3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Tuesday’s Randwick meeting. Selections based on a good track.

3. Loch Eagle was expected to win on debut at Hawkesbury as a short priced favourite but just lacked some zip before running into second. Blinkers go on and drawn ideally he's open to enough improvement to go one better.

Dangers: 7. Headliner has been solid without starring in two runs back and boxed on okay in what might be a strong form race at Listed level last time. Strikes a maiden for the first time and no surprise if she's hard to beat. 8. I Am Lethal ran an even race on debut in June on a heavy track and spelled. Had his chance on the speed when resuming at Newcastle but fitter for that and is worth another chance. 2. Podium found the line well from last on debut at Wyong then raced closer at Warwick Farm and held his ground okay. Tactics will be interesting from the wide gate and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Loch Eagle WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

7. Mount Smart is a very interesting runner on debut for Kris Lees and a big market watch. Unextended to win his only public trial a few weeks ago, albeit on a heavy track. Gate one, Hugh Bowman, plenty to like.

Dangers: 10. Arranmore has been unfortunate enough to bump into a couple of smart ones in Able Willie and Espiona at her two starts to date. If there isn't one above average in this bunch it could be her chance to break through. 2. Avoidance is a well bred colt from the Waterhouse/Bott stable on debut and he's won both his trials this time in looking good. Will be on the pace somewhere you'd expect and commands respect. 17. Transformation is another one to keep an eye on. Three starts in Victoria have been fair at best but gelded now and his two Hawkesbury trial wins have been impressive. Could surprise.

How to play it: Mount Smart E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Espiona will be the shortest priced favourite of the day on the back of a dominant debut win at Warwick Farm, in a small field, at $1.45. Quick rise to take on the older mares here but she does look smart and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Hoover Lucy finally broke through at Warwick Farm two runs back then not disgraced behind Fangirl at Randwick. Drawn nicely and will have her chance to be in the finish. 1. Miss Sure Shot won first-up last preparation but did disappoint in two runs at this level before a spell. Latest trial was a nice one and she could show up. 8. Capri Of Tuffyis going well in easier races and while she's only won once in 19 starts another placing is possible in the small field.

How to play it: Espiona WIN ($1.35 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

6. Roots will likely concede a start from the wide gate but she does look well above average. Arguably should have gone close to knocking over Fangirl at Listed level at her second start and that form is good. Take holding out.

Dangers: 2. Lease will be close to the speed from gate one and he wasn't disgraced at big odds getting into third place in the $1m Bondi Stakes just over a week ago. Good chance. 4. Gracilistyla had excuses two starts back then atoned with an all the way win on a soft 7 at Warwick Farm. Mile should hold no fears for him, he'll likely roll forward onto the pace and is a one of the main dangers. 5. Holstein disappointed at Kensington last time but his run at Rosehill two starts back was solid and he could place.

How to play it: Roots WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

5. Elusive Jewel enjoyed a nice run behind the speed and after a small flat spot extended nicely to win running away at 1550m two weeks ago. Up and comer and if she runs out the trip she can be in the finish.

Dangers: 1. French Bonnet led all the way second-up then stuck wide and faded up in class here last Saturday week. Overlook that. Drawn to get a nicer run and is capable of bounce back. 3. Van Gogh tried to lead all the way at Hawkesbury but was run down, blinkers go on here and down a little in weight. Sure to give a sight. 6. Merlinite has been battling a bit but better effort at Warwick Farm last time on a heavy track and generally prefers it good. Capable of showing up.

How to play it: Elusive Jewel WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

7. Six Again us a real up and comer and showed she handles wet or dry with a strong win at Warwick Farm a few weeks ago. Takes on the boys now so still well in at the weights and she's the one to beat again.

Dangers: 1. Amiche is a big watch at her first run for Edward Cummings. Ex-David Vandyke and trialled at Deagon in early October. Has a handy record, chased home Fender last time at Doomben in April, and could measure up. 4. Warrior Hero tried hard to chase an all the way winner at Kensington first-up back in September. Freshened up and given a quiet trial recently. Has the inside gate and is capable of showing up if all is in order. 5. Moralist is racing well and this is no harder than last time when runner-up to Jerle at Warwick Farm. Each-way.

How to play it: Six Again WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

14. Mamaragan showed a glimpse of a return to form with a late close at Warwick Farm a month ago and backed it up looking sharp late winning a trial. Looks to be plenty of speed here and if he can run up to those two performances he's a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 13. Valaquenta is another to emerge fresh since running at Warwick Farm last month, finishing third behind Lord Olympus with a late burst. Sure to be running on again. 3. Southern Lad rarely runs a bad race fresh and has trialled quite well in strong company on two occasions leading into this. Must be considered. 8. Vulpine gave a huge sight in front at Randwick back into benchmark company when run down late by Quantico. Drops 4.5kg and if she finds the front could take catching.

How to play it: Mamaragan E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLI

6. Canyonero is as good a chance as any in a wide open race, at least we know what to expect. He'll drift back and make a late charge as he did when chasing Zoushack here last time out. Midway winner over this course prior and is in the mix.

Dangers: 7. Tony Be shapes as a big improver on an ordinary looking second-up effort. He caught the eye fresh and has been back to the trials since that last run. One to keep an eye on. 20. Good Omens had support first-up a couple of weeks ago and held her ground okay to run third behind Elusive Jewel. Fitter for that and expect she can lift from it. 19. The Denzel started $1.85 when unplaced at Kensington last start after leading. Only beaten two lengths but did have his chance, easy maiden winner prior and might be worth another chance.

How to play it: Canyonero E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

13. Too Much Caviar has been solid in two trials against the likes of Eduardo and Dawn Passage suggesting he can run a big race fresh. Trip suits first-up and measured up to this grade before a break. Expect he'll be on speed and hard to run down.

Dangers: 4. Vienna Rain loomed into the race and hit the front at Kensington last time only to be nabbed late by Blesk. Both recent runs have been excellent and if he can hold that form he's in the finish again. 10. Born A King is an import making his local debut for Chris Waller and his trials have been quite handy leading into this. May find 1300m a bit sharp but if there's any support it'd be notable. 14. Vucetich raced well at provincial level last time in with a couple of wins and has been behind the placings in two recent Hawkesbury trials. Drawn well and he could measure up to this level this campaign.

How to play it: Too Much Caviar E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.