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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick and Eagle Farm meetings on January 2 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RANDWICK KENSINGTON January 2
RACE 1: (10) Laurelin
RACE 4: (9) Super Effort (EW)
RACE 6: (4) Smart Image
RACE 9: (12) Tiny
RACE 1: 10-9-11-4
RACE 2: 11-3-6-2
RACE 3: 4-2-1-5
RACE 4: 9-2-6-8
RACE 5: 2-5-3-7
RACE 6: 4-10-9-7
RACE 7: 5-6-8-7
RACE 8: 9-3-4-8
Race 9: 12-5-1-11
EAGLE FARM
RACE 6: (3) So You Win (EW)
RACE 7: (8) Palladas (EW)
RACE 9: (2) Athiri
QUADDIE
RACE 6: 3-2-5-6
RACE 7: 8-6-13-18
RACE 8: 12-10-11-17
RACE 9: 2-6-4-16
RANDWICK MULTI
RACE 1 (10) LAURELIN: This Lonhro sister to G1 winner Kementari showed she has the talent to back up her big pedigree with a stylish trial win over 900m at Canterbury on December 15. She oozed class as she easily ran the past the leaders in the soft conditionsl, stamping her as one of the better juvenile prospects in the Godolphin stable. The stable will be disappointed if she doesn't perform boldly on debut.
RACE 6 (4) SMART IMAGE: Progressive 3YO made an impressive return to overcome a slow start and surge through the pack late for a strong win over 1250m at Canterbury on December 11, taking his record to three wins from only four starts. His only failure was in Group company at the end of his last prep and the style of his return has him primed to rise rapidly through the ranks. He's won twice on affected tracks and this should this should set him up nicely for a crack at the Magic Million Guineas.
RACE 9 (12) TINY: Godolphin had options to weigh up with this dual acceptor and have made an astute decision to target this race as she is favourably treated on the limit weight after carrying 57kg to a strong first-up win in soft going over 1100m on this track a month ago. She's now won two of her first three starts and an easy trial two weeks ago made it obvious the stable is taking its time picking their marks with this filly. Her name belies her frame as she is a big miss full of ability.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
Noted Trial Runners – January 1-2
RANDWICK KENSINGTON SATURDAY: Jet Pack (R1); Laurelin (R1); Four Moves Ahead (R1); Aim (R6); De Grawin (R7); Orcein (R8).
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Blazing Miss (R9)
WYONG SATURDAY: Go For Gold (R2); Flash Point (R4); Fischeur (R4); Casino Mondial (R8)
TAREE MONDAY: Enamour (R1)
MUSWELLBROOK TUESDAY: Enamour (R1); L'Esperance Rock (R2); Eighth Immortal (R9); Rocketing By (R9)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: April Rain; Nosey, Forbidden Love; Exceltic; Shaik; Fifteen Aria; Ranch Hand; Vreneli; Solvo; Triple Ace; Athiri; Aeecee Power; Smart Image; Harlem Groove; Converge.
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK December 22: A set where the noted runners handled the heavy ground well and should have no trouble performing in the wet under race conditions. The open heats featured some nice trials from good class winners BLAZING MISS and DE GRAWIN while the ones to make an impression among the 2YOs included FOUR MOVES AHEAD doing it easily to beat older horses in her heat.
CANTERBURY December 15: LAURELIN produced an eye catching first trial. She settled four lengths of the lead in her 900m heat before tracking up easily behind a line of three on the turn. Peeled four wide and cruised past for the softest of wins, posting good time (54.93; 34.67) for the conditions. Reckon the Godolphin stable have an opinion of this one.
RANDWICK December 8: AIM confirmed that he is set for a good summer campaign. He did enough to win his heat over 1040m (61.86; 33.68) and should take benefit from the hitout. The unraced Snitzel filly FOUR MOVES AHEAD, one we noted in her first trial in October, again made an impression with her soft win the fastest of the 2YO heats over 735m (42.70; 32.71).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 2
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Kalik (R2); Rogue Rocker (R7); Gotta Kiss (R7); Persuader (R9); Maozi (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Bella Tiara (R1); Housay (R4); Knowles (R5)
GAWLER SATURDAY: Montepulciano (R3)
TOOWOOMBA SATURDAY: Country Showgirl (R4)
MORUYA MONDAY: Golly I'm Lucky (R7)
Blackbookers – Selected December 26
(Follow for next 3 starts)
SACRAMENTO: Tough first-up placing. Sure to be fitter.
KORCHO: Nice effort. Primed to improve sharply.
SPIRIT OF AQUADA: One to follow in the Benchmark grades.
KAZIO: Ready for a suitable mile race.
BELZELLA: Keeps finding the line. Just needs more ground.
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Sword Of Mercy; New Arrangement; Hard Empire; Ellsberg; He's A Hotshot; Ballistic Boy.
