Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

We’re off to Randwick on Saturday for a 9 racer on dry ground. The meeting kicks off with a 2yo which once again features plenty of debutantes & also creates plenty of interest going forward. Most of that interest will centre around the 1.75-million-dollar debutante UNITED STATES who ran 3rd in a trial at Rosehill earlier in the month. He was given the easiest of runs looking to have plenty in the tank, happy to be in his corner. YOLO was well in the market at his first outing down south, didn’t have a lot go his way & can definitely feature here. Market moves all important the remainder as most have trialled well enough to be competitive.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 12 – 1

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for UNITED STATES to win.

RACE 2

Another open looking Midway. MAGNATEAR just held off AIX EN PROVANCE at Wyong, big turnaround in the weights favour the winner, turning the tables could well prove a tricky task. I’m going away from that pair & leaning to DR EVIL who drops back from a couple of stronger races & also in weight after the claim. Will get back however has been finding the line well of late. PIRAEUS & IRISH BLISS in with place chances.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

Should CLEAR THINKING go around $3.00 or better I’m happy enough to side with the unbeaten mare. Two dominant out of town wins her first couple of outings she then overcame difficulties to charge over the top of the leader here over this trip at this level back in July. She’ll face a dry track for the first time & draws awkwardly however looks to have plenty of upside. Ditto HIGHWAY STRIP who was terrific first up, obviously well up to this however draws even worse, that’s the concern. Should the emergency KREON gain a start he’s worth including in exotics.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 19 – 4

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

RACE 4

Small field, tricky race though. What do I do with ZAYPHOD, I was keen last start however he never really looked likely, was 2100m too far? Maybe, if so he’s back to 2000m here & I do like him better on the bigger track having won at Eagle Farm the start prior. The trip may test him however I’ll stay loyal & give him another chance. UNLIMITED was good in the same race last start, meets ZAPHOD better at the weights for beating him home, definite danger. CLAIM THE CROWN the other big chance in the race, less than 2L from the winner his past couple, drawn well & gets in on the limit, plenty to like.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 5

Difficult to suggest this race is anything but a clash between the Neasham/Archibald stablemates DON DIEGO DE VEGA & VEGA MAGNIFICO with the former first up & the latter having his second run back after a fast-closing fresh win here over 1500m. So which one? I’ll lean to VEGA MAGNIFICO however have no firm opinion either way, quinella/exacta the likely best option. MISS YOU ELLA perhaps next best.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 2 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

The Bjorn Baker stable is airborne at the moment & they produce the unbeaten PUNTIN here who has won both career outings in impressive fashion. Yes, he faces a decent class rise here however can only win which he’s been doing & the latest was in good time. He wouldn’t be here if the camp didn’t think he was up to the task. IMPOSANT & POINT AND SHOOT both ran well at Wyong last start, no doubt they are close & a win here from either wouldn’t be any surprise. DARLING DOWNS an improver.

Numbers: 12 – 8 – 11 – 9

Suggested Bet: PUNTIN EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

BONITA QUEEN hadn’t won first up in her limited career until last start when leading throughout at Wyong. Yes, she had plenty in her favour on that occasion however she’s obviously come back very well & will have taken good improvement from the outing, confident she can carry the big weight to victory. HUSK is in good hands & is very promising, no shortage of upside with her. Thought LLANDDWYN hit the line well her latest, slight step up in ground suits based on that, might be ready to turn the corner.

Numbers: 1 – 12 – 8 – 5

Suggested Bet: BONITA QUEEN TO WIN.

RACE 8

Last start winner HEADLEY GRANGE gets the nod again here as he’s the one in form with plenty of upside. He wasn’t really in the mood playing up in the yard at Wyong yet still found a way to get the job done. He rises in grade today, gets no weight relief however I don’t see that being a major obstacle. INVADER ZIM finished behind him in that race, at the weights he’s 0.5kg worse off, disappointing that day yet good the run prior can he turn the tables? Well, he needs to lift on that latest effort. SANDPAPER was good winning first up whilst STARMAN looks to be getting very close.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet: HEADLEY GRANGE TO WIN.

RACE 9

Hoping for a touch of early luck here with the top selection HEZDARNHOTTOO drawing an awkward gate. Josh Parr has the job of trying to get him into a winnable spot & should he successfully get that done he’s going to prove very hard to beat. Thought his run at the Gold Coast when narrowly beaten behind a smart type was game & a decent form line for a race such as this. UNSTOPABULL the danger, better draw just steps it up in class today however racing well enough to handle that. STEP ASIDE a market watch, has a good fresh record however last prep didn’t fire & trials have been so-so.

Numbers: 11 – 5 – 6 – 10

Suggested Bet: HEZDARNHOTTO (each-way).

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