3 minute read
Friday Focus by Nick Berney.
ROYAL RANDWICK– BEST BET: Race 7 # 11 - Cleveland
The international raider comes out of the astute Joseph O'Brien stable, and his first-up run in OZ had merit. The five-year-old resumed in the Group 1 WFA Tancred Stakes (2400m), where he settled well throughout, got through his gears and hit the line hard, running an eye-catching fifth. Moreover, he clocked the race's fastest final 200m split and went through the line full of energy doing his best work past the post. He drops 8kgs in weight, revels in the testing conditions and is proven over two miles and further. The big Randwick track is also ideal; he has multiple winning ratings and will be hard to hold out.
ROYAL RANDWICK– BEST VALUE: Race 4 # 2 - Acquitted
Bolted in at Wyong last start on a Heavy 9 surface and ran a slick overall time for the day after adjustments. The Kris Lees galloper made an early move around the tight-turning track at the 500m mark, accelerated past his rivals, and pulled away on the line. He brings the clear best heavy track ratings into this event, and his action suits the rain-affected going. The gelding has a tricky draw, but Hugh Bowman rides, and he is ready to peak for his grand final.
ROYAL RANDWICK– SECTIONAL STAR: RACE 6 # 6 - Pierossa
She has been building towards a peak performance for her Grand Final, and her sectional profile supports this. The filly has run hidden closing splits in all of her three runs this campaign, and she hit the line well last start in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m). She ran the race's second-quickest final 200m in 11.60, only outmatched by impressive NZ filly Prowess. She is on an upward trajectory, and everything about her recent performance suggests she will run out the 2400m.
ROYAL RANDWICK– HORSE TO WATCH: Race 1 # 4 – Townsend
Is a nice type and will have benefited significantly from his debut win at Wyong. He raced greenly, got lost on the final turn and was on the wrong leg. However, to his credit, he got his mind on the job over the final stages and savaged the line running one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting. He is still learning but is a lightly raced galloper who can bounce off that performance and improve out of sight. He does rise sharply in grade, but Tim Clark rides and the step up in distance is ideal. One to watch for the future.
ROYAL RANDWICK– QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES: Race 8 # 2 – Dubai Honour
Read the runner-by-runner guide HERE…..
Dubai Honour brings the clear best last-start figure/performance and deserves to be the favourite. No knock on Anamoe, but have him marked longer than the current odds. Zeyrek looms as a potential knockout hope, and Montefilia's form ties in well against the two market fancies.
NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 3 # 1 – Invincible Legend
Hasn't been suited to the sit/sprint race shapes in both of his runs this campaign. However, his efforts have had sectional merit, and he is set to peak third-up over more ground. The gelding was well fancied last start at Kembla, and he surged to the line to run second. Further, he clocked the meeting's fastest 400m/200m splits and beat the rest easily. He has a strong platform; the anticipated genuine tempo will suit, and he looks hard to beat with even luck.
