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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick meeting on December 19 plus eligible Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK December 18

Best Bets

RACE 2 (8) SACRIMONY: Chris Waller clouds the issue with five of the nine acceptors but I can narrow it down to a rematch between STARMAN and SACRIMONY with SACRED COMMAND next best. SACRIMONY was having only his third career start when he went down by a nose to STARMAN over 1200m in this class at Rosehill two weeks ago, finishing hard in the best last 200m of the day after the winner got all the favours in the run. Expecting plenty of natural improvement from SACRIMONY as he is certain to appreciate the step up to 1400m from a better draw with a 1.5kg swing in the weights in his favour.

RACE 4: (4) QUEEN BELLISSIMO

RACE 10: (12) LEO

For Value

RACE 3: (16) SHEMAKESASTATEMENT

RACE 6 (3) SAIGON: James McDonald is the key factor here as it's a huge lead that he gets off last start winner ARCTIC THUNDER to stick with this mare after riding her in her return at Rosehill two weeks ago. Arctic Thunder won first-up for McDonald on the same day in an easier 1300m event while Saigon was stiff to be beaten when second to the promising Shihonka in a stronger BM78 over 1350m after she was held up at a vital stage. It was a positive sign that this mare is set for a good summer campaign and the fact that she won this same race over this course and distance at this meeting last year is an ominous coincidence.

RACE 7: (5) AMICA

RACE 9 (10) ON THE LEAD: Giving this fit and honest 4YO gelding another chance after his luckless fourth, beaten a neck, in this class over 1100m at Rosehill two weeks ago as I am certain he would have won if his rider Josh Parr had taken the right option at the 300m. His shift to the outside of other runners before an inside run opened up cost him the win in a blanket finish, underlined by the fact that he lodged an unsuccessful protest for interference at the 200m against the runner-up. Boasts excellent course and distance stats and he'll be right in the mix if things go his way this time from a favourable draw.

Selections

RACE 1: 2-7-8-9

RACE 2: 8-5-4-2

RACE 3: 16-12-4-9

RACE 4: 4-11-10-3

RACE 5: 7-3-4-8

RACE 6: 3-1-9-4

RACE 7: 5-8-10-4

RACE 8: 9-5-6-10

RACE 9: 10-8-1-2

RACE 10: 12-5-6-3

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Uncorked (R1); Holy Reign (R4); Frosty Rocks (R8); Bottega (R8); Purple Sector (R8); Bulletin (R9); Remlap's Gem (R10); Princess Rihanna (R10); The Bopper (R10)

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Hot Press (R1); Elzamee (R4); Ausbred Flirt (R7)

TAREE SUNDAY: Alibi Dot Com (R2); Don't Doubt Katie (R2)

TAMWORTH MONDAY: Sherringford (R3); Alibi Dot Com (R4)

SCONE TUESDAY: Dollar Magic (R4); Sherringford (R5); Impulse Control (R7)  

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Written Doubt; Embeller; Starboreta; Nasturtium; Rise Of The Masses; Excelness; Celestial Spirit; Kanazawa; Starman; Black On Beauty; Rupertaar; Socialist; Derry Grove; Rule Of Law; Short Shorts; Athletica; Ebhaar; Expat; Irish Angel; Sneaky Paige; Rebel Shadow.

TRIAL POINTERS

NEWCASTLE December 7: Short course specialist REMLAP'S GEM provided the highlight of a standard session with a typical fast performance in his 800m heat. All his six wins have been over 900m and 1000m and he is in the right form to add to that record when placed under the right conditions after speeding to a 5.3 lengths win in the fastest time of the session (47.96; 33.30).

WARWICK FARM December 2: ELZAMEE, an unraced 3YO by Deep Impact in the Maher/Eustace stable, worked well in his maiden heat over 1200m. This was his third trial and his progress should be watched with interest.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – December 18

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Sacred Command (R2); Welsh Legend (R5); Saigon (R6)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Jackson On Time (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Tavidance (R6)

AWAPUNI NZ SATURDAY: Coventina Bay (R6)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Five Kingdom; El Padrino; Totally Charmed; Brookspire; Bacchanalia; Our Heidi; Born A King; Mr Cancun; Ligulate; Spirit Of Gaylard; Superstorm; Vianello; Minhaaj; I'm Thunderstruck; Elusive Express; Montefilia; Belluci Babe; Shihonka; High Supremacy.

Blackbookers – Selected December 11

(Follow for next 3 starts)

ATTORNEY: Primed for a suitable staying race.

BOLDHINO: Luckless last 300m. Obviously has the ability.

MASS DESTRUCTION: Will find his right summer race.

REMUS: Suited in midweek company.

TOFF CHOICE: Follow as his distances increase.

VESPERTINE: Sure to benefit from her first-up placing.

ZEGALO: Ready for middle distances.