Race 1 – 12:25PM WIDDEN KINDERGARTEN STAKES (1100 METRES)
6. Belvante
Seems to have reacted well to the blinkers in his trial, following a first-up run at Warwick Farm where he was kept safe in betting but didn’t attack the line. If he can settle nicely and get a genuine enough tempo, he could surprise.
7. Aryaam
Has the form on the board from the same day when she was run down by Satono Glow, who has since won again, though in much slower time. She has gate one to bounce and put herself right there, good margin to third in the debut run so has to be respected.
9. Blue Door
On debut for the Baker stable and comes off a runaway trial win at her only public appearance in a Rosehill trial. Market will tell us more closer to the race.
3. The Next Episode
Was a solid winner at Warwick Farm, same race as Belvante, and the runner-up (also in this race) has won since. Looks to be headed the right way.
How to play it:
Belvante EACH-WAY
Race 2 – 1:00PM TAB ADRIAN KNOX STAKES (2000 METRES)
6. Classic Gem
Is in the top four in the betting for next week’s Oaks so there’s a bit expected of her in this lead up. She is still a maiden but at first run for the new stable she hit the line strongly behind an in-form filly over the mile at Caulfield two weeks ago coming from last. Somewhat tricky gate but there looks a bit of a tail on this race and she’s hard to beat.
3. Soverato
Is a decent threat, she’s had three runs at 1500m or thereabouts and steps up in trip now. Close up behind Sixties in the Phar Lap Stakes and that has to read well.
7. Profoundly
Is an improving filly who charged home from a long way back in the Kembla Classic to put herself right in the finish in third. Big barrier turnaround for her and she can settle closer from there.
4. Feminino
Was the winner of that Kembla race and it was a pretty decent effort too despite the small margin on the line. Another on the up who will go forward.
How to play it:
Classic Gem WIN
Race 3 – 1:35PM SCHWEPPES CHAIRMANS QUALITY (2600 METRES)
A large chunk of the form for this race comes through the Manion Cup and by far and away the best run in that race was from
7. Taramansour
Even though he was a $31 chance. He was back and wide and had to circle the field but he ate up the ground to get very close on the line. He’s a genuine stayer, last win was the Pakenham Cup last year, he’s drawn nicely and he has to run well again.
5. Juja Kibo
Ran a close third in that race after having every possible chance in the run from a stalking position. He was there to win early in the straight but just couldn’t stick his neck out. He did run third in the Metropolitan in the spring and should be close to peaking now. Must include him.
1. Campaldino
Was quite disappointing in the Manion Cup when right in the market. That was third-up off a win at Randwick and while he still has the 59kg he’s well worth another chance.
14. Seo Linn
Is the head scratcher. She’s an import now in the Chris Waller yard and has three wins in highweight races and then won a race at Killarney in Ireland by a big space back in October. Hard to line up so look to the market, at least she has some different form.
How to play it:
Taramansour EACH-WAY.
Race 4 – 2:10PM HKJC WORLD POOL CARBINE CLUB STAKES (1600 METRES)
1. Rivellino
Finds himself in the easiest race he’s contested this time in and surely a fourth behind Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy and Attica in a Group 1 is good form even though he was six lengths from the winner. When he got into this sort of race in the spring he was unlucky not to win the Callander-Presnell over this course. Not concerned about the barrier as he’s not one that can make use of a gate and if they can run on he’s right in the game.
14. Olympian
Is at the other end of the spectrum coming off a couple of country wins but there does look to be something about him. Made light work of 60kg to sweep home at Scone last time and the mile looks ideal. Throw at the stumps class wise but he could run a cheeky race.
3. Matias
Did enough when resuming in the Phar Lap Stakes, picking up some nice late ground. Whether he just wants this run to strike top form is possible but an each-way chance.
4. Aerodrome
Fought on strongly from the front when leading all the way in the Canberra Guineas a month ago. He’ll have his chance to consolidate from that inside barrier. Could make cases for a few more, it’s that sort of race.
How to play it:
Rivellino WIN
Race 5 – 2:45PM EVERGREEN TURF COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL (1400 METRES)
Very even edition this year.
15. Fingers Hunter
Has a nice sense of timing about her and was hard to miss getting to the line strongly in the Hunter & North West Championships at Muswellbrook, just failing to nab her stablemate over the 1280m. Proven at this trip and beyond, not badly drawn if you can get to the outside and run on and carries 5kg less than her Highway win at this track.
4. Vermicella
Was explosive in winning the South East Championships at the Sapphire Coast, ducking and weaving from back in the field before darting through a gap and racing clear. It was such a supreme win the question is can she do it again. Drawn to do no work, probably ridden for luck again but gets JMac to help there.
3. Considered
Is tough to knock. She has won six on end and backed up her Northern Rivers Championships win with another at the Gold Coast coming back in trip. She gets a bonus if it happens to be soft or worse and the wetter it is the harder she’d be to beat.
2. Canadian Ruler
Was no match for Vermicella at the Sapphire Coast but he is a map horse in the race. Gets a perfect run from gate two up in or near the speed, won a midweek city race prior to last start, and sure to run well.
How To Play It:
Fingers Hunter EACH-WAY.
Race 6 – 3:20PM INGLIS SIRES’ (1400 METRES)
A Group 1 well and truly up for grabs. With the fingers crossed that the rise to 1400m can see
4. Campione D’Italia
Get a little bit interested early; his Slipper run was too good not to want to follow him in. Generally you don’t come from where he was in the Slipper, last at the 400m, and win so to get into fourth just two lengths from the winner and just look like he was warming up is promising.
6. Zambales
Was a little hampered in a chain reaction in the straight in the Slipper and he’s also run well beaten four lengths. Probably beaten by track pattern in the VRC Sires’ when he just missed so we know 1400m is no issue.
12. Streisand
Was runner-up in the Slipper after being right in the firing line all the way. That may have left her a sitting shot. Her Blue Diamond win was brave sitting wide and if she can run out the trip she has to be respected.
8. Outspan
Is a good chance at odds. He won his second start and last time out tried hard on speed in the Pago Pago chasing Warwoven. Like to see him held for a shot at them late, not without a hope.
How To Play It:
Campione D’Italia WIN.
Race 7 – 3:55PM ASAHI SUPER DRY T J SMITH STAKES (1200 METRES)
Always forgive a good horse one bad run. It’s with that in mind
1. Jimmysstar
Gets the nod in the feature sprint. It was just a horror show when he resumed in Melbourne, wrong part of the track and all, and to be beaten 2.2 lengths is hardly a huge failure. Arguably should have given Ka Ying Rising more of a run for his money in the Everest in the spring then dominated the Russell Balding and Orr Stakes. We know his best is good enough and he just needs to clear the gates and a lovely stalking spot awaits him.
7. Tentyris
Could do anything here. His Lightning win first-up was explosive then cardiac arrhythmia didn’t help his cause in the Newmarket giving away weight.
2. Giga Kick
Is absolutely ready to hit his peak after two runs back. Ridden too close first-up then just lost contact in the Challenge before surging to the line in some pretty nice sectionals. Would be unwise to leave
6. Joliestar
Out, having put two good wins together this time in. It’s the first time she’s gone back-to-back since her three-year-old season. She’s another we know very well and she’s a genuine threat.
How To Play It:
Jimmysstar WIN.
Race 8 – 4:35PM DONCASTER MILE (1600 METRES)
We’re really just banking on
15. Sheza Alibi
Returning to Randwick in the same form that saw her make a mess of her Guineas rivals a month ago. That’s not to say it’s a formality, no Doncaster is a formality, but with 49kg she has every opportunity. Sunline is the last filly to win this race and she had 52kg back in 1999, not saying Sheza Alibi is in her league just yet but she does look to have beaten the handicapper. Don’t mind her drawn out a bit, that’s rarely a disadvantage at the Randwick mile.
3. Headley Grange
Is flying despite his record showing he’s missed a place in both runs this autumn. But they were a slashing fourth in the Canterbury Stakes and an unlucky (not to finish closer) fifth in the George Ryder both at weight-for-age. Perfectly weighted to have his best chance.
2. Pericles
Has to go into the equation, it was a funny scenario for him in the Ryder as he was up there early then drifted well back in the field before recovering to run third. Drawn next to the favourite and he’s rarely far away.
7. Autumn Boy
Has to give Sheza Alibi 3kg which is one more than when she beat him up in the Guineas. Against that he’s drawn to get a lovely run and if the filly is unlucky then he could capitalise. Wanted to find places for
1. Gringotts
, second to Autumn Glow last start reads well but he has top weight, and
10. Attica
who just might explode with the light weight if they run along.
How To Play It:
Sheza Alibi WIN.
Race 9 – 5:15PM ATC AUSTRALIAN DERBY (2400 METRES)
It’s hard to believe
3. Green Spaces
Is a half-brother to a Group 1 winning sprinter and Everest placegetter in Trekking because he’s had Derby written all over him for the last six months. Signalled he was warming up nicely in the Randwick Guineas as he hit the line when it was all over then firmed that up at Rosehill as, despite it being not run to suit, he sailed into second place at the end of 2000m.
5. Storm Leopard
Backs up out of a fast run Tulloch Stakes where he settled third and fourth and just powered past the leader in the home straight to win pulling up. That was clearly his best performance to date, and Tulloch winners that impressive invariably run well in the Derby.
1. Observer
Didn’t seem to appreciate the slowly run Rosehill Guineas as he was left flat footed when they sprinted before rallying to hold down third place. Won the Victorian Derby and the double is still within his reach.
4. Deal Done Fast
Also comes through the Rosehill race and his chances were dealt a savage blow when they packed up on the turn and he was spat out the back. Getting to 2400m suits as he did place in the VRC version in the spring.
How To Play It:
Green Spaces WIN.
Race 10 – 5:50PM 4 PINES P J BELL STAKES (1200 METRES)
1. Inkaruna
Has been on the wrong end of the photo finish in both runs back, she was unlucky first-up before she was cut down near the line in the Birthday Card. Every chance in the run there but she has blinkers on now, not as well off at the weights under the conditions but have to stick with her as she kept improving through the prep last time in.
9. Plaintiff
Is unbeaten in three starts but the barrier has hurt her on paper. That said, the 1200m start is a straight run to the turn and by the last they could be down the middle. Not sure how good she is yet but she hasn’t missed to date.
20. Nepo Baby
Has had a freshen-up since a very game second behind Savvy Hallie in the Light Fingers back in mid-February where she was brave chasing the winner. Won a trial recently, drawn ideally for her racing style and want to keep her safe.
5. Agarwood
Tried hard in the Darby Munro when runner-up and coming back to fillies grade is in her favour. Rarely runs a bad race and has an each-way show.
How to play it:
Inkaruna WIN.
