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Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Randwick meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 – 11.05AM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
6. Honeycreeper looks hard to beat on the back of quite a solid effort against three-year-olds at Rosehill second-up. She jumped well but ended up near the tail and with the leader winning she did a good job to be beaten only two lengths. Close to peak here and chance to race handier so gets her chance.
Dangers: 2. War Eternal was prominent throughout last time at Warwick Farm and while Dragonstone was a bit too good for him he fought on nicely. Clearly the major threat. 3. Miss In Charge had the right run but still needed to overcome some traffic to win at Canterbury so the effort was good. Bit tougher here but could measure up. 1. Revivalist closed off well first-up then hit the line hard late to win a maiden at Newcastle. Shapes as though 1400m will suit and gets blinkers on. Keep in mind.
How to play it: Honeycreeper WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 2 - 11:35PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
2. Anethole has been quite unlucky in his last two Highway appearances and he should have been right in the finish last time at Rosehill. He went to the line untested beaten three lengths. Well in here with the claim and drawn to be a little more forward in the run potentially. Bursting to win one and hard to beat here.
Dangers: 10. Lady River comes through the same race as Anethole and her performance in third was excellent in its own right after having to swing wide. She's a little worse off at the weights but should be in the finish. 14. Artie's Aura is an interesting runner. Dominant on debut at Dubbo then close up at her only other start. Soft trial winner out at Warren since and seems to have drawn well. Keep safe. 9. Private Agent hasn't raced since going under at $1.30 at Goulburn back in October but he's another lightly raced horse that has shown promise. Trialling well and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Anethole WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 – 12.15PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
8. Super Effort had plenty on his opposition when first-up for the new stable at Newcastle, he sat wide and made an early move and still powered away. Has a heavy track second to Private Eye in his form and while drawn wide this is a very winnable race so he's well worth a look.
Dangers: 4. Fastconi is Mr Reliable at the moment, he's been racing well all preparation and it took a freakish performance to beat him at Rosehill two weeks ago. He'll be thereabouts again. 11. Miss Jay Fox finished ahead of Fasconi when they met two starts back and she was typically game from the front at Kensington last time. Sure to give a good sight again. 5. Kinloch finished hard along the rails at Rosehill and the extra 100m will be a plus for him. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Super Effort E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 4 – 12.50PM CITY TATTERSALLS CLUB HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
3. Badoosh looks very close to a win, he lumped 62kg and had to do plenty of weaving in his close up fifth at Rosehill at 1500m third-up. Nice drop in weight, his last two wins were at this distance and with even luck is entitled to be in the finish.
Dangers: 8. La Chevalee drew wide and went back before hitting the line strongly out wide to run fourth, just ahead of Badoosh, and has plenty to recommend her here. James McDonald and barrier one should give her every chance and she's the horse to beat. 1. Zing never runs a bad race and he was able to reel in a few stablemates to score over this trip at Rosehill three weeks back. Stays up in the weights but will be competitive as always. 7. Amoretti was almost two months between runs into last time where he charged home from the back beaten less than two lengths. Extra trip a plus and if he gets some favours could surprise.
How to play it: Badoosh E/W. ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 1.25PM ELITE SAND & SOIL HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
4. Papal Warrior has really hit his straps this time in and the form around both his recent wins has help up pretty well. Stays at the same weight as last time when he raced well clear of Bethencourt and O'Mudgee at 1500m. No reason why he won't run out a strong mile and he should get a nice enough run just off the pace. Take beating.
Dangers: 8. Café Royal fought hard to win at Warwick Farm then chased the whole way behind Expat two weeks ago and was still quite strong on the line. Will lead or be right there and is a good chance. 3. Criminal Code was excellent first-up at 1300m here then had excuses second-up a month ago where he drew wide and stayed wide. Nicely drawn here and expecting him to bounce back to form. 12. Bring The Ransom ran right up to her effort behind Expat when scoring an easy win back a notch in class at Kensington. She'll land in a good spot again here and is an each-way hope at least.
How to play it: Papal Warrior WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 - 2:00PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
6. Just Field is flying at the moment and was quite unlucky not to win a Midway at Rosehill two weeks ago. She was last on the turn and found all sorts of traffic in the straight but still reeled off slick sectionals to go down half a length. Similar sort of contest here, an extra 100m, and if she gets a crack at them she'll go close. Read trainer Damien Lane's comments here.
Dangers: 3. Catapult resumed in the same race as Just Field and also hit the line well from near the tail, making his run through the field, into fourth. Fitter and carries the same weight. One of the chances. 8. Wander finished third in the Midway in question coming down the outside with Just Field. He'll also be fitter for that first-up effort and is in the mix. 4. Henschel was far too good for last week's Highway winner From The Bush when running away at Kembla a month ago. Draws to be prominent and is a good chance.
How to play it: Just Field WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 2.40PM ACY SECURITIES HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
7. Great House might have been a beaten favourite second-up but his run was excellent and he sets up well in this race to post another win. He had to do plenty of chasing in that race and just couldn't sustain such a long run. Much fitter now, this race will likely be truly run and he's better equipped for it. Beat Harpo Marx comfortably in January so has plenty of talent. Read jockey Tommy Berry's comments here.
Dangers: 2. Mubariz is in great form at the moment and he was also brave running second in the same race where Brutality swamped them all late. Right in his element at this trip, yet to see a Randwick heavy but hard to fault. 6. Canasta is a bold front runner who loves the rail and he'll give a big sight again. Has won up to 2100m so if he happens to get any control he's capable of sustaining the gallop. 8. Steely has been racing well through this campaign and was simply too good at Rosehill two weeks ago. He'll get a nice run here and can be in the finish again.
How to play it: Great House WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 3.20PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
11. Blondeau has been costly since a brilliant first-up Gosford win but he's drawn to settle a lot closer this time. Had to make quite a long run last start which isn't his style. Drops 4.5kg and draws to be closer in a race that doesn't look to have high pressure like some recent tasks.
Dangers: 4. Oscar Zulu has been a revelation this time in with three very easy wins on end and there's no reason why he shouldn't go close once more. Enjoyed a solid tempo as the field broke up and he was there to pounce in the latest win. Goes up 3kg but drawn to get his chance again. 5. Surf Dancer is an interesting import for the Waterhouse-Bott stable and his two local trials have been promising. Keep an eye on betting and it wouldn't surprise if he does something fresh. 8. Mirra Vision raced up on the speed and fought them off for a game win over 1400m at Rosehill, downing Blondeau, to make it two from three this prep. One of the chances again.
How to play it: Blondeau E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 9 – 4.00PM TAX TODAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Expat is a very promising filly in great form, she's run them off their legs in winning her last two at Rosehill and only goes up 1kg for the latest of them. There could be competition for the front but if she jumps with them she'll lead and take some running down.
Dangers: 8. Starla is racing very well and she's again had no luck with the barrier draw which will force her back in the field. Her sectionals were strong last time in a small field and her big chance is if they overdo it up front and it's left to a swooper. 13. Eight Diamonds resumed with a very easy win at Canterbury and it'll be interesting to see how she measures up. Thrown in the deep end in the autumn so there must be an opinion of her. Keep in mind. 9. Steel Diamond just missed behind Gravina on a soft 7 here first-up then no match for Expat at Rosehill with the winner dominating from the front. Tougher for that and can improve.
How to play it: Expat WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 10 – 4.35PM HEINEKEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Irish Angel has come back a much more reliable horse and her effort to run second behind Magic Ruler a Rosehill a month ago was huge from the back, running some race best sectionals. Back to 1000m but hits the line strongly and if they can finish off she'll be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 1. I Am Power hasn't raced for eight weeks and yet to see a heavy track on race day but his last start win was very strong and he looks capable of up another grade or two yet. Claim helps and there's a chance he could be the best horse in the race. 4. The Bopper has the wide gate but come the last it may not be a disadvantage. Latest trial was excellent and has found James McDonald to ride. Betting a guide but good enough to win if he handles the heavy. 8. Our Bellagio Miss closed off well behind Malkovich over 1000m here then had the right run and was too good in the Midway two weeks ago. Reliable type and a good wet tracker so she's right in this.
How to play it: Irish Angel E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS
