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ROYAL RANDWICK - BEST BET: Race 8 # 2 – Osipenko
Profiles well for this event, and he went to a new level producing a career peak figure last start when winning the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m). Further, he had every chance, but he savaged the line over the concluding stages, and his ratings/sectional profiles suggests the step up to 1600m is ideal third-up. Last prep, he was outstanding in defeat, running third in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) after having multiple factors against him. He has returned a much more mature colt this prep and gets numerous positive factors in his favour here. Additionally, he maps well, Nash Rawiller sticks, and he can improve again.
ROYAL RANDWICK - BEST VALUE: Race 10 # 8 – Written Beauty
Was restrained from a wide-draw first-up in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) and had too much to do. The five-year-old got too far back in a farcical tempo and had to make a long sustained sprint running on well, albeit finishing seventh. However, her sectionals were hidden relative to her finishing position and expect her to improve significantly. Moreover, her career peak figures have come second-up in her past two preparations, and a repeat of either of those performances will put her in the finish. Although drawn wide, she gets in with only 53kg, which will enhance her key asset in acceleration and watch for her late. Each-way.
ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 2 # 4 – Cafe Millenium
Caught everyone's eye on his debut after storming down the outside from an almost impossible position to score in the Pierro Plate (1100m). The John O'Shea galloper was run to suit, but the clock backed up his visual dominance. He ran 64.03 for his overall time, approximately 1.5 lengths quicker than the Inglis Millmeniun (1100m), a direct comparison on the day. Moreover, he ran one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting in 11.48, which confirmed his late strength. The colt is still learning, but he will benefit immensely from that race experience. In addition, he has a stack of ability, the smaller field suits, and Randwick 1200m second-up is ideal.
ROYAL RANDWICK – HORSE TO WATCH: Race 7 # 8 – Imperatriz
She is a four-time Group 1 winner in NZ with an immaculate record and is set to make her OZ debut. The mare has been racing well this prep winning three in a row, and she was ultra-impressive, winning the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) by a dominant margin of 4.5 lengths. Further, that form has since been confirmed with a subsequent winner. The four-year-old is tactically versatile, has key attributes, and her overseas figures line up well against her opposition. Expect a positive ride from James McDonald; she will be hard to beat.
HAWKESBURY – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 4 # 8 - Esky
It's D-day, but he has a strong platform leading into this event and finds a winnable race. The three-year-old is progressing well this campaign and has had too much to do in his past two starts. He has a positive race setup, with the step out to 2000m onto a bigger track being ideal. Moreover, he receives a significant barrier change that will allow him to settle closer, has a competitive last start figure, and expect him to be hard to hold out. Good each-way.
