Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Group 2 action from Randwick on Saturday gets underway with a 1200m Midway. ZOUBABY clearly holds the strongest form lines in the race coming through Listed & Group 3 affairs her past couple finishing 2nd & 5th respectively. This is a great deal easier & she’ll carry less weight. SMASHING TIME comes through the Listed Crowley here back in October when under 3L from the winner, freshened up. LADY EXTREME ran well fresh & holds a good second up record.

Numbers: 9 – 7 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet: ZOUBABY TO WIN ($3 or better).

RACE 2

Going with CARRIBEAN KING on an each-way basis here. He’s an ex-Queenslander who definitely doesn’t win out of turn however he is generally around the placings. His form since coming south is quite solid & he likes the gap between starts, Rawiller is a good positive pointer he’s expected to run well. DUKE OF BRONTE can bounce back off the unplaced effort at Kembla, pulled up with heat stress suggesting we be forgiving. TAI LUNG hit the line well first up & has been kept fresh.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet: CARRIBEAN KING EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 3

Sticking with CHICA MOJITO off a freshen up having not started since being nailed late at Kembla 3 weeks ago. That was a cracking run as she sat 3 deep throughout facing the breeze yet still made a dash for home at the top of the straight & almost held on, extremely game she’s worthy of a change of luck today. REDBREAST clearly the toughest to beat, off the canvas to win first up will strip fitter & appreciate the step up in distance. 2 & 3 place hopes, hard to see anything else figuring.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet: CHICA MOJITO TO WIN.

RACE 4

Open race, happy to go with DREAM HOUR on an each-way basis. Although he’s only had 2 starts at his past couple of preps he does tend to fire third up, note he won the Gateway at Eagle Farm at that stage of a previous prep & won it running away. I’m not crazy about the weight rise however at the odds on offer he’s worth a spec. The super consistent BUNKER HUT can figure with a touch of luck. HOW DARE YOU was a good thing beaten last start who can prove competitive.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 16 – 1

Suggested Bet:  DREAM HOUR EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 5

The 2yo’s run for half a million here & there’s no standouts. More than half are on debut & whilst their trials have all been sound there’s nothing that stands out. Newcastle trained filly CANTIAMO has led at her two trials & whilst the first was sound she looked to have improved plenty into the second when winning under no pressure, nothing wrong with the time either. Cost 220k with McEvoy to ride from a decent draw. WITHIN THE LAW has the score on the board winning on debut down the Flemington straight during Cup Week, race experience will count for plenty. Didn’t mind ARTISTIC VENTURE’s trial.

Numbers: 12 – 6 – 8 – 1

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

RACE 6

CHICA MOJITO is also down to run earlier in the day & I’m confident she’ll acquit herself well in whichever race she contests, should it be here I’ll put her on top. Should it not then TAVI TIME looks tough to beat, consistent all prep he will appreciate 1800m based on the fast-closing mile third last start. The claim brings him down to the same weight he carried at that last start placing. KERCHAK is flying up north, tougher test today however you just can’t knock winning form. KETTLE HILL not out of it, look for him late, he’s a bit hard to catch though.

Numbers: 19 – 3 – 2 – 6 – 17

Suggested Bet: CHICA MOJITO/Exotics.

RACE 7

The Christmas Cup sees an even looking field of locals to go around, they take on the intriguing SEA KING who is ex-UK now with Matt Dunn. Dominant winning the Bendigo Cup he then made ground from a mile back in the Melbourne Cup, he’s since ventured to the Gold Coast running well there in a trial. Hard to beat at this level. Another import ALALCANCE strolled in first local start before very game at Kembla, will give a sight here. MORMONA an interesting runner worth including.

Numbers: 3 – 12 – 9 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 8

The Group 2 Ingham is the day’s feature race (formerly the Villiers). Can’t see any reason GRINGOTTS can’t make it three straight yet he will again have his knockers. Strong to the line in both The Big Dance & The Gong yes this is a tougher task however he’s a very hard horse to get past these days, still has plenty of upside & in my opinion will be competitive at Group 1 level next year. PRIVATE EYE was back to his best last start ridden positively early on, expect the same here from the wide gate, needs a touch of luck though. Now that PORT LOCKROY has broken through he can definitely figure in this finish, drawn to get the right run.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet: GRINGOTTS TO WIN.

RACE 9

HEDGED looks very hard to beat here, my only concern is she may need one more run? Solid first up in a good race at Kembla her form last prep was very consistent in better races & note she ran 2nd to Joliestar here this trip in the Arrowfield back in April. CONTEMPORARY will improve off the first up run, tempo didn’t help on that occasion, hopefully it’s a little stronger here. PEREILLE & EAGLE NEST in the mix.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet: HEDGED TO WIN ($3 or better).

RACE 10

I’ll stick with the Godolphin runner JEWELLERY in this final race who was very unlucky first up at Rosehill when badly held up for clear running. Super consistent last prep she can make amends here. Big watch on the first up AUGUST BLOOM who has always had a wrap on her, only lightly raced she’s had her issues however if on song rates a definite chance. The consistent WOOLOOWIN must be included.

Numbers: 9 – 16 – 17 – 1

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

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