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Chris Scholtz previews the Apollo Stakes meeting at Randwick on February 16 with selections for all races.

 

 

RANDWICK February 16

RACE 1: (6) Fiery Red (EW)

RACE 4: (5) Paret (EW)

RACE 5: (3) Kaepernick (Value)

RACE 9: (11) Harmattan (EW)

RACE 1: 6-7-1-3

RACE 2: 7-1-4-2

RACE 3: 5-6-8-11

RACE 4: 5-2-10-9

RACE 5: 3-9-2-1

RACE 6: 5-1-4-6

RACE 7: 6-8-9-1

RACE 8: 9-1-7-2

RACE 9: 11-10-4-8

RANDWICK PARLAY

RACE 1 (6) FIERY RED: The Golden Slipper picture is changing every week and this race will play its part. This Pierro colt has made excellent progress since we saw him in the Breeders Plate with two recent trials wins stamping him as one of the best youngsters in the Waterhouse/Bott stable. He has electric acceleration and expect him to use that to his advantage from an ideal draw that should see him sit on the back of the pacy Covert Ops. Worth a spec at his current Golden Slipper odds too.

RACE 4 (5) PARET: Ready to produce his best at his third run back following an easy tick over trial at Rosehill last Monday, having won previously off a similar prep. Has had excuses in both runs since resuming, especially last start at Rosehill when a soft track played against him over 1200m but still finished off well to be beaten only 1.5 lengths. Suited here by the extra trip on a firmer track with the key being genuine early pace as he will be ridden patiently from his wide draw.

RACE 9 (11) HARMATTAN: Progressive Godolphin mare can take another step off her strong last start win over 1500m at Rosehill when second up, having previously shown good potential over middle distances. She will appreciate a 3kg drop in weight from that win and a solid trial at Randwick last week has her nicely primed to perform over this trip.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Trial Horses engaged February 16

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Fiery Red (R1); Brutal (R5); In Good Time (R5); Happy Clapper (R6); Winx (R6); El Dorado Dreaming (R7); Madam Rouge (R7); Miss Fabulass (R7); I Am Excited (R8); Invincible Gem (R8); Frolic (R8); Manicure (R8); Princess Posh (R8); Villardo (R9).

FIERY RED (Warwick Farm February 4): This smart Pierro colt has really benefitted from his time since he debuted in the Breeders Plate in September, this being his second trial win in two weeks after a soft victory that we noted at Randwick on January 24. This time he really showed a touch of class with the way he led his 804m heat under restraint and easily went up a gear in the last 200m that saw him put several lengths on his rivals in a twinkling, clocking an extra smart last 600m (33.8). Rated among the stable’s best youngsters.

Happy Clapper (Randwick February 7): Class act really looked sharp winning his 1000m trial on the Kensington track. He settled some six lengths and three deep off the leaders before overwhelming some noted rivals in the last 100m, responding immediately when asked to sprint by Blake Shinn to run much faster time (58.20/34.20) than the other heat for the Group horses. He may now be an 8YO but he has rarely trialled better.

Winx (Rosehill January 29): Fitter for her first trial earlier in the month, the great one settled easily five lengths of the leaders in her 1000m heat on the course proper and was kept under a tight hold as she worked strongly to the line in the last 150m to finish a closing third, beaten only a half length with the feature of the trial being the fast last 600m in 33.30. Her improved fitness was evident and all the signs were positive as she ran though the line strongly, striding out easily for 100m past the post. All is in order for her return.

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Osborne Bulls (R8); Lean Mean Machine (R8).

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Royal Captain (R2); On The White Turf (R3); The Big Vin (R7); Norton (R9).

NOWRA SUNDAY: Blucarat (R4)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Archedemus; God Of Thunder; Gem Song; Fiesta; Carambola; Trope; Amercement; McLaren; Alizee; Autumn; Mollyfied; Lashes; Mameli; Tough Larry; Dawn Passage; Joigny; Call Me Royal; Itz Lily

>BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 16

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Rotator (R1); Brimham Rocks (R6); Nakeeta Jane (R7); Invincible Gem (R8); Frolic (R8); Jorda (R8); Smartedge (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Intuition (R3); Performer (R7); Adana (R7); In Her Time (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Tumbler (R9)

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Fighting Teo (R3)

ELLERSLIE SATURDAY: Botti (R6)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Reckless Choice; Rock; Andy’s A Star; Heptagon, Bons Away, Naantali; King Lear; Amercement; Harmattan; Sure Knee; Teodora; Gresham; Military Zone; Nahuel; So Si Bon.