Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Cracking days racing coming up at Randwick with a couple of Group 1’s plus an outstanding support card. The good news is we can expect both perfect weather & track conditions. The meeting gets underway with an 1100m Midway which does look a very open race. Just get the feeling some of the leaders will feel the pinch late & went looking for one capable of a big finish & that’s ANGEL FUND who was a winner here this trip two starts back. MABEL is another capable of finding the line strongly, hasn’t won for quite some time though which is of concern. MOGUL MONARCH if able to get across without too much early work will prove hard to beat.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

This week’s Highway will also be run over a short trip, no shortage of runners though! I’ll back a couple here being CARRIBEAN KING & SHE WITHIN, the former was very good here two & three runs back before giving away too much start at Eagle Farm, he doesn’t win too often however surely isn’t far away. SHE WITHIN wasn’t bad at all here two back when never on the track, lightly raced & efforts either side of that run have been good. Up in grade goes HELLUVA TEEN however it’s hard to knock winning form!

Numbers: 5 – 13 – 10 – 3

Suggested Bet: CARRIBEAN KING & SHE WITHIN to win (small bets).

RACE 3

LES VAMPIRES the interesting runner in this race having not started for well over 300 days. He’s trialled well & if ready to go he’s going to take running down. Having said that I’m leaning to the race fit SPRING LEE who gets back into Benchmark grade after a run at Group 3 level last start, put the writing on the wall the run prior & we know how well the stable are going! SWISS EXILE & YISKA in the place mix.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet: SPRING LEE TO WIN ($2.50 or better).

RACE 4

With the Golden Slipper only 3 weeks away many (myself included) are looking for something to jump up out of the ground & put itself into late calculations, unfortunately we’re running out of time! Very competitive looking Skyline for the males. SHAGGY remained unbeaten when accounting for COMEDY here last start & they lock horns again in this race. There’s a 1kg pull in COMEDY’s favour however I’m not really reading much into that, I do like him stepping up to 1200m though & I’d like to see him closer in the run, siding with him to turn the tables. SHAGGY absorbed plenty of pressure to win that latest race, he just keeps on stepping up & can do so once again today. Must include SKYHOOK who will improve on the debut when third to the above pair.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 7 – 8

Suggested Bet: COMEDY EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

Now it’s the fillies turn in the Sweet Embrace & what an open race it is, I just can’t find a runner to lock into, there’s just niggling doubts around most. Thought SNITZEL MISS was good on debut running on from well back in the field. She peaked very late & hasn’t started for 4 weeks however she has trialled (well) in between. I’m sure she’ll be fit & ready to run a big race here. BELLAZAINE was game first up doing it both ends, has to cope with an additional 200m this time around, she’ll be ready for it. No knock MEMO who has the residual fitness & score already on the board. Debutante WOOTTON LASS has trialled very well, wouldn’t be the least surprised to see her run a big race first go.

Numbers: 11 – 5 – 2 – 15  

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

Hard to tip against AMELIA’S JEWEL here. Yes, she hasn’t won for some time however she brings the class factor to the race coupled with a very good first up record & that man J. Mac to do the steering. ALSEPHINA measured up well in Victoria during the spring finishing close up in a couple of Group 1’s whilst winning a Group 2, another who can sprint well fresh. OLENTIA the other chance in the race, outsprinted first up in a race not really run to suit she acquitted herself well.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics.

RACE 7

LADY SHENANDOAH is going to start in red figures here & that looks fair based on her first up victory in the Group 2 Light Flingers. She travelled big time in the run & when called upon in the straight quickly put away her rivals before being given a soft time to the line. 1400m suits, she looks all set to bring up her second Group 1 this afternoon. Stablemate AMELITA hit the line very strongly in the same race & will also appreciate the additional ground. LADY OF CAMELOT up to 1400m doesn’t deserve to be as close to LADY SHENANDOAH in the market, couldn’t possibly see her turning the tables over the longer trip.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: LADY SHENANDOAH TO WIN.

RACE 8

CEOLWULF, VIA SISTINA & FANGIRL to clash in a ripping Group 1, you can forget about the rest, they just aren’t in the same league. VIA SISTINA for me, I’m fully expecting her to bounce straight back onto the winners list here, thought she was excellent in the Apollo behind Fangirl who stole a break, she actually ran a slicker final 400 & 200m however just found herself in an awkward spot. Up to the mile is ideal, she’ll turn the tables today. CEOLWULF the danger in my opinion, his run in the same race was very good & the way he kept raising the bar at every run last prep was outstanding, he’s going to add to his Group 1 tally this autumn without any doubt whatsoever.  

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 9 – 5

Suggested Bet: VIA SISTINA TO WIN.

RACE 9

Must admit I’m a big GRINGOTTS fan & won’t be tipping against him first up this afternoon. He’s just very progressive & I can see him winning a Group 1 Handicap around the 1400-1600m range this season. Loved his most recent trial & from the good draw he should gain an economical run with the big weight. Group 1 winner GOLDEN MILE hasn’t been the easiest to catch, he returns here as a gelding & has trialled well, we could see a different horse in more ways than one. WILLAIDOW was good fresh, IOWNA MERC is in very good form.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet: GRINGOTTS EACH-WAY.

RACE 10

I’m with the Chris Waller trained BIRDMAN in this closing race. He’s a lightly raced import with a good record having placed at Group 2 level during last years Royal Ascot meeting. He caught the eye late here first up over the mile & will relish the additional ground. Interestingly his best form to date has been on rain affected going, that’s the one query I have. Right down the bottom Ciaron Maher’s KINGS VALLEY looks the logical danger, racing very well down south & was overhauled by a promising type last start, up in class however drops plenty in weight. The in-form SWEYSIVE brings his winning midweek form to Saturday grade, wouldn’t be leaving out.  

Numbers: 2 – 14 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet: BIRDMAN TO WIN.

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