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Chris Scholtz previews the New Year's Day meetings at Randwick and Doomben with best bets and selections plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK KENSINGTON January 1

Best Bet

RACE 8 (1) TOOMUCHTOBEAR: Appeals as a horse with a real future. Arrogant first-up win in excellent time on the main Randwick course on December 18 when he steamed home from last over 1400m to make it four wins and three placings from his first eight starts up to 2000m. Must be fitter and is certain to be more comfortable over this extra trip from a favourable draw. Weighted to win again as the smart move to claim 3kg sees him stay on the same handicap.

For Value

RACE 2: (6) STILL IN FASHION

RACE 7 (5) LEO: He's a Randwick specialist on the main course (four from seven) but he's only had one unplaced go on the Kensington track and that was 18 months ago when he struck a Heavy 8. He's a much better sprinter now and with a 2kg allowance for apprentice Chris Williams he is weighted to improve on his first-up fourth over 1000m in this class on December 18 when not much went his way after a poor start. Expecting hot early speed to give him a favourable run from the rails draw.

RACE 9: (4) I AM LETHAL

Selections

RACE 1: 7-10-6-1

RACE 2: 6-3-9-2

RACE 3: 1-5-2-7

RACE 4: 11-7-2-6

RACE 5: 7-4-1-9

RACE 6: 4-1-8-7

RACE 7: 5-4-1-3

RACE 8: 1-6-2-11

RACE 9: 4-6-8-1

RACE 10: 3-6-5-13

DOOMBEN January 1

Best Bets

RACE 1: (3) KINGSTON'S HERE

RACE 4: (2) SIMPLY FLY

RACE 7: (8) SHIHONKA

For Value

RACE 6: (8) SMART METEOR

RACE 8: (10) GARIBALDI

RACE 9: (13) KATALIN

QUADDIE

RACE 6: 7-5-1-6

RACE 7: 8-1-3-2-4

RACE 8: 10-3-12-5-4-6

RACE 9: 13-4-8-18-2

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

RANDWICK SATURDAY: London (R1); Secret Revolution (R1); Pantonario (R1); Nikohli Beagle (R4); Finally Realise (R4); Moonshine Lady (R5); De Grawin (R7); Badoosh (R10); Trajection (R10) 

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Shihonka (R7); Aim (R8)

INVERELL SATURDAY: Camp Rifle (R6)

MUSWELLBROOK TUESDAY: Anchor's Point (R2)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Flucuate; Divine Future; Shadow Devil; Roheryn; Coolangatta; Russian Conquest; Sherringford; Don't Doubt Katie; The Bopper; Elzamee; Written Doubt; Embeller; Starboreta; Nasturtium; Rise Of The Masses; Excelness; Celestial Spirit; Kanazawa.

TRIAL POINTERS

CANTERBURY December 21: Capitalist colt LONDON won his first trial over 890m with something hand (56.76; 36.27).

WYONG December 20: Russian Revolution colt SECRET REVOLUTION was the standout winner of the session with a classy win in the first 845m trial, easily setting the time standard for the 10 heats over the distance (48.84; 33.90). Settled three lengths off a pair of leaders until straightening where he showed classy acceleration to sprint past them under no pressure and coast to a soft 3.28 lengths. In effect he picked up six lengths in 200 metres – a sure sign of above average talent. He won a Randwick trial at the start of the season and he has obviously come on from his city race debut in October. CAMP RIFLE cruised to an easy 4.4 lengths in the fastest of the two 1200m heats (72.04; 35.14), an effort that says he is set to bounce back strongly from his last start on a heavy track in the Snake Gully Cup at Gundagai. He's picked up a couple of country cups this season and is in the right form to add to his record as the stable is always eager to travel to country carnivals. TRAJECTION (1000m 61.56; 35.33) and MOONSHINE LADY (845m 49.83; 34.53) were two of the better open company heat winners.

ROSEHILL December 14: The fastest 900m heat of the morning (54.29; 34.64) was won by the Gimcrack Stakes placed filly PANTONARIO. She was just a bit sharper over the distance for the subsequent Randwick winner Russian Conquest. The best performance in the 1030m heats was the close second by the talented filly SHIHONKA in the open trial won by Beau Rossa (62.09; 34.62). She cruised in second outside the lead and went to the line with plenty to offer, confirming she has held her form since her last start win at Rosehill.

WARWICK FARM December 2: Noted speedster DE GRAWIN provided the highlight, showing all her natural pace to lead her 815m heat by a big margin. Kept running to score by a clear winner in the fastest trial of the morning (47.07; 33.05).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 1

RANDWICK: He's Super Lucky (R4); Purple Sector (R6); Van Giz (R7); Speed Legend (R8)

FLEMINGTON: Fundraiser (R9); Capriccio (R9)

DOOMBEN: Jackson On Time (R7); Kiku (R8); Tycoon Evie (R9)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Mass Destruction; Dzsenifer; Coventina Bay; 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.

Blackbookers – Selected December 26

(Follow for next 3 starts)

AWAY GAME: Excellent return by a class act.

CASINO KID: Another luckless run. Close to a win.

GLITTER STRIP: Set to shine under right conditions.

SIG POSITANO: Would have won with a clear crack.

STEEL DIAMOND: Good first-up. Honest mare.

STORMY ROCK: Ready for a suitable restricted event.