Five straight Saturdays of racing at Randwick begins this weekend with an absolute bumper program lined up, headlined by the Epsom Handicap (1600m). The weather forecast is for showers, the track is soft (5) and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.
Epsom Field 🏆: View the Epsom Handicap Field
Race 1. (12:20) Gimcrack Stakes 1000m
2 Every Rose (Bet Now: $2.80 TOP ODDS) on top. The Mark Newnham stable is flying and he’ll debut this filly, who was the most impressive filly in the set of 2YO trials on the Kenso track. She sat off speed in the trial and was shaken up early on in the straight, given a reminder with the whip, and the response was instant, which is such a good sign for a baby so early in the season. Keen on her running well.
9 Stellar Pauline (Bet Now: $4.40 TOP ODDS) is a daughter of Not A Single Doubt that trialled behind Ticket To Ride in an okay trial re time. She was a bit and green to the caper but really liked the way she attacked the line when the mind was on the job. Stable are one of the best at producing an early juvenile and she’s bred to be handy, so keen to see how she parades and the market does.
3 Fall On A Star (Bet Now: $6.50 TOP ODDS) is a well bred filly by Zoustar out of the former talented Igraine. She trialled on the Kenso track for Kris Lees where she was back off the speed and came wide on the turn, but liked the way she picked up under riding and went on to record a nice win. Still looks a bit green, but clearly has talent. Think a fast run 1000m will be ideal for her.She isn’t a Long Shot as such, but they look the only three winning hopes.
Race 2. (12:55) Breeders' Plate 1000m
4 Beyliks (Bet Now: $3.50 TOP ODDS) is a well bred colt by Lonhro out of the former handy mare Ottoman. He won the opening trial on the Kenso track and in terms of the boys, was the standout of the morning. Sat off the speed before J Mac peeled him into clear air and I loved the way he closed off to win the trial, looking like he had plenty up the sleeve. Looks a good one and hard to beat.
10 Nitrous (Bet Now: $7.00 TOP ODDS) is a son of Deep Field who won his trial on the Kenso track. He led throughout under McEvoy and looked to move quite well throughout, going on to win by a length with a bit in reserve to the eye it appeared. Impressive to the eye and we know the stable are just about the best in the business when it comes to juveniles, so he’s a definite watch.
Not sure he wins, but for wider multiples, I’ll be including 2 Bay Of Bengal (Bet Now: $67.00 TOP ODDS) for Neil Godbolt. This juvenile has trialled twice against the older horses at Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. Visually, hasn’t been as impressive as the juveniles displayed in Sydney, but he’s got the two trials under the belt and stable doesn’t bring them to town for nothing.
Race 3. (13:30) Gow Gates (88) 1600m
His winning strike rate is awful, but 4 Dealmaker (Bet Now: $3.30 TOP ODDS) is flying. His late splits in all three runs back from a break have been excellent, the latest coming at this track/distance two weeks ago when a closing sixth to Junipal after getting hooked back from the wide draw. If he can sit a bit closer in the run and still have the same finale speed, I think he’ll just about win.
6 Shock Alert (Bet Now: $4.00 TOP ODDS) is racing in really good form at the moment for Bjorn Baker and the mile should be no issue. He ran over 1800m at Rosehill three weeks ago where he was given a lovely ride near the speed from Nash and though strongly challenged in the straight by Humbolt Current, his class came to the fore late and Nash lifted him over the line. Harder here, but hard fit and in form.
1 Mighty Lucky (Bet Now: $26.00 TOP ODDS) looks to be flying and I won’t entirely dismiss him here. Had one run for Nathan McPherson at Caulfield and produced good late splits behind Age Of Chivalry before going to the Cameron where he really had no chance given he was back and wide, but found the line well enough I thought. Drops significantly in depth and if he’s long odds, I could have something small e/w.
Race 4. (14:05) Flight Stakes 1600m
Have to be with 1 Funstar (Bet Now: $1.90 TOP ODDS). Was dirty I jumped off her in favour of Libertini in the Tea Rose. It was a brilliant ride from McDonald. He rode to beat the hot pot and did that, but in turn gave Probabeel the chance to gun her down, but she was too good, just. She’ll be much better when ridden more cold this time around and if that eventuates, she’s clearly the one to beat.
2 Probabeel (Bet Now: $2.15 TOP ODDS) does look the key and perhaps only serious threat to Funstar. Thought she was very good in the Furious first up behind Libertini before going to the Tea Rose where she worked home with real purpose late and in another hop wins the race, instead settling for second to Funstar. She’ll love the step up in trip and will make sure it’s another fab contest.
Going to give 5 Foxborough (Bet Now: $21.00 TOP ODDS) another loo,k Was keen on her first up over 1300m at Newcastle but the late market drift said she’d need the run and right it was. She loomed to win but last 150m, her condition gave out. I know the stable thinks she’s an Oaks type of filly, so with that being the case, you’d like to see improvement here, and last prep she was a lip off winning the Fernhill.
Race 5. (14:45) Premiere Stakes 1200m
Have to be with 2 Classique Legend. (Bet Now: $2.20)Was on him when he resumed in the Shorts and looked to have his chance but race fitness beat him in the end when a narrow second to the race fit Pierata, who had the run under the belt prior. Now he has the run under the belt and he did parade prior to the Shorts that he would take really good improvement.
6 Brutal (Bet Now: $6.00) is a fascinating watch here. The Doncaster winner makes his return to racing and he’s fascinating for a couple of reasons. One, he’s a star four year old. The other reason is what if he impresses here, or even wins. Does that prick the ears of the Everest slot holders, because the plan with this horse is to run in the Sydney Stakes on Everest Day. If he was to win here, why not run in a $14 Million race instead of a $500,000 event.
4 Land Of Plenty (Bet Now: $35.00) looks in for a good prep. Not sure he wins here, but he’s one for multiples I’d suggest because he has trialled well leading in, the latest seeing him win nicely at Rosehill in a 1000m trial. He is a Group l talent, but been a little while since he has produced that, so keen to see what he does here against some crack sprinters given he is better suited over a bit further.
Race 6. (15:25) Hill Stakes 2000m
I think this is D-Day for 9 Verry Elleegant (Bet Now: $2.50) and to determine if she’s a contender or pretender heading towards Melbourne and what she targets. Disappointing first up run behind Samadoubt in the Winx Stakes before going to the George Main where she was wide no cover throughout, and racing keen, but stuck on okay in defeat behind Avilius. The dry track is a concern, but big ticks are that she’s fitter and up to 2000m. If she’s heading towards the big ones in Melbourne, has to be winning this.
1 Samadoubt (Bet Now: $4.50) can bounce back. He’s been the find of the Spring, graduating to a Group l WFA winner thanks to the first up win in the Winx Stakes, then backed that up with a Chelmsford Stakes triumph. Then went to the George Main where he wasn’t really left alone and got found out late behind Avilius. Up to 2000m looks fine and the big tick is that he might get the cheap lead he’s after.
Another that is facing D-Day is 8 Youngstar (Bet Now: $9.00). She hasn’t done a great deal since her mighty run in the Melbourne Cup last year so the jury is well and truly out on her. Thought she was back in business after an eye catching effort in the Chelmsford, but then was flat in the George Main, but I think put that down to the mare wanting more ground, which she gets here.
Race 7. (16:05) Epsom Handicap 1600m
I think the obvious and safe play in the Epsom is 1 Dreamforce (Bet Now: $7.50). John Thompson has done a fab job with this horse the past six months. His two runs back from a break have been excellent, resuming with a dominant all the way win in the Tramway before pushing Avilius right to the line in the George Main. That’s traditionally the A1 form for this kind of race, he has the right racing pattern and is tough.
9 Kolding (Bet Now: $5.50) is flying for Chris Waller. Unlucky not to finish closer first up in the Tramway behind Dreamforce before going to the Bill Ritchie where he got things to suit, sitting off a good speed, and finished hard late to get the win in the last hope. he rise to 1600m should be perfect. The only query with him is where he gets to in the run from a tricky gate.
5 Gem Song (Bet Now: $11.00) will only run well. On the quick back up after racing in the Shannon last Saturday where he was ridden to win the race and in turn, was probably ridden a touch upside down, but was still quite good in defeat when second to Mister Sea Wolf, who was on the rail, which was the spot to be. Tumbles to 52kg, gets run of the race stuff from the gate…he’ll run a beauty.
Race 8. (16:45) The Metropolitan 2400m
15 Scarlet Dream (Bet Now: $7.50) is flying for Mark Newnham. She just missed out on the win first up when beaten a lip by Articus before going to the Kingston Town where she was one of only a couple to make up significant ground in an excellent performance behind Finche. Dodged the Colin Stephen last Saturday to be saved with fresh legs for this and looks ready for the step up in trip.
I was amazed they bet $34 for 12 Brimham Rocks (Bet Now: $5.00) in the Naturalism at Caulfield last time. His run in the Chelmsford, on paper, didn’t read great behind Samadoubt, but his late splits were some of the best in the race. He went to the Naturalism, stalked a slow speed, got going on the turn and his staying prowess came to the fore. Could I back him to win here? Not at the current price, but he’s a clear threat all the same.
If this was a wet track, I’d have 2 Gallic Chieftain (Bet Now: $16.00) on top. Archie Alexander has him flying and no surprise to see him come here and not go to the Bart Cummings. Needed the run fresh in the Feehan before going to the Naturalism where he was back in a slowly run affair but loved the way he found the line late behind Brimham Rocks. The big ticks for him are getting out in trip and the blinkers going on. Just wish there was rain for him.
Race 9. (17:25) Snitzel Sprint (bm88 1200m
I think 2 Signore Fox (Bet Now: $6.00) is one of the better gambles on the program. Team Snowden has this four year old absolutely flying. The Brisbane Winter has been very good form for the Spring so far and this bloke really came of age when he went up that way, including a win in the Daybreak Lover. Not sure what the stable has in mind for him, but his three trials leading in have been outstanding.
8 Handle The Truth (Bet Now: $4.60) is a Keith Dryden trained four year old that is heading down the Kosciuszko path. He resumes here with that race in mind, so how forward he’ll be here remains to be unknown, but off what I’ve seen at the trials, he looks to be flying, with a couple of sharp trial wins at Canberra under the belt to prepare for this and the big one in two weeks time. Hard to beat.
I don’t think 9 Roheryn (Bet Now: $6.50) is racing too bad at the moment. Had no chance two back behind subsequent Stakes winner Sweet Deal before being freshened up and racing at this track/distance two weeks ago where he didn’t have much go his way when a close up fifth to Sweet Scandal in a blanket finish. Should take improvement off that and is a leading chance.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Three Number 4 Dealmaker
NEXT BEST: Race Seven Number 1 Dreamforce
LONG SHOT: Race Nine Number 2 Signore Fox
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
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Leg Two: 1, 5, 9, 13, 15
Leg Three: 2, 5, 12, 15
Leg Four: 1, 2, 8, 9
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