Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Plenty of Group racing coming up at Randwick on Saturday with the Surround & the Verry Elleegant the features. Weather could be wet, forecast suggests it will be in the lead-up, I’m expecting a rain affected track however at this stage just not sure to what extent. Meeting gets underway with an 1100m Midway where I’m leaning to (2) SHAGGY who has certainly shown glimpses of his best form his past couple of starts placing at Canterbury. His pattern is to race up on speed; he’s won twice on soft ground & is well weighted with the claim. (5) FLIGHTCREW certainly doesn’t win out of turn however is very consistent & a wet track will not harm her chances one bit. (4) ZARAGOZA put in his best effort first up, hasn’t placed since however suited this grade.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

There’s nobody more reliable in Highway races than Matt Dunn, he’s trained a ton of winners at this level & has two going around this week who can fight out the finish. (10) MRS GOLDBERG surprised winning two back at the Sunshine Coast however quickly backed that up with a solid Eagle Farm second a fortnight back. Has plenty of upside, likes to lead & draws the pole. Stablemate (3) NEIL was well supported first up when out of the money, pulled up with a slow recovery suggesting we should forgive. (1) SIR FRANKLIN comes to town with a very consistent record, placed both fresh runs & can do so once again here.

Numbers: 10 – 3 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

Very difficult looking race where I’ve gone hunting value putting (15) KENMARE BAY on top. Yes, he’s taking a big rise in grade however has a couple of strong positives being the significant weight drop & his record on all types of going, he’s a winner on good, soft & heavy ground. Plenty of weight for (4) BEAR ON THE LOOSE however he’s a very consistent galloper who has a better record on wet ground than dry. (6) MR MONACO can improve second up.

Numbers: 15 – 4 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet: KENMARE BAY EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 4

Tony Gollan’s Queensland filly (6) PEMBREY couldn’t have been any more impressive on debut at Eagle Farm recently when putting a gap on her rivals down the straight. She didn’t beat much I’ll admit however she could only win the race which she did comfortably she backed it up on the clock. Confident she can measure up to this level & make it 2 from 2. (3) LUMBINI was no match for Warwoven at Eagle Farm, how good is Warwoven? Well, we’ll find out in the next race, LUMBINI’s turn of foot to win on debut was impressive though & she must be included here. (4) CIARON’S STAR is still improving & can figure in the placings at least.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: PEMBREY TO WIN.

RACE 5

(4) WARWOVEN was all the rage for the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in January following two dominant wins at Randwick on debut then at Eagle Farm. Unfortunately he went amiss & was unable to take his place in the feature & returns here off a couple of impressive trial wins. He’s the ruling Golden Slipper favourite & may turn out to be the dominant 2yo of the season. (1) FIREBALL was strong to the line winning the Millenium, unbeaten with J. Mac to steer has to be included. (11) CENTRAL EUROPE likely the best of the debutantes, beautifully bred cost plenty (750K) & is in the right hands, betting?

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 11 – 7

Suggested Bet: WARWOVEN TO WIN.

RACE 6

The Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes brings together a solid looking bunch of mares. (4) VERONA ROSE impressed first up in the Triscay running on solidly late almost grabbing second. She’ll appreciate the rise in distance to 1400m this afternoon & a damp track holds no fears. (1) MANAAL is a super consistent mare who just beat the top tip home fresh, second up record is a good one & 4 of her 6 wins have come here on her home deck, another who won’t have an issue on wet ground. Look for (3) FIRESTORM to be running home strongly late, she’s a bit hard to catch though.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: VERONA ROSE EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

First of the Group 1’s is the Surround for the 3yo fillies. Really looking forward to seeing (1) TEMPTED go around once again. A class above her rivals in the Eskimo Prince first up she ran into the all-conquering Ka Ying Rising in the Everest the start prior which is an outstanding form line. She tackles 1400m today which is a trip she was beaten over at her only attempt however that came in a very fast run Group 1 Golden Rose where making ground was no easy task. (2) APOCALYPTIC & (4) SAVVY HALLIE ran the quinella in the Light Fingers, they can do so once again here however in reverse order.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet: TEMPTED TO WIN.

RACE 8

The Verry Elleegant is the second of the Group 1 features this afternoon & the unbeaten (8) AUTUMN GLOW will once again go around a very short-priced favourite. 9 from 9 is her record & she was simply in another league when resuming recently here in the Apollo always travelling strongly before cruising clear of her rivals. She ran time yet looked to have plenty up her sleeve, can’t see how they beat her. (9) AELIANA can again run the quinella whilst the only runner in the field not trained by Chris Waller (2) SIR DELIUS can fill a placing fresh.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet: AUTUMN GLOW TO WIN (probably unbackable though).

RACE 9

Group 3 Liverpool City Cup should be solidly run. Very tough looking race, there doesn’t appear to be much between many of the runners, they’re an even bunch. I’ll lean to (10) ENRICHED on an each-way basis who although failing first up is a lot better than that, in fact that was the first time he’s been out of the placings for some time having won & placed at all 4 starts last campaign. Drawn well he should land a good run in the race just off that solid looking speed. (9) AXIUS is only lightly raced with good upside, finished strongly to score at the Gold Coast, confident he can measure up, look for a similar closing effort here. (4) ZARASTRO was very good first up just peaking late, I’d be keen from a better draw however still including, he’s a very honest sprinter.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 10

(6) ROSELYN’S STAR has been costly for punters this prep going down at short odds both runs. He’s been far from disgraced though & has run into a couple of smart types on each occasion particularly the latest when beaten by the very smart & since won again The Sixties. (11) BEV’S NINE is unbeaten & keeps on raising the bar with each win, not raced for 6 weeks however has trialled soundly in between, he won’t be lacking anything in fitness. (8) GATSBY’S has turned the corner of late & can again prove competitive here.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet: ROSELYN’S STAR/BEV’S NINE TO WIN.

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