Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Another outstanding day of racing coming up at Randwick on Saturday. The Group 1 Randwick Guineas & Group 1 Canterbury Stakes are the features. Weather forecast is for possible afternoon showers, hopefully very late in the afternoon. We get the meeting underway with a 1600m Midway where I’d be looking at exotics as there appears to be 4 main winning chances. (4) ICEMAN, (8) KILBRANNAN, (3) ZENMASTER & (12) TARTANA all appear well placed off their recent form. I can’t tip them all, I’ll lean to (4) ICEMAN who should be right at his peak, ran into trouble near the 600m last start & did a good job to fill a placing, will likely be in front of (8) KILBRANNAN in the run. That one comes out of the same last start race when very strong late.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 3 – 12

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

The Listed Randwick City Stakes brings together a solid field. (5) CAMPALDINO did a good job first up here a couple of weeks ago in the race won by Piggyback. Drawn 14 of 14 he worked for the first 900m before finally across outside the leader, he was never going to win however stuck on very well in the straight giving plenty to the line beaten just over 2L. Drawn in this time he’s going to land a much softer run & prove very hard to beat. (7) PIGGYBACK did finish strongly to win that race, may want further now however has come back in great order this prep. (3) ALALCANCE a big watch fresh, we know the stable won’t have him lacking anything in fitness.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 3 – 9

Suggested Bet: CAMPALDINO EACH-WAY.

RACE 3

First of the Golden Slipper lead-ups today is the Reisling & as with 99% of the 2yo races of late there’s no standout. I’m going to lean to the Victorian visitor (2) CHAYAN who closed solidly on debut before very wide in the Blue Diamond yet again still solid late, she didn’t shirk her task one bit. With a back to follow here she could be the one going home over the top of the leaders late. (1) AGRARIAN GIRL led throughout on debut & was strong late, has to rise 200m, that’s the query, she may well be up to it, I’m certainly not knocking her. (3) MISS CHANEL continues to race consistently whilst (12) RACHINI has been trialling well, wide gate no help though.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 12

Suggested Bet: CHAYAN TO WIN/Saver AGRARIAN GIRL.

RACE 4

Hard not to be impressed by the Victorian raider (1) STRETAN RULER’s victory in the Silver Slipper a fortnight back. Connections wisely dodged the Blue Diamond & the Wild Ruler colt didn’t let them down winning by well over 3L. No reason he can’t repeat the dose here. (4) PARADOXIUM resumes, romped in the Magic Millions Wyong 2yo back in December before going amiss, trialled well, market watch. I was a little disappointed in (2) HIDRIX last run, maybe just gave away too much start, additional 100m suits however has drawn out & may end up well back once again?

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 2 – 11

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 5

No less than 8 of the 10 acceptors in the Fireball resume from a spell, who’s ready to go & who isn’t? The betting markets will hopefully help us out there. I’ll lean to (4) INKARUNA who has some very strong form lines last prep around the likes of My Gladiola & Point Barrow, gate 1 for Zac Lloyd she should get the favours. (3) BEADMAN didn’t fire in the Coolmore at Flemington however we can forgive that, should have won the Roman Consul prior to that & is trialling very well. (1) HIDDEN MOTIVE also looked the good winning his latest trial with plenty in reserve, draws favourably.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: Market watch race.

RACE 6

Very keen on the chances of the second-up (1) PINITO with J. Mac in the saddle. First up since just missing out in the Group 1 Queensland Guineas last winter she closed very well from last over 1300m at Rosehill 2 weeks ago. She gets to a more suitable 1600m today & apart from a few going around here I don’t see a lot in the race likely up to her level. (1) QUIETNESS certainly has a touch of class, resumes here at a trip she’s yet to win over however has placed 2 of 2 tries. No knock (5) UNLEESHING who is going great guns this prep, just has to cope with the step up in class however certainly has fitness on her side.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: PINITO TO WIN.

RACE 7

The Group 2 Challenge is a very interesting race with some very smart types engaged. I’m going around the more obvious runners & putting the resuming (3) SKYBIRD on top. Just the two outings last prep resulted in an unlucky unplaced run in the Moir before pulling up lame in the Manikato both at Group 1 level. (1) GIGA KICK is the class runner of the race, forgivable run first up can improve sharply, he’s still got plenty to offer. (8) RAGING FORCE is the pace in the race, the second placed effort behind Tentyris two back is a strong form line.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet: SKYBIRD EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 8

First of today’s Group 1’s is the Randwick Guineas where I’m very keen on the chances of the second up (1) AUTUMN BOY who won the Caulfield Guineas two back at his only outing to date over today’s distance. Resuming in the 1400m Hobartville at Rosehill 2 weeks back he sat back last before running home strongly into third spot. Well drawn today he’s going to be a lot harder to hold out up to the mile. (3) NINJA won the Hobartville beating him by just under 1.5L, no knock however I just would like to see him at the longer trip first. (2) ATTICA also comes out of that race finding the line well whilst the southern raider (9) SHEZA ALIBI is flying having won her past 4 on the trot.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: AUTUMN BOY TO WIN.

RACE 9

The Group 1 Canterbury Stakes sees crowd favourite (6) JOLIESTAR second up after a very impressive fresh win here at Randwick finishing too strongly to land the Group 2 Expressway. Honestly, she never runs a bad race & although her second up record isn’t at the same level as her first she still looks too classy for today’s opposition. Stablemate (7) LADY SHENANDOAH clocked in third same race; she’ll strip fitter & the additional 100m suits. Never discount (1) GRINGOTTS who holds an outstanding overall record.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: JOLIESTAR to win.

RACE 10

The day winds up with a 1200m Group 3 for the fillies & mares where I’m keen on the chances of the resuming (3) IDLE FLYER. A first & second up winner last prep she then went on to win again before down the track at Flemington in the Group 1 Empire Rose during Cup week. She started favourite there which was likely a bit much considering she’d been won a Benchmark & Group 3 prior. This is a lot easier & I loved her recent trial. (2) GANGSTA GRANNY has some terrific form lines through the likes of Autumn Glow, Manall & others last prep, wide gate not idea, might need a J. Mac special. Queensland mare (1) ABOUNDING is a class act who has been trialling up a storm.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet: IDLE FLYER TO WIN.

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