RANDWICK

 

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2018

 

TRACK:  GOOD 4 (5.1)

 

RAIL: +4M

 

 

 

BEST BETS

 

RACE 1 Number 2 O’LORDY

RACE 4 Number 2 BRATISLAVA

RACE 9 Number 6 VAUCLUSE BAY

 

 

RACE 1

2-5-3-6

The big query is can O’LORDY run the mile and I am leaning on the side of yes and with barrier one it will be a huge plus. She will sit just behind one or two and with only a leisurely tempo expected I think she can round them up and get us off to a flyer at good odds. Bray did a good job to win at Scone making it two on the trot after a year off the scene. The extra trip doesn’t look like being a concern for him. General Harmony is another coming off a Scone win and it was ultra impressive after working a bit in the run before putting the opposition to the word.

 

RACE 2

5-3-1-2

Looks a very tricky race but I have finally settled on PENDELOQUE who was impressive winning here when fresh a fortnight ago. Different race here as I doubt she can lead with Puppet Master drawn gate one but I expect her to settle probably behind a couple and pounce inside the final furlong. The value for me in the race is Lightz who has been freshened with a 10 week break and with a solid speed he will get his chance to charge hard in the run home. Kennedy has been consistent and may well appreciate the shorter trip while Puppet Master will give them something chase.

 

RACE 3

1-3-2-4

I was starting to think GREAT GLEN wasn’t much good but with the switch in racing pattern and now being ridden aggressively on-pace he has found a new desire and is racing in terrific form. I expect today he will come out running but may well end on the back of Coonawarra but as long as they are rolling along he will take plenty of running down. Cordero is low flying and showed last start the 2400m isn’t an issue and he is a major player again. Richard Of Yorke is just about cherry ripe with three runs under his belt this preparation so don’t underestimate him here.

 

RACE 4

2-5-4-8

Looks two leading contenders here but with the way the race maps out here I think BRATISLAVA can get the chocolates by controlling the event up front. He was outstanding first up beating his stablemate Malaise who has was able to win last weekend here when carrying 61.6kg before showing a big heart when narrowly beaten. He has had three weeks to recover from that effort and should be hard to toss here. Reach For Heaven is first up and although the speed map looks against him he has reacted off slow speed races previously. He has been given three barrier trials and all have been good efforts. Adjective looks the knockout to me at good odds.

 

RACE 5

11-1-8-6

REWARD FOR FASHION was very good here two weeks ago in the final race when running along and with 51kg on her back today I am sure she will be in front for a long way. Hopefully to the winning post I say. Machine-gun Jubs comes out a quality race last start a month ago so much be highly regarded here but will need to carry 60kg even after the apprentices claim. The good barrier will offset the weight carrying a bit. Kawaikini is a handy mare and comes through the same race as Reward For Fashion and with a good tempo expected again today they will know she’s there in the run to the line. Nonpareil looked disappointing first up when favourite and look she probably was but with the run under her belt and step up to 1200m she must be considered a player.

 

RACE 6

3-1-6-5

I found this race a very tricky one to convince myself about other than to say there is three genuine winning chances and one blow out. For the record I’ve sided with MORTON’S FORK who has returned in good form with two solid runs and looks just about spot on for today race. Supply And Demand has been all over the country and although I thought it would take its toll he was outstanding here in Sydney three weeks ago and the extra furlong today may enable him to apply pressure to Dreamforce and give him his chance. Dreamforce is low flying winning over this course and distance a fortnight ago by 5.5 lengths. If he gets a few easy sectionals they won’t see which way he goes. Liapari is the only other possible winning chance.

 

RACE 7

8-2-9-5

I think SAMADOUBT can take this race by the scruff of the neck and find the front and prove too quick for his opposition. His latest two runs have convinced me he has matured into a handy galloper and I liked his fight last start when beaten just a half length behind Malaise and Level Eight. Rachel King rides leaders particularly well and I’m sure this will be no different. Outside of him I think there is nothing between New Universe, Sizzling Bullet who is now a gelding and the equal favourite Eusebio who has very good second up form.

 

RACE 8

5-6-11-10

 

SUGAR BELLA looks the one to beat and is a good thing’s price well in the red. She has been outstanding in both wins this preparation and looks very hard to roll here but there are a few things different with today’s race. There is no real speed to speak of and she is stepping to 1400m which she has won at but it was against moderate opposition at Goulburn. That said she will take some holding out. The horse I see as the biggest threat is Gitan who should lead and if left along will give a big kick. I am throwing both in the quaddrella. Aquatic is capable of sprinting quickly off an even tempo so perhaps he’s the other hope.

 

RACE 9

6-9-4-1

VAUCLUSE BAY is drawn poorly and will need luck in the first part of the race but I’m convinced if he gets it he will be very hard to beat. There looks good speed and I am expecting the horse drawn the outside gate to hopefully push Vaucluse Bay across into a nice spot. He has now had three runs back from a 11 week break so he should be spot on fitness wise for today. Emperor’s Way was unlucky not to win last start when in a buffering dual at the home turn so he must be respected here especially having drawn gate one but this is a tougher race. Nothing Box looks to get the perfect run and with two runs under his belt this preparation he should be ready to fire.

 

 

QUADDIE:

 

1st leg:    1 – 3 – 5 – 6

2nd leg:   8

3rd leg:    5 – 6

4th leg:   6

 

$8 = 100%

 

QUADDIE:

 

1st leg:    1 – 3 – 5 – 6

2nd leg:   2 – 3 – 5 – 8 – 9

3rd leg:    5 – 6 – 11

4th leg:   1 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 12

 

$90 = 25%