Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

The carnival might be done & dusted however we race once again at Randwick on Saturday with the track likely to be on the better side of the soft range. Looking forward to this opening race where (1) BESKAR will likely start favourite & that looks more than fair to me. Impressive winning on debut he was immediately tipped out before resuming in Group 3 company when narrowly beaten after sitting 3 deep throughout. That won’t be the case today with the good draw & with J. Mac to steer he looks too good for these. Not the best of draws for (3) HIDDEN MOTIVE however his debut 4th in the Breeders Place & resuming second suggest he’s right in this with a touch of luck. (10) THE LITTLE GENERAL a likely improver, nothing went right on debut.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 10 – 2

Suggested Bet: BESKAR TO WIN.

RACE 2

The very consistent (3) PHOTOGRAPHICS looks very well placed to land another Midway here. A winner at this grade three starts back his two subsequent runs have resulted in placings & from the good gate & 2kg claim for Molly Bourke she’s clearly the runner to beat. (10) SUNRISE thrashed Quartz Legend at Kembla, that horse has since won, logical danger. (2) OAKFIELD BADGER the other main chance, racing well & gets a couple of kilos weight relief from his latest efforts.

Numbers: 3 – 10 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: PHOTOGRAPHICS TO WIN.

RACE 3

(1) MASSIRA & the emergency (15) SPEEDY HENRY look the main hopes here, early market sees it that way also. The former is proven in stronger grade whilst the latter has to step it up from country level, however with a 6kg weight advantage & parked up on speed he’s the way I’m going to lean, note both get through damp ground well. Wide draw for (3) JEWELS STATEMENT however she really hit her straps second up & with the claim for Anna Roper drops plenty in the weights. I’ve left out (5) CARRIBEAN KING as he’s just a non-winner, all that likely does is make him a ‘good thing’ here…!

Numbers: 15 – 1 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 4

(1) ZEALOUSLY is a very consistent galloper in good hands still with plenty of upside. He fought hard first up when going down narrowly & will no doubt take good improvement from the outing. With the claim he’ll carry a similar weight however on the negative side should the track be on the worst side of soft or heavy he’s a risk. (6) PASSEGGIATA has become an enigma however fresh off two big trials wins if she’s ‘handlebars down’ there’s always a chance she could keep going. (2) MISS IDELANDIC a definite market watch having her first run for the new yard which is flying, note she has won a jumpout.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet: ZEALOUSLY TO WIN.

RACE 5

Keen on the chances of the resuming (6) ZAPHOD who yes, I’ll admit is a favourite of mine. He resumes here with a good fresh record having been beaten only once from 3 attempts & that was last prep when a narrow second at Rosehill after sitting deep throughout, there’s a strong case to be made for him winning that race with a kinder run. He’s won on all surfaces & gets in nice & light at the weights. (3) SAGANTI is an ex French galloper who only got going late fresh, Group placed back home will relish 1800m. (7) FLYING BANDIT has won 3 of his past 4 & 5 of 10 overall, big finishing winner the latest. (5) LES VAMPIRES will prefer a drying track, has ability & in the right yard.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 7 – 5

Suggested Bet: ZAPHOD EACH-WAY.

RACE 6

(8) KING OF ROSEAU returned to racing a gelding first up making good ground down the straight albeit without enjoying the clearest path yet still able to finish on the heels of the placegetters. His prior form is sound in much stronger company than he meets here & if put in a striking position he can run these down. No jockey engaged for (9) LISZTOMANIA as I type, should he go around he’s a huge winning chance racing so consistently of late. Nos. 3, 4, 6 & 10 all in the mix.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet: KING OF ROSEAU EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

(2) LONHRO’S QUEEN has returned in cracking form this prep & clearly looks the horse to beat. Strong first up winner on heavy ground she then sat deep at Hawkesbury yet still got the job done. With the claim & a good gate she can measure up to this stronger grade. (3) SPARKLING looks all set to go fresh, concern is the wide draw, pretty much a given she’ll go back & hope there’s enough speed up front. The Victorian trained (4) ELBA in with a chance also, didn’t have the clearest of paths last start when running on.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: LONHRO’S QUEEN EACH-WAY.

 RACE 8

(3) DUCASSE was nominated to head north to Eagle Farm this weekend however connections have decided to stay home & that looks a smart decision as he does appear well placed in this race. Solid both runs in stronger company following his first up win he will lump more weight here however the 2kg claim certainly helps. (5) GREBENI has been good both runs this prep finishing in the placings, finds a suitable enough race here. (13) GREEN FLY was a fast-finishing winner fresh, must include. Should we get a track on the worst side of soft (4) PUNCH LANE comes into calculations although note he has won twice on dry ground.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 13 – 4

Suggested Bet: DUCASSE TO WIN.

RACE 9

Very open race, can pretty much make a case for all runners. I tend to favour those who are lightly raced & showing good potential which is exactly where (7) SPIONE is. He’ll line up for only start number 4 today having won twice already, I liked the way he responded first up when challenged inside the final 200 clearly holding his rivals in the run to the line. That suggests 1400m should be suitable. (14) DUVANA returns a gelding, 3 of his 5 starts have been on Group company where he’s struggled, keep very safe. (3) ISTOLEA MERC continues to race well.

Numbers: 7 – 14 – 3 – 10

Suggested Bet: SPIONE EACH-WAY.

RACE 10

(5) FUKUBANA has only been to 1600m once in his career & that was in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas last year when well out of the placings. We can not only wipe that run from a class viewpoint however also the fact he led which is not his go whatsoever. Happy to back him each-way here. (1) KNOW THYSELF clearly the toughest to beat, he did beat (5) FUKUBANA home last start & the mile won’t be an issue for him either. Out of the placings last start was (2) PROMITTO however there were excuses & his prior two outings were Midway placings, top 4 chance.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet: FUKUBANA EACH-WAY.

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