Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

RACE 1

Spring racing continues at Randwick on Saturday, expect a dry track & mostly fine conditions. The day kicks off with a 1400m Midway where we need at least one scratching which would enable POWERS OF OPAL to gain a start. Yes, she’s going to get over further than 1400m however second up she’s still sharp enough to run a race & will carry only 50kg. She may still be a maiden however keep in mind she was under 4L behind Broadsiding two back at Listed level. Good gate for HERB, can he take advantage of it though? NORTHERN EYES lines up for 4 straight wins, will need luck from the wide gate.

Numbers: 15 – 3 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet: POWERS OF OPAL EACH-WAY.


RACE 2

Good race, I’ve tipped LOST, SPRING LEE & MARTINI MUMMA at recent starts with mixed success, does the winner come from that trio? Hope so as I’m giving SPRING LEE another chance, gut feel is I may have overrated her however I’ll go on her effort first up & not the latest which was plain flat. MARTINI MUMMA is untapped, no official trial however must be kept safe. LOST pulled up 1/5 lame the latest so there were excuses.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

Yet another big field in the Highway, field limit is 14 so at least 6 runners to come out. I’ll tip FIELD OF MYRTLE however will admit that 1200m does concern me. She had trouble securing clear running at Doomben early in the straight last start, once out she finished well however the winner had her measure. LISZTOMANIA the danger, consistent, hard fit now & just busting to win one of these races, MELODY AGAIN in the mix.

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

Small field to go around in the stayer’s race at Listed level. There’s plenty here who can be hit or miss. Ex UK galloper CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD might have a big on them class wise, First start for over a year here last month when making ground over 1800m. The quick step up in distance won’t be a concern & his record overseas tells you he’s got these covered on his better form. STRATHAY is hard fit, consistent & in good form, must include. Gut feel is REDSTONE WELL will need the run as he missed one here 2 weeks ago when a late scratching.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 5

GALERON looks the best of just an even bunch in this race, to be honest there’s likely some case to be made for all runners & a surprise result certainly wouldn’t shock. He didn’t run the 1800m out here 2 weeks ago so here he is back to the mile which although he’s yet to win over he has placed 4 of 10. ZEYREK will improve plenty, first up just under 5 lengths away in the Group 1 Winx this is a massive drop in grade. JUNIPAL is never far away.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet: GALERON TO WIN (small bet).


RACE 6

The Group 2 Furious for the 3yo fillies is one of the day’s highlights. AMEENA accounted for MANAAL in the Silver Shadow with both being first up, obviously the pair have plenty of improvement to come & they will be well fancied in this race. ZEITUNG clocked in 5th in the same race beaten less than a length after sitting 3 deep no cover all the way, her run may well have been the best in the race, at the juicer odds I’m with her. Poor gate for DRIFTING who likes to go forward, will need luck.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet: ZEITUNG EACH-WAY.


RACE 7

The Group 3 Concorde sees the return of GIGA KICK (long break), BELLA NIPOTINA (short break) plus a few others who are no slouches. I’m going to lean to BELLA NIPOTINA as she has the residual fitness & comes through an outstandingly successful winer campaign in Brisbane. May need some luck to get a crack at them in the straight however that’s a job for ‘Willo’. GIGA KICK has had the two lead-up trials, hasn’t raced for a year however those trials have been solid enough to say he’ll give this a shake. BELLA NIPOTINA’s stablemate I AM ME looks the other chance in the race, she’ll be out front with a decent gap on the other pair who will attempt to run her down.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 8

I can’t see how they beat ZARDOZI here. She’s second up with a good record at that stage of her prep (won 2 of 3), comes out of the Group 1 Winx Stakes first up when just over 2 lengths behind the likes of Via Sistina & Fangirl plus she’s 1 from 1 at 1600. She’s top class, her rivals are not & although the lack of tempo isn’t ideal, when you’ve got the likes of J. Mac steering you just know he’ll have her in a winning position. Didn’t mind the run of BUCKEROO first up also out of the Winx, he can place as can HINGED however as for winning I can’t see her doing that, she’s had too many chances.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 9 – 4

Suggested Bet: ZARDOZI TO WIN.


RACE 9

Well, we get to see AMELIA’S JEWEL go around here first time for the Neahsam/Archibald combination ex Simon Miller in WA. She’s not really a favourite of the punters being beaten as the favoured elect at her past 5 starts however I’m going with her here as she’s a very good fresh type, her trials have been solid & she’ll enjoy the long run home plus the dry surface. ARCTIC GLAMOUR found the line in good style first up, any repeat of that has her in the finish. There’s a lot of chances in this race, FREEDOM RALLY & the very smart MOLLY BLOOM amongst them.

Numbers: 8 – 14 – 10 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 10

Leaning to PANIC in this final race which looks an open affair. Only lightly raced he found the line in very good fashion first up & will appreciate the step up in distance. Can see him running home hard hopefully right over the top of the leaders late. The three Waller runners all create good interest, ALTHOFF, CONGREGATION & EMIRATE, keep a close watch market wise on the trio.

Numbers: 7 – 18 – 17 – 14

Suggested Bet: PANIC EACH-WAY.

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