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Chris Scholtz previews Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RANDWICK April 10
RACE 2: (12) Kiku (EW)
RACE 3: (12) Spiranac (Value)
RACE 4: (5) Duais (EW)
RACE 6: (1) Anamoe
RACE 7: (3) Sky Lab (EW)
RACE 9: (10) Cascadian (Value)
RACE 1: 1-11-2-3
RACE 2: 12-4-8-1
RACE 3: 12-1-3-5
RACE 4: 5-3-6-11
RACE 5: 11-2-6-10
RACE 6: 1-4-2-6
RACE 7: 3-16-1-2
RACE 8: 5-1-2-3
RACE 9: 10-2-1-19
RACE 10: 6-3-2-8
RACE 4 (5) DUAIS: Edward Cummings is starting to make his mark as a trainer in his own right and this improving filly is one that can put his name in lights. She is showing strong staying potential, having come off a break of six weeks to beat older rivals over 1600m on a Slow 6 at Warwick Farm on March 31 when she savaged the line strongly in the style of a filly who will eat up 2000m. Nicely treated with a 1.5kg drop in weight and it's a strong vote of confidence that Hugh Bowman is sticking with the filly.
RACE 6 (1) ANAMOE: The ATC Sires' Produce is seemingly Anamoe's race to lose as he brings the benchmark G1 form to the race having filled unlucky placings in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper from wide gates split by his win in the G2 Todman Stake over 1200m at this course. Came from an impossible position on a Slow 7 in the Golden Slipper and should have no problem handling the step up to 1400m with the set weight conditions clearly in his favour. The one query is how much he has left in the locker after his long prep coming through the Melbourne races but the Godolphin stable is expert at managing their top youngsters.
RACE 7 (3) SKY LAB: The Derby shapes as a classic colt versus filly contest between the Rosehill Guineas placegetters Sky Lab and Montefilia. Paul Perry has given Sky Lab a thorough grounding for the testing 2400m and his effort in the Guineas when he was edged out by Mo'Unga after sustaining a long wide run was an excellent Derby trial. He's built an impressive record on slow and heavy tracks and banking that James McDonald can give him a peach of a ride from his good draw. If that's the case he can prove the stronger stayer in what is likely to become a slog.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
Noted Trial Runners April 9-10
TRIAL WATCH BEST: Bahama; Tiger Of Malay; Forbidden Love; Jimmy's Dream; Statesville
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Paulele (R1); Subterranean (R1); King Of Sparta (R1); Bahama (R1); Poland (R2); High Supremacy (R2); Signora Nera (R4); Tiger Of Malay (R6); Aegon (R9); Nature Strip (R8); Forbidden Love (R9); Eleven Eleven (R8); Zaaki (R9); Tudor Music (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Superium (R3)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Jimmy's Dream (R2); Attestar (R4); Loolwah (R8)
GUNDAGAI SUNDAY: Statesville (R5)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Capital Reign; Shadow Colour; Enchanted Heart; Grande Rumore; Billiondollarbaby; Lillium; Signore Fox; Nimalee; Saif; Salina Dreaming; Le Gai Soleil; Rubamos; Splendiferous; California Cible; Just Field; Itz Lily; Kalino; Tidal Impact; Anagain; Star Cherie.
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM April 1 (Polytrack): AEGON, the G1 winner from New Zealand, had a big edge in class on his rivals in the open heat over 1175m. He worked well within himself to win narrowly (72.01; 35.91) from STATESVILLE, who also had something left after he went with the Kiwi over the last 200m.
ROSEHILL March 29: NATURE STRIP was the headline act and did all that was required to win his 895m heat by a narrow margin in good time (54.24; 34.49). He pulled his way to the front after 200m and was under a big hold from James McDonald when challenged over the last 100m by TUDOR MUSIC. They left the others lengths in arrears.
RANDWICK March 26: Classy filly FORBIDDEN LOVE has a sweet action that saw her glide through her gears under a kind ride from Rachel King to win with plenty in hand in her 1045m heat on the A Grass in fast time (63.83; 34.91). ELEVEN ELEVEN met the big gun BIVOUAC in his heat and stole the show with the way he had his rivals covered over the last 200m (64.72; 35.43), running strongly through the line with a lot to offer. BIVOUAC was out for exercise and was never let go over the last 200m.In other 1045m heats the big improver TIGER OF MALAY took the honours in the three 2YO trials with a dominant win by 3.3 lengths (64.47; 35.67) over the talented PAULELE; Melbourne visitor POLAND stretched out in good style late for a narrow win; and JIMMY'S DREAM looks close to a maiden victory after a strong win in his heat.
WARWICK FARM March 23: In the 2YO trials over 740m nobody would have missed the late surge by the unraced BAHAMA, a good type by Redoute's Choice having his first trial, to finish second in the quickest heat (44.52; 34.09).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – April 10-11
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Collide (R5); Rondinella (R5); Anamoe (R6); Tiger Of Malay (R6); Hilal (R6); Dirty Work (R8)'; September Run (R8); Rock (R9); Icebath (R9); Collide
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Better Get Set (R6)
BALLARAT SUNDAY: Zayydani (R7)
Blackbookers – Selected April 10
(Follow for next 3 starts)
DEPRIVE: Encouraging signs first-up.
GALAXY RAIDER: Typical late finish. Overlook his convictions.
LEGIONNAIRE: Copped plenty in a rough race.
MR MOZART: Gave plenty after a tough run. On the up.
ROYAL CELEBRATION: Plenty of merit in his return. Sure to benefit.
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Mo'Unga; Translator; Dom To Shoot; Masked Crusader; Mount Popa; Gem Song; Chaillot; Subedar; Scorched Earth; Nimalee; Emanate; Bonaparte; Marsannay; Poetic Charmer.
