3 minute read

Chris Scholtz provides best bets and selections for all races at Randwick on January 22 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK January 22

RACE 4 (7) AND WE DANCED: This lightly raced former Kiwi mare had trialled well but was a run short when she just failed to win her Sydney debut over 1500m in this class at Rosehill on January 8 when run down in the shadows by Arctic Thunder. She had shown excellent potential with a win and two placings in her three NZ starts and will be a tougher rival this time with her expected scope for improvement under the training of Chris Waller.

RACE 6 (4) TOOMUCHTOBEAR: Raced flat last start when he couldn't sprint after the leader For Value over 1550m on the Kensington track on January 1 after his super first-up win over 1400m on this course when he powered home from last off a fast pace in outstanding time. Perhaps too much was expected of him last time and happy to stay with him as he's sure to be fitter third up. He's been out of the money only once in his nine starts and this is the trip he is bred for, being a winner of his only previous start over 2000m.

RACE 9 (7) LACKEEN: The return to 1600m is the key for this consistent import to post his second Australian win. He's been out of the money only once in his nine career starts at 1600m and longer and clearly found 1400m too short last time when fifth under 58kg behind Kingsheir at Rosehill on January 8 when he worked home in the best last 600m sectional of the day. That came a month after his previous start when he was an unlucky third in this class over this course and distance, suggesting the Godolphin team had put a marker on this race for the 5YO. Tim Clark sticks and the rails draw must be a bonus with the rail out 8 metres.

For Value

RACE 3: (13) UPSIDE

RACE 5: (7) WHITE BOOTS

RACE 8: (9) TRUE DETECTIVE

RACE 10: (11) MORE SUNDAYS

Selections

RACE 1: 4-5-1-2

RACE 2: 2-6-14-4

RACE 3: 13-16-3-1

RACE 4: 7-6-1-4

RACE 5: 7-6-2-3

RACE 6: 4-9-10-3

RACE 7: 10-8-5-7

RACE 8: 9-13-2-8

RACE 9: 7-9-8-10

RACE 10: 11-4-2-6

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Capital Reign (R1); Silent Impact (R1); Moridan (R1); Emperor (R2); Sir Artie (R2); Northumbria (R2); Fire And Ice (R2); Plymstock (R2); Invinciano (R8); Bottega (R9); I Am Vinnie (R10)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Sumatra (R2)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Pomade (R1); Kipsbay (R5)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Chickerartie (R2)

WYONG SUNDAY: Amortal (R2); Cross The Rubicon (R2); Fragore (R2) 

GOULBURN MONDAY: Art Of Excellence (R1); Ghost Hunter (R5); Reateros (R6)

BATHURST TUESDAY: Bullet Force (R2); Single Touch (R2); Shades Of Rose (R3)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Chief Conductor; Pole Position; Eleven Eleven; Warmth; Broken Arrows; Stick To Your Guns; Moonshine Lady; Nikohli Beagle; Duchy Of Savoy; Flucuate; Divine Future; Shadow Devil; Roheryn; Coolangatta; Russian Conquest; Sherringford; Don't Doubt Katie.

TRIAL POINTERS

RANDWICK January 13 (Polytrack): GHOST HUNTER is a three start maiden and had never won any of his seven previous trials but his easy win in fast time (64.95; 34.02) in his 1080m heat, recording the quickest last 600m, suggests he has the ability to win races. Had no trouble leading and slipped them easily on the turn to run away to an impressive win by more than three lengths with plenty in reserve. Lightly-raced Maurice colt MORIDAN won the first heat of the day on the polytrack in the fastest of the five trials over 1080m (64.74; 34.94).  Dictated from the front and was always travelling much better than his rivals to record a soft win by 2.35 lengths.

WARWICK FARM January 10: Fast running 3YO CAPITAL REIGN has been well placed to win four of his six starts on out of town tracks at 900m and 1000m. He was the standout win of this session as he cleared out to score by seven lengths in his 801m heat, recording the fastest time of the morning (46.31) with a very fast last 600m (32.99), a rare sectional in trials on soft tracks. Godolphin won two 900m juvenile heats with the previously noted SUMATRA (47.79; 34.03) and NORTHUMBRIA (47.80; 34.55), who was well fancied when he made his debut at Warwick Farm last month. The previous trial winner EMPEROR was given an easy time in his heat, finishing third. 

ROSEHILL January 4 : Classy 3YO SILENT IMPACT was a standout trial winner in late November and while the gap between trials raises some questions he again showed his quality to win the fastest of the three 1030m heats with plenty in hand (61.31; 34.84). Always in control and liked the way he worked well within himself while his rivals were under pressure.

WARWICK FARM December 30: I Am Invincible colt EMPEROR had his first trial since he was placed in the Breeders Plate on debut and underlined that he is well above average. Travelled sweetly outside the leader in his 818m heat and dropped his rivals with smooth acceleration over the last 200m, posting one of the quickest last 600m splits for the morning (48.19; 33.96) and best overall time for the five 2YO heats. Should be a player in the good juvenile races. In the open heats over 821m the win by INVINCIANO (49.08; 34.01) was commendable. Hellbent youngster FIRE AND ICE showed nice pace to win the polytrack heat for the juveniles (44.90; 34.60). In other 2YO heats over 818m on the grass the heat winner PLYMSTOCK (49.46; 34.85) made an impression. In the maiden heats the better winners included REATEROS (812m – 47.28; 33.40) and CHICKERARTIE (815m – 48.40; 34.58). 

CANTERBURY December 21: Godolphin's well-bred 2YO filly SUMATRA (Lonhro x Earthquake) was responsible for an eye catching third in her 890m heat under an easy ride from Rachel King.

CANTERBURY November 30: SILENT IMPACT won two of his first three starts and you can expect him to build on that record over the summer. Did it well within himself to control his 900m heat from the front and extend smoothly when given a squeeze by Tim Clark to win by over two lengths in sharp time for the session (56.57; 35.54).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 19

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Desert Icon (R6); Toomuchtobear (R6); Greek Hero (R6); Purple Sector (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Glitter Strip (R9)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Fundraiser (R7); Gabeira (R9)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Zoukina; Vespertine; Casino Kid; 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.

Blackbookers – Selected January 15

(Follow for next 3 starts)

CELTIC GLORY: Can pick up a maiden win.

DEVIL'S THROAT: Will appreciate a big track.

EASY CAMPESE: Tough run. Will be fitter.

I AM LETHAL: Never in the clear. Forgive run.

WORTHILY: Watch the progress of this import.