

Suggested Bet: SPAGE AGE TO WIN (small bet).


RACE 8

The Group 2 Missile Stakes signals spring is just around the corner, bring it on! I was all over SCHWARZ at his last start at Eagle Farm when finishing down the track, many horses failed that day which was put down to the track condition suggesting we forgive the run which was out of character. He’s trialled well & should have a bit on his rivals this afternoon. SEMILLION is up & running with a fitness edge, chased home the in-form Recommendation in the Bletchingly down south. SHEZANALISTER raced on the worst going last start yet was far from disgraced, include.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 10 – 9

Suggested Bet: SCHWARZ TO WIN.


RACE 9

Looking for a soft rated surface here & should that be the case I’m with the resuming CANBERRA LEGEND however he definitely needs give in the ground, he’s 7 for nothing on dry tracks! His fresh run last prep behind a smart type was excellent after sitting wide throughout (soft 6). Soft trials, keep an eye on the market. ARAMCO is flying must be included whilst the ex-UK galloper CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD is a big watch, Group 2 winner at Ascot has some big names amongst the ownership group & may well be good enough to beat these even if not fully fit?

Numbers: 6 – 9 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 10

Be surprised if WALLENDA wasn’t in the finish off some very good recent form down south. Not far off the flying Right To Party twice & even closer behind the promising The Black Cloud all within his past 4 starts suggest he’ll prove very hard to beat here with a similar/lighter weight. IRON MAN & WILLAIDOW ran the quinella at Randwick, weight favours the latter here & I’d expect J. Mac will be on his bike from the outset off a wide draw looking to lead or settle close to it.

Numbers: 12 – 6 – 7 – 13

Suggested Bet: WALLENDA TO WIN.

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