3 minute read
The Sydney Spring carnival has been extended but Saturday’s Group 1 meeting at Randwick will always remain Sydney’s Grand Final day.
Two Group 1 handicaps, the babies kick off and we see the final lead up to the Everest, the Premiere.
The Epsom is one of my favourite races and much like the Doncaster there is a simple formula – find the horse who has genuine WFA form and gets down in the weights.
Been a while since we've seen one that stands out as much as Riodini – he almost falls into the too good to be true category as he looks poised to land Gai Waterhouse her eighth Epsom.
Quite remarkable given it was only three starts ago that he was beaten five lengths in the Listed Rowley Mile.
He appeared broken and had been unable to break the Timeform 100 barrier in three starts before two key switches were applied for the Chelmsford Stakes - blinkers and Rachel King.
While unable to muster any speed in his three starts prior, Riodini began a lot better and quickly found the front.
Digging in deep he was only beaten narrowly behind Think It Over before again very game in defeat when second behind Verry Elleegant in the George Main Stakes.
Rated 116 by Timeform following the Chelmsford Stakes he proceeded to take another step forward last start now rated 119.
In three attempts at the Randwick mile he has finished third in an Epsom (2020), second in a Chelmsford Stakes and second in a George Main Stakes.
Rated 107 leading into the Epsom last year, he has clearly gone to another level this preparation and only rises 1.5kg at the weights.
Worth noting Reloaded (52.5kg), Private Eye (52.5kg), Ashman (52kg) and Sky Lab (52.5kg) will all carry above their allotted weight while Riodini will carry 51.5kg.
From the wide draw he can either lead or take the trail. If he holds his form he'll be winning – simple.
Sticking with the Waterhouse and Bott stable in the Metropolitan Handicap with last weekend's winner Entente.
Following the same path as stablemate Herculian Prince in 2010, Entente is on the quick back up through the Colin Stephen Quality and will bring the same peak rating into the Group 1 handicap.
Rated 113 by Timeform he appears very well placed dropping to 52.5kg and looks to get all the favours on the map.
To steal a pearl from Marc Lambourne – there is no better lead up race to a 2400m race than a 2400m race.
Entente is the only runner in the field to fit that mold on Saturday.
Of the 18 engaged, 10 are up 400m or more while the remaining seven are up 100m.
Slight niggle on the quick back up two weeks in a row but he's trained by Waterhouse so that niggle is quickly taken care of.
Great race but expect Entente to come out on top.
Simon Dinopoulos' Tips:
Race 8 #9 Riodini @ $5.00
Race 9 #14 Entente @ $6.50
