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Selections and best from Chris Scholtz for the Gold Coast Magic Millions and Rosehill meetings on Saturday January 16 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

GOLD COAST January 16

RACE 3: (2) Black On Gold (EW)

RACE 4: (13) King Of Hastings (EW)

RACE 5: (9) Snapdancer (EW)

RACE 6: (17) Ranch Hand (Value)

RACE 9: (9) Beaufort Park (EW)

RACE 1: 8-5-16-15

RACE 2: 3-5-11-7

RACE 3: 2-3-1-5

RACE 4: 13-3-7-5

RACE 5: 9-2-5-11

RACE 6: 17-11-12-1

RACE 7: 13-3-12-1

RACE 8: 9-12-3-1

RACE 9: 9-4-6-10

ROSEHILL January 16

RACE 5 (6) He's A Hotshot (EW)

RACE 7: (8) Shaik

RACE 8: (9) Sally's Day (EW)

RACE 9: (5) Smart Image

RACE 1: 7-2-1-8

RACE 2: 7-3-5-2

RACE 3: 6-4-2-8

RACE 4: 5-2-6-1-3

RACE 5: 6-3-10-1

RACE 6: 10-7-5-1

RACE 7: 8-5-7-6

RACE 8: 9-3-6-8

RACE 9: 5-8-6-9

ROSEHILL MULTI

RACE 5 (6) HE'S A HOTSHOT: Going well with a win over 1300m at this course and three placings from his last five starts, the latest when he  made ground late on the slowest section against the rail for third behind the classy All Time Legend in this grade over 1200m at Randwick on December 26. Well placed off that performance as he stays on the same weight in the same class.

RACE 8 (9) SALLY'S DAY: Good mare is well placed to peak at her third run into her current prep after two strong placings. It wasn't ideal for her to drop back to 1000m at her last start at Randwick when beaten in a photo after resuming with an unlucky third behind Lillemor and Hibiscus Lady under 59.5kg over 1100m on the Kensington track. Meets those rivals on better terms this time and is sure to be fitter for the return to this more suitable trip. 

RACE 9 (5) SMART IMAGE: It's a leap of faith with this 3YO after he failed to run to expectations last time on a heavy Kensington track. Prefer to judge him on his impressive first-up win under 59kg at his prior start over 1250m at Canterbury that gave him three victories from his first four starts. He won his only start at this course last year and the addition of blinkers with Kerrin McEvoy back as his rider on a better surface are other positives that justify giving him another chance.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Trial Runners – January 15-18 

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Cork Harbour (R1); Remarque (R1); Academy (R2); Tailleur (R2); Lashes (R2); The Bopper (R2); Cognac (R5); Blaze A Trail (R7)

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Newsreader (R1); Exhilarates (R4); Irithea (R5); Snapdancer (R5); Misteed (R5); Readily Availabull (R6); She's All Class (R6); Amish Boy (R7); Yamazaki (R9)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Iliana (R1); Revivalist (R1)

COWRA SUNDAY: Alpha Go (R1)

MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Express Award (R1); Waafiya (R8)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Rocketing By; Stolen Jade; Estrado; Barossa Rosa; Velorum; De Grawin; Four Moves Ahead; Go For Gold; April Rain; Nosey, Forbidden Love; Exceltic; Shaik; Fifteen Aria; Ranch Hand; Vreneli; Solvo.

TRIAL POINTERS

WYONG January 7: THE BOPPER had his first trial since he won the Listed Brian Crowley at Randwick in October for his third win in four starts. Travelled easily in the lead in his 1000m heat (59.82; 34.57) and was never put under serious pressure when challenged late, finishing a close second in what was an obvious conditioning trial. Expect him to be much improved by the hitout. EXPRESS AWARD is a precocious Shamus Award filly who was always keener to go faster in her 845m heat, Jess Taylor holding her down under a tight ride for a soft win in good time (51.22; 34.74). She wore ear muffs that indicates she is highly strung but it's obvious she has ample natural speed.

RANDWICK January 7: LASHES is one of the fastest mares in Sydney when allowed to run. Led her 1045m heat comfortably by two lengths after 200m before she increased her speed noticeably from the 600m to lead by six turning for home. From there she cruised to the line under no pressure and while the overall time wasn't flash (63.34) she sprinted home in the fastest closing sectional (34.15) to score by 5.3 lengths. Magic Millions Classic contender READILY AVAILABULL worked strongly to the line to win the only 2YO heat over 1045m narrowly from the unraced REMOVALIST, a good type with definite prospects

ROSEHILL January 4: SHE'S ALL CLASS worked well within herself to finish a strong second in her 900m heat won by the smart TOTAL BABE (54.42; 35.01) and will head to the Gold Coast in good shape. Howver the star of the 2YO heats was the unracedt REMARQUE, an imposing Snitzel colt, who made an impact in his first trial win on December 18 and confirmed his talent with another excellent performance. Travelled easily behind the leaders before hooking three wide at the 400m where he showed real class to extend quickly and race three lengths clear under no pressure. Eased down late for the softest of wins while still running a quick last 600m. Big prospect.

The times in the open heats over 1030m were pedestrian. IRITHEA – always a good trialler - won her heat in the slowest of three trials 63.07) but clocked the fastest closing sectional (34.97). Behind her were some easy trials from COGNAC, MISTEED and SNAPDANCER. Godolphin won an open heat over 900m with TAILLEUR (56.49; 35.49), who did it well to score with plenty in hand in a blanket finish.

WARWICK FARM December 30: ACADEMY has been off the scene since September but he has moved well in two recent trials and did all that was required to win his open heat over 1175m in slow time (72.15; 36.36).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 16

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Profit (R2); Primitivo (R3); Poetic Charmer (R4); Wild Vixen (R5); Persuader (R5); Away Game (R7); Gotta Kiss (R7); Oscar Zulu (R7); Sambro (R8); Discharged (R8); Smartedge (R8); Baller (R8)  

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Starla (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Viral (R6); Kazio (R6); Strategic Phil (R6); Halvorsen (R7); Housay (R9)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Trengganu; Sacramento; Paradee; Bella Tiara; Montepulciano; Sword Of Mercy; New Arrangement; Hard Empire; Ellsberg; He's A Hotshot

Blackbookers – Selected January 9

(Follow for next 3 starts)

SUBEDAR: Strong return after his long layoff.

KISS THE BRIDE: Recent runs have given him the grounding.

BANDERSNATCH: Good sectionals. Better placed up to 1600m.

BRUTALITY: Gave away too much start. Going well.

JACKSON ON TIME: Strong debut. Should be winning races.

MARSANNAY: Did well from a tough draw.