Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

Cracking day of racing coming up at Randwick where the first Group 1 of the new season takes place. We get under way with a 1200m Midway where I’m with the resuming TREIZE who was a winner here on the Kensington track when first up last prep, gate 1, 53.5kg she’ll be hard to beat. WELL TIMED the logical danger, consistent & busting to win one of these, just has to deal with a wide draw. SMASHING EAGLE always in the mix, pattern does him no favours.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet: TREIZE EACH-WAY (small bet).


RACE 2

TAJANIS looked a good bet here however he’s now likely to go around midweek down south (keep note of that). Chris Waller sends around a few others in the race being STRATHAY, KAPAKIRI & KUREDER & all have winning chances however can throw in the odd bad run. I’ll lean to KAPAKIRI with the weight relief however I’m very low on confidence.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

BIG field in the Highway once again! The emergency KREON is a short priced favourite & if gains a start will likely firm up further. One start for an impressive Goulburn win back November, he didn’t beat much though & with J. Mac on he’s likely to go around unders in my opinion. I’m going to lean to MILTON ROAD who is out of the premier Highway winning stable & Rawiller to ride is a good positive pointer. First up winner will be well prepped for this. BRIDAL ROSE looks a promising type, worth including.

Numbers: 5 – 16 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

MISS YOU ELLA caught the eye running on late after being held up here a fortnight back. She hasn’t done a great deal this prep however that may be a pointer of better times ahead, she’s certainly in the right yard & Zac Lloyd jumps on today. NAILS MURPHY has placed both starts this trip, he’s just a difficult one to catch, must be included though as you’d have to think he’ll place at worst. WEST OF AFRICA is flying, cannot overlook.

Numbers: 5 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: MISS YOU ELLA EACH-WAY (small bet)


RACE 5

Tough to tip against the ex-French galloper ELIYASS who has only had the one local start for a dominant victory here in June on heavy ground. Beaten only twice in his 9 start career he’s run second at both of those defeats & looks a very exciting type. Two trials with the latest being a narrow second (some pressure) behind Group performer Detonator Jack. TOURISTIC is both racing well & race fit, must include. KALAPOUR, REDSTONE WELL & CANBERRA LEGEND all in the mix.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet: ELIYASS TO WIN.


RACE 6

8 of the 13 acceptors in the Silver Shadow resume, market leads important. I’m with the Group 1 winner MANAAL who will give away weight to all her rivals however we know the reason for that. She resumed last prep with a fast finishing second to the eventual Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot over 1100m before winning her next start rising to 1200m. She resumes at that trip today off a 900m trial win, she’ll be strong at the end here. Plenty to like about AMEENA’s trial here on Monday & J. Mac steers. HALLET has also trialled well & will be prominent from the rails gate.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet: MANAAL TO WIN/SAVER AMEENA.


RACE 7

JOLIESTAR resumes here & I can’t wait to see her go around. Already a Group 1 winner landing the Thousand Guineas last spring she only had the single start in the autumn winning the Group 2 Arrowfield. The fact Chris Waller pulled up stumps & sent her to the paddock indicates how highly he rates her & I’d suggest she’s in for a huge prep starting right now! SOUTHPORT TYCOON & AIRMAN ooze class, both have trialled well & will prove to be the main opposition to the mare. The Queenslander YELLOW BRICK will go forward, good fresh record he’s a place chance.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet: JOLIESTAR TO WIN.


RACE 8

First Group 1 of the new racing season, 11 of the 12 resume, Semana is the odd one out however she’s almost 2 months between outings. Who is the most forward at this early stage of the spring? No surprise I’m siding with FANGIRL who was so impressive winning the Apollo first up this track & trip last prep, she powered down the outside & is very likely to repeat that performance here should we not receive any unexpected rain. 1400m will likely be too short for VIA SISTINA however she’s a mare who could be the star of the spring & I wouldn’t be the least surprised to see her pull out a big run fresh. TROPICAL SQUALL will look to lead, unbeaten fresh she’s right in the hunt should she find that rail out in front.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 11 – 9

Suggested Bet: FANGIRL TO WIN.


RACE 9

Thought KIMOCHI represented good value here first up as she’s yet to miss a placing when fresh which includes two wins. She landed the Group 2 Light Fingers resuming last prep here over 100m further then had a couple of unlucky runs before struggling up to the 2000m of the Vinery Stud. Liked her recent trial (same heat as Manaal) suggest she can be backed confidently each-way. No surprise to see OPAL RIDGE improve sharply, freshened up off a couple of Eagle Farm failures in the winter she may have found that surface too firm. THE BLACK CLOUD faces her acid test whilst LADY LAGUNA may take the run?

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 10 – 1

Suggested Bet: KIMOCHI EACH-WAY.


RACE 10

Keen on the chances of SPRING LEE in this closing race who was extremely unlucky not to win first up at Rosehill at the beginning of the month. She got back & then had traffic issues before clear late however the winner had more momentum to the line. She’s a promising mare who can go one better today. Logical danger is surely INVADER ZIM who has only raced the 5 times & looks to have plenty of upside. Wide gate for PANIC however he’s shows plenty of promise & has trialled well.

Numbers: 7 – 9 – 3 – 10

Suggested Bet: SPRING LEE TO WIN.

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