Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Race 1

Plenty of prizemoney on offer at Randwick on Saturday headed by the 10-million-dollar Golden Eagle where Autumn Glow will be out to keep her unbeaten record intact. After decent rain on Wednesday we’re likely to be going around on a damp surface however that’s not a given, monitor closely. Just a small field to get the meeting underway however plenty of interest with the Japanese visitor (2) ISANA. Yes, he may be here as travelling companion for Panja Tower in the Golden Eagle however we know Japanese horses ooze quality & he doesn’t meet any stars here, I’ll have a few dollars on him. (3) ROTAGILLA was unlucky fresh when held-up, (1) BELLE DETELLE may need the run however is a Group 3 winner & definite market watch.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 5

Suggested Bet: ISANA TO WIN (small bet).

RACE 2

Highway time! (15) FAN HARDER has finished on the heels of the placegetters both outings this prep after sitting on the pace, fair to say he’s had his chance to win however the 100m drop back in trip looks suitable & slightly damp track wouldn’t concern. (8) CONCOCTION faces his acid test having won 2 of 3 in the country, plenty of upside. (2) PONY SOPRANO in the mix, this grade suits.

Numbers: 15 – 8 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

Winning form is the best form & the Snitzel mare (4) JELLICIOUS has plenty of that. 3 outings this prep have resulted in as many wins & she lumped 59kg to get the job done last start. She’ll again have to carry plenty of weight here & give away a fair bit to others however I really do like the way she’s tracking. (8) TRANSCEND crosses the ditch to join the Michael Freedman yard, 2 wins from 3 starts with all outings being on wet ground, looks a promising type who must be kept very safe. Really liked the look of (1) HUSK’s win two back, luckless in Group 3 company her latest that run can be forgiven, I’ll be honest though, the 61kg doesn’t thrill me.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: JELLICIOUS TO WIN AGAIN.

RACE 4

Half a million up for grabs in the Midway this week! I’m firmly in the corner of the lightly raced mare (1) MERIDIANA who resumed with a cracking win at Rosehill just over a month back. Last to first in a race which wasn’t run to suit she raced well in Stakes grade at her initial prep & the claim is a big positive here. (10) VETWELVE continues to race very well around this level & can figure in the placings once again. (4) ALABAMA STATE beat all bar MERIDIANA fresh before caught wide last time out, that won’t be the case here from the favourable draw.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 4 – 11

Suggested Bet: MERIDIANA TO WIN.

RACE 5

(12) UNITED KINGDOM looms as the runner in the race with upside & the right form lines. He zoomed right down the outside of the Rosehill straight to win running away last start & the additional 200m looks ideal. (3) POWERS OF OPAL surely has to improve here, she was such a good filly in her 3yo season however she just hasn’t been able to recapture that form, interestingly she was sent to the front & given a good sounding out to win a recent trial. (2) SUN GOD was good fresh, big weight rise the concern.

Numbers: 12 – 3 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet: UNITED KINGDOM TO WIN.

RACE 6

The resuming (1) BRAVE ONE & second-up (8) ISTOLEA MERC the two for me here & the market sees it the same way. I’ll lean to the latter who has that run under his belt winning with good authority at Warwick Farm when heavily backed. Yes, this is a tougher assignment however with a little less weight & J. Mac to steer his chances of measuring up look positive. (1) BRAVE ONE has won fresh & was given a soft time in a recent trial, can he lump the 61.5kg fresh? (4) MEMORIA best of the rest.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: ISTOLEA MERG TO WIN.

RACE 7

The Russell Balding is almost a ‘mini-Everest’ without Ka Ying Rising, a few others & the 20-million-dollar price tag! Have to be with (2) JIMMYSSTAR who was a cracking run in the Everest & also the run prior motoring home from the back in the Group 2 Premiere. His Everest effort was tough as he was parked 3 wide & was also found to be galloped on post-race. The 1300m here is just perfect. (12) LADY SHENANDOAH hasn’t been at her best her last couple, she can bounce back here without any surprise, I’m expecting to see her closing in late wide on the track. (1) BRIASA had things against in the Everest & did beat Jimmysstar the run prior, can bounce back.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: JIMMYSSTAR TO WIN.

RACE 8

The 10-million-dollar Golden Eagle. Whilst I don’t want to see (14) AUTUMN GLOW beaten I’m going to take her on & side with the Japanese runner (12) PANJA TOWER who is already a Group 1 winner back home. He goes into the race fresh which isn’t a problem & brings even better form lines than fellow Japanese galloper Obamburumai who won this race a couple of years back. Well drawn I’ll be monitoring the market close to race time & if he’s solid I’m on! Absolutely no knock (14) AUTUMN GLOW, how can there be, she’s won 7 from 7 however this is clearly her biggest test to date. (3) LINEBACKER has really hit his straps now; Silver Eagle win was dominant after sitting deep throughout.

Numbers: 12 – 14 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for PANJA TOWER.

RACE 9

(6) WOOTTON VERDI has taken time to hit his straps in Australia however his last start Caulfield win suggested he’s right at home now. Well supported by punters he had the opposition covered early in the straight & was too strong in the run to the line. This is his preferred trip & he ticks the jockey, weight & barrier boxes. (4) MAISON LOIUS found the line well second-up behind the flying Lindermann, interestingly is 3 weeks between runs, just keep an eye on the market leads close to race time. (9) FIRM AGREEMENT can improve second-up.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 9 – 10

Suggested Bet: WOOTTON VERDI TO WIN.

RACE 10

Looking for the consistent (8) POLYGLOT to break through for an overdue win in this closing race. Game as ever at Rosehill last time out sitting 3 deep he didn’t shirk his task one bit. That’s not going to be the case here from an inside draw & he rises nothing in weight staying in BM78 grade. (7) GOLDEN STRAAND doesn’t fare as well at the gates however he’s the one with upside & he smashed his rivals last start running a track record in the process. (6) BARTOLF next best.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet: POLYGLOT TO WIN.

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