Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Race 1

After an outstanding day of racing here at Randwick last Saturday we get to do it all again with the Group 1 Spring Champion the feature, the support card is a cracker. Very warm week, no rain, track will be rated Good. We open with an unraced bunch of 2yo’s & I’m with the Waller stable to get the day off on a winning note with either (2) DEFENSEMEN or (4) KING CAMPANIA. They did meet in a recent trial with the former winning however at the better odds I’m Inclined to go with KING CAMPANIA who struck trouble at the start & saw little room down the straight before closing off well all under no urgings. (3) GREEN KIRK has won both trials & must be included.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: KING CAMPANIA EACH-WAY (need 8 starters).

RACE 2

The Highway & Midway are back after a week’s rest; the former gets the honours here & as per usual the market is a wide one. Many runners come out of the race won by Adolphus here a fortnight back, you’re either with that form line or against it… I’ll back it in & put (3) POISEN POINT on top, a model of consistency she looks well placed stepping out to the mile & from the favourable draw can take up a position closer than she has of late. (9) UPWARDLY MOBILE just can’t draw a gate of late however has fared a little better here, very strong to the line her last couple she’ll lap up 1600m. The consistent (1) CHRISTA could well find the fence behind the leader; definite chance should that end up the case.

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet: POISEN POINT EACH-WAY.

RACE 3

Now to the Midway. (10) OAKFIELD JUPITER hasn’t been dealt any favours at the barriers however her strike rate is good; her only failure to date came in a Listed race at Scone when parked out 5 deep from a wide gate. That’s a definite forgive, she has upside & has trialled encouragingly. (3) MAFIA did a good job at Muswellbrook sitting wide, won’t be far away. The resuming (5) CLEAR PROOF a market watch.

Numbers: 10 – 3 – 5 – 9

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for OAKFIELD JUPITER.

RACE 4

Initial thoughts here were (9) POINT AND SHOOT who is on the back up having gone around in the Silver Eagle last week. Obviously this is a great deal easier & we know at his best he’s very exciting with an impressive turn of foot. However, he can mess up the start & he will get back no matter how he jumps & at the odds on offer I’m a little gun shy. (1) VICTORIA ROAD is the interesting runner, a Breeders Cup 2yo winner he didn’t fire when out here for a couple of Group 1’s back in late 2023. Now here he is some 700+ days later with 4 trials under his belt in the hands of Ciaron Maher taking on an average open handicap. Should the money come, I’ll be following it. (4) KINTYRE next best.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 4 – 10

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for VICTORIA ROAD.

RACE 5

Listed race for the 3yo’s. I’m siding with one start maiden winner (7) SKYGLIDER who I just get the feeling may be well above average. Yes, he did get tempo to suit at that Canterbury win however I liked the way he knuckled down in the straight & comfortably held off stablemate Sixties who held out Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy in a Group 3 race here earlier in the carnival. No doubt improved over the break & I did like his recent narrow trial second. (1) MEMO is a solid Group 3 performer & was unlucky in Melbourne last start, since placed in a strong Rosehill trial. Must include (2) GRAND EAGLE, no luck latest run.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: SKYGLIDER EACH-WAY.

RACE 6

You won’t be getting black figures about (1) LINDERMANN here & unless a different version of the horse turns up that’s completely fair as he’s got a bit on these & is in cracking form. He beat Sir Delius, ran second to Fangirl & then came out & bolted in the Group 2 Hill Stakes where he accounted for 4 of his 7 rivals today. (6) MAISON LOUIS caught the eye running on in that same race last start however I can’t see the drop back in distance helping him turn the tables, he’s certainly in the place mix though. (3) KOVALICA & (4) MILITARIZE are always thereabouts & knockout chances.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet: LINDERMANN TO WIN (will be short odds unfortunately).

RACE 7

Should the market allow I’m suggesting we back two horses in this race to knock over the favourite (1) RIVELLINO. Firstly (2) OHOPE who always looked as though he was chasing further when relishing the strong speed to score at Rosehill a fortnight back. Based on that the additional 200m here is ideal. (3) FARNICLE the other, ran second to (2) OHOPE in that race after chasing that good tempo, stuck on very well however the unknown is the mile, have no doubt the stable will have him rock hard fit & ready to run through a brick wall though. (4) RUINATION goes in the mix as does the favourite (1) RIVELLINO & that quartet do look an appealing first 4 bet.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: Top 2 selections to win/Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 8

The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes is always a highlight, plenty of quality 3yo’s to go around. It’s very tricky though as I’m not really excited about the form line through the Gloaming which is the main lead up race. I was very keen on (6) FEDERALIST a fortnight back however connections decided to scratch, he’s had a trial between that & this run given a good sound out running on from the back, he just wants ground & gets it here. (11) WITHIN THE LAW comes through the Tea Rose, Flight & last week’s King Charles when bleeding through one nostril. Beaten less than 4L she was never going to win at that class however those other runs are well up to this & 2000m should suit. I’ll also have something on her & another filly at longer odds (12) QUEEN OF CLUBS who pulled up with cardiac arrythmia last start, prior runs have this trip written all over them. (7) CHAMPAGNE HERO the other runner over the odds, should have finished a lot closer in the Gloaming, started favourite & never got a clear go at them down the straight.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 12 – 7

Suggested Bet: Something small on first 4 selections (fingers crossed)!

RACE 9

Hard to tip against (3) MISS ROUMBINI who is a model of consistency yet to put in a bad run within her 11 starts. Mown down first up she then did the mowing down second-up just falling short charging from near enough to last on the home turn. Kept nice & fresh she is a winner going this way landing a Magic Millions race earlier in the year on the Gold Coast. I’ll definitely have a saver on (7) MONTE SUPREME who zoomed home off a very strong tempo to just miss Gangsta Granny at Rosehill over 1200m, she’s going to lap up the 1400m today. Can never leave out class acts (1) STEFI MAGNETICA & (2) MANAAL who are more than capable of winning.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: MISS ROUMBINI TO WIN/MONTE SUPREME EACH-WAY.

RACE 10

He’s not a horse I can catch (5) GENERAL SALUTE however I have to be with him here & just hope for a touch of luck from the wide draw. He beat all bar the star mare Autumn Glow two back before a very unlucky placing last start when held up in the straight. (1) TRANSATLANTIC who is now a Group 1 winner rises plenty in weight off the Toorak win however being fourth up there’s likely still improvement to come. (8) RISE AT DAWN has come back in good order placing both outings, expect another solid performance here.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 8 – 13

Suggested Bet: GENERAL SALUTE EACH-WAY.

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