3 minute read
A strong but potentially challenging nine race program greets punters at Randwick on Saturday.
The Expressway Stakes meeting boasts a strong card with a host of potential autumn carnival players commencing their preparations.
A lot of horses are resuming so there is a query on how they return however class alone should get them a long way.
Kolding resumes in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m).
The Ocean Park gelding was superb last campaign, winning both the Epsom Handicap and the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle.
The four-year-old returns this autumn with the All Star Mile and Doncaster Mile in his sights. That doesn’t mean he can’t deliver first up over 1200m.
Kolding appears extremely well placed under Weight For Age conditions, meeting all of his rivals bar Alizee on substantially better weight terms than if this were conducted under handicap conditions.
Outside of Alizee, under true weights, Kolding should be giving his rivals between five and 12.5kg so meeting them at weight for age gives the Chris Waller gelding an imposing edge.
From barrier 9, expect Glen Boss to go back on the gelding but with high pressure anticipated up front, the pair should be closing strongly.
Randwick on Saturday has an abundance of strong each way play possibilities.
One worth thought at big odds is Royal Celebration who contests the Benchmark 88 3YO+ Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m).
Royal Celebration resumes after a year away from racing following some strong form as a younger horse.
The son of Excelebration chalked up three wins from eight starts and also returned four placings.
One of those wins came at this course where he defeated subsequent stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter Evalina.
Three of those four placings came behind some highly talented types including star colt The Autumn Sun, Group winner Gem Song and Yulong January who is one of the form sprinters in Melbourne this summer.
Trainer Ron Quinton has readied the entire with a pair of quiet trials at Randwick with Saturday’s rider Christain Reith aboard.
From barrier 4, the pair should enjoy a dream run, potentially box seating or one out and one back.
The final event of the day at Randwick shapes as being a hot form race moving into the autumn with a host of promising sprinters engaged.
It’s Royal Celebration however who has the clear pick of the form lines and for that reason, deserves consideration at his current $21 quote despite there being fitness queries first up off a lengthy absence.
Speaking of hot, Saturday’s Expressway Stakes meeting is set to be conducted under near 40 degree conditions.
Royal Celebration is one of just three horses in the final event of the day who is trained at the track. Getting walked down from your stable to the tie up stalls instead of being floated through Sydney traffic surely in heatwave temperatures has to have its advantages.
Sydney Specials: Randwick - February 1
Best Of The Day: R7; #1 Kolding @ 4.20
Each Way Play: R9; #10 Royal Celebration @ $21.00
