3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick. Selections based on a good to soft track.
Race 1 – 1:45PM TAB NOT ONE DAY PLATE (1400 METRES)
2. Jojo Was A Man brings some nice trial form into his debut with a second to Wild Ruler in his first trial then an easy win at Hawkesbury. Expect at the 1400m he'll be on the pace and giving a very big sight.
Dangers: 3. Rapids is a very well bred gelding who showed his first glimpse of form with a closing second at Canterbury first-up. Big drifter in that race so it's an encouraging return. Should appreciate the trip and if he runs up to that fresh effort can go close. 6. Yangtze Rapids promised quite a bit early on and his best efforts were first-up. He's back since a tie-back operation and has been gelded. Betting a strong pointer so keep him safe. 5. Vital Verse led and held on nicely first-up to finish second at Kembla then again led on this track a month ago and weakened to run last. Might lead from an inside gate here and worth another chance.
How to play it: Jojo Was A Man WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 2.20PM ANNABEL NEASHAM HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Happy to stay with 8. Otelo who wasn't disgraced last week at Warwick Farm off a wide gate, he boxed on pretty well beaten three lengths. Interesting to see what he can do off a soft draw especially after his eye-catching debut at this track.
Dangers: 1. Athelric gave plenty of cheek behind Stay Inside first-up then $1.75 favourite and fair to say he was disappointing at Newcastle in a 900m maiden. If he runs up to the first-up performance or his Breeders' Plate debut he'll be hard to beat. 10. Oblivion might be an improver on his debut fifth at Canberra. He did trial quite well leading into that run and while drawn out rather keep him safe. 4. Jerry comes off an easy trial win at Hawkesbury where he raced clear late in the gallop. If there's any support for him it wouldn't surprise to see him figure in the finish.
How to play it: Otelo E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:55PM CHARLOTTE INGLIS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Glittery will need some luck and a race run to suit but there was plenty to like about how she found the line at her second start at Newcastle when back to 900m. Half-sister to Bivouac and she's a good each-way chance.
Dangers: 12. Why Doubt showed plenty of speed and held a comfortable margin at the finish of her latest trial at Randwick a few weeks ago. Drawn to land on the speed and she could take some running down. 7. Najmaty is out of a dual Group 3 winning mare and she couldn't have done anything more winning her latest trial at Hawkesbury by a big space. James McDonald rode her in that trial and stays on here. Respect. 2. Completion has only trialled once leading into this race and it was a handy enough effort running fourth at Rosehill last week. Interesting to see what she can do under race pressure. Another to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Glittery E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:30PM CATHY MCEVOY PLATE (1150 METRES)
8. Goddess is a nicely bred filly on debut who bears close watching. Ran past September Run with the blinkers on in a trial in January last year. No blinkers in latest Gosford trial. Shades go back on here, drawn well, top jockey rides. Keep safe.
Dangers: 9. Oh Say has promised plenty but yet to get on the board in two starts. Every chance when a beaten favourite before a break in October on this track but did trial quite nicely last week. This could be her preparation so worth another chance. 7. Egao improved on what he showed on debut with six weeks between runs into a close third at Canterbury to Military Parade after sitting on the speed. Include in the chances. 5. Raoul had every chance when beaten by Kalashnikov at Gosford last time out, as he's had in all three starts. He'll probably win one soon but hard to be confident on the resolve he's showing at present.
How to play it: Goddess E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 4:05PM BONNIE MILLER HANDICAP (1150 METRES)
5. Vowmaster had nothing go right first-up at Rosehill on a heavy track and the run should be forgotten. Trialled like a potential star prior and his two wins last prep were exciting. While he will be a short priced favourite again he has to be given another chance.
Dangers: 3. Tinker Mcphee is an ex-Kiwi filly now with Chris Waller and she showed some purpose in her latest trial at Rosehill last week. Ran a close fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas in NZ in November so has some quality. Keep safe. 6. Damaged had cardiac arrhythmia when he was a beaten favourite before a spell at Warwick Farm in September so that can be excused. Latest trial was okay and he's shown enough to say he can show up here if he's 100 per cent. 4. Matchmaker is another ex-Kiwi filly with the Waller yard. She was a Listed winner in October and ran last in the 1000 Guineas at her latest start. Nothing wrong with her trials and no surprise to see her run well.
How to play it: Vowmaster WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 4:40PM LIZZIE JELFS HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
7. Glamour Fox has returned in good shape this time in winning second-up at Gosford (metro meeting) with a late burst from behind the speed. That backed up a sound fresh effort. Doesn't look any harder here despite going up a notch in grade. Go well again.
Dangers: 1. Archanna has shown plenty of ability and did enjoy a good spring preparation. Had support first-up but didn't really fire at Randwick so the jury is out a bit, as she has handled a wet track before. Back a couple of grades here and should improve. 2. Above And Beyond is racing in great form and has looked the winner at his past two starts before being just outgunned in the last 100m. If Tom Marquand can get the timing spot on he's capable of going close again. 9. Laila De Vega tends to race well her though she was a little disappointing last time. Comes back slightly in distance and she's worth including in the each-way chances.
How to play it: Glamour Fox E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 – 5:15PM ANGELA BELLE MCSWEENEY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
5. Brookspire is a very promising filly and she produced a flashing light run first-up behind Harmony Rose over this course three weeks ago. She's drawn a lot better this time so likely to be a little closer and should take plenty of beating.
Dangers: 10. Orpheum should have been right in the finish last time out at Canterbury but had no luck at all and did a huge job to be beaten 2.3 lengths. This is a little harder but at the each-way price she has a case to be thrown in the multiples. 11. Dundee Lee ran a couple of even races then all of a sudden put almost seven lengths on her opposition in a BM64 at Newcastle third-up. Respecting the margin there, she's drawn well and could measure up. 6. Easifar enjoyed a good first preparation and also has some form around Harmony Rose from her last start where she started $3 and ran fourth. No surprise to see her run well fresh at 1400m.
How to play it: Brookspire WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 5:50PM JENNY MCALPINE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Exceltic is an excellent each-way chance. He's racing well and if there's any rain it only enhances his chances. Beaten less than half a length at his past two in similar races and if he finds a back to follow he'll have last look at them.
Dangers: 2. Julian Rock can be a little hard to catch but he improved sharply second-up to just fail here three weeks ago. He hit the lead there and was outpointed late. That was his best run for a while so if he is on the way back and can hold form he's a chance. 13. Blesk is another that can be inconsistent but his first-up second to subsequent Listed winner Equation was excellent as he charged home from the back. Fitter for that and a repeat performance sees him go close. 3. Stormy Rock comes through the same race at Canterbury where he ran a solid third without threatening. Blinkers go back on and drawn well so he can be in the mix again.
How to play it: Exceltic E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
