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Chris Scholtz previews Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick on April 4 with selections for all races, Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK SATURDAY
RACE 3 (6) Julian Rock (EW)
RACE 4: (3) Colette
RACE 6: (8) Ole Kirk (EW)
RACE 8: (2) Pierata (Value)
RACE 9: (17) Shared Ambition (EW)
RACE 10 (2) Rubisaki
RACE 1: 2-4-1-5
RACE 2: 3-5-2-1
RACE 3: 6-1-7-2
RACE 4: 3-10-2-1
RACE 5: 11-3-5-2
RACE 6: 8-1-3-7
RACE 7: 1-2-3-6
RACE 8: 2-7-1-3
RACE 9: 17-9-19-12
RACE 10: 2-6-12-5
RACE 4 (3) COLETTE: If getting a filly to the Oaks is all about timing then the Godolphin stable is in a strong position with this rapidly improving miss who has had only five starts and is still a long way from her peak. Her thumping provincial wins at her last two starts some six weeks apart over 1885m and 1600m have stamped her as a filly with the talent and scope to go all the way to the classic at Randwick next week. The affected track should not be a concern judging by the way she smashed her rivals on a soft surface in her first win at Newcastle.
RACE 8 (2) PIERATA: With due respect to The Everest this is the race that determines Australia's champion sprinter. The pressure will be immense and will favour this strong finisher who has had a perfect prep for the 1200m off two trials and his impressive closing fifth under the topweight in the G1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago. Better placed under the wfa scale, he flies second up and is generously priced for a course and distance specialist who excels in soft ground.
RACE 10 (2) RUBISAKI: Impressive Victorian filly has won her last four and is perfectly placed to extend her sequence that includes strong finishing victories in the rich Inglis Sprint at Warwick Farm and the G2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington at her last two starts. She obviously copes well with the travel and is proving to be a super performer on wet tracks, having recorded five of her six wins in soft and heavy ground. A soft provincial trial has offset the month since her last win over 1400m.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 4-6
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Rulership (R1); Not An Option (R1); Harmonium (R1); Julian Rock (R3); Magnalane (R3); Ole Kirk (R6); Nature Strip (R8); Santa Ana Lane (R8); Trekking (R8); Kings Will Dream (R9); Homesman (R9)
RANDWICK March 27: A significant set of trials as they featured a big number of contenders for the major Group races at Randwick. None worked better than NATURE STRIP in a very strong trial where he beat his old rivals SANTA ANA LANE and REDZEL in the fastest time of the nine 1050m heats (61.12; 34.40) with James McDonald swinging to him through the line. SANTA ANA LANE worked into it from the back in great style and looks ready to produce his best when they meet in the TJ Smith. REDZEL travelled strongly in the lead but the first pair had his measure on the line.
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Air To Air (R1); East Asia (R1); Auxin (R6); Golwen (R7)
WELLINGTON SUNDAY: Colonel (R7)
SCONE MONDAY: Rizzuto (R1)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Threeood; Bethencourt; Corcra; Coruscate; Forbidden Love; Damaged; Side Hustle; Nowyunome; Star Of The Seas; McCormack; Chianti; Phoenician Queen; Fast 'N' Forward; Nettoyer; Fasika; Zakat; Top Prospect; Doubtland; Mirra Vision.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 4-7
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Fascino (R4); Mirage Dancer (R5); Carif (R5); Gayatri (R5); House Of Cartier (R5); Mamaragan (R6); Aim (R6); Ole Kirk (R6); Dismissal (R6); Warning (R7); Kings Will Dream (R9); Yulong Prince (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Miss Iano (R6); Russian Camelot (R7); Yourdeel (R9)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Star Hills (R6)
TOOWOOMBA SUNDAY: Champagne Vega (R7)
KEMBLA GRANGE TUESDAY: Foxie La Belle (R3); Karmazone (R4)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Affair To Remember; Big Night Out; I Am Excited; Miss Exfactor; Castelvecchio, Star Of Michelin; Indy Car; Con Te Partiro; River Night; Shared Ambition; Zebrowksi; Dawn Dawn; Fifty Stars; Fabulonh; Naval Strike.
Blackbook Horses to follow – Selected March 28
(Selected horses be followed at next three starts)
KEMENTARI: Bold return. Still has the talent.
SURREY THUNDER: Another nice import for the Waller stable.
CARIF: Wait for him to find a suitable handicap.
MASK OF TIME: Game effort. Should be improved.
LOVE YOU LUCY: Set for another good campaign.
DITMAS: Will be suited in something longer.
MIDAS PRINCE: Big finish first-up. Strong stayer.
SIMPLY OPTIMISTIC: Would have won with better luck.
HE IS GOLDEN: Forgive this run. Poor ride.
