RANDWICK

SATURDAY 7 APRIL

 

TRACK:       GOOD 4   (5.09)                 RAIL:    TRUE

 

 

 

BEST BETS:

 

Race 3             No.8     DEMERARA

Race 4             No.5     VICTOREM

 

Race 10           No.4    HARMATTAN

 

Race 1

8 – 1 – 4 – 5

It’s hard not to tip ENBIHAAR who won in Adelaide on debut before beating Golden Slipper runner up Oohood before a gallant second in the Blue Diamond behind Written By. She trialled nicely at Randwick three weeks ago to stay up to the mark but she will need a touch of luck early from the wide barrier. Legend Of Condor has brilliant speed but his trainer believes he is far more effective with a sit but that won’t be easy as he’s drawn the second outside gate. Lean Mean Machine won nicely on debut and although this is a step up don’t underestimate as his trainer Chris Waller has a big opinion of the colt.

 

 

Race 2

2 – 1 – 4 – 6  

Yes VILLERMONT is dropping back from the group one Rosehill Guineas but more importantly he is coming back to the mile which I think will suit him better as he just struggled to see the 2000m out. From an ideal draw he should be able to stalk the leaders and enjoy a nice economical run. Holy Snow was very good when second last start in the Phar Lap stakes splitting the Vinery group one quinella of Unforgotten and Hiyaam and only needs to repeat that to be in the spoils. Beau Geste comes back to his own age after running well last Saturday when he stayed in the slow section of the home straight yet kept finding the line and can easily play a role here.

 

 

Race 3

8 – 6 – 1 – 2

DEMERARA is a quality filly having won five of her seven starts including two from two this preparation. She has brilliant speed but also the ability to travel in behind before letting go with a turn of speed. There is good speed here and I see her stalking them and with only the 54kg on her back going bang at the furlong. Her biggest threat will likely come from Mick Price’s filly She’s So High who was ultra impressive first up winning at Flemington when letting down like a quality filly. Catchy was very good last start in the group one William Reid Stakes and has to be a major player here but she will need a little bit of luck from the poor gate.

 

 

Race 4

5 – 1 – 3 – 12

VICTOREM has won four of five career starts and I think will be hard to beat here in the Country Championships Final even though he is yet to prove he can run 1400m. He has raced three times at the 1000m and twice at 1200m but I’ve always believed he would relish the seven furlongs. From a good gate he should be just around midfield and if he gets the trip look out. The favourite Suncraze is hard to knock as he is flying and has already proven he enjoys Randwick having won twice and run second twice at his four runs here. Don’t Give A Damn only secured his spot last Sunday but is a major player on his best form and that run is sure to have helped his fitness levels as he was five weeks between runs.

 

 

Race 5

8 – 11 – 2 – 1

ALWARD has been racing terrific this preparation without luck. I can make a case he should have won all three runs this time in. I think he showed last start he can run the trip if allowed to relax early so it’s just a matter of much start he will be giving away as they straight for home. Peribsen is still working out Australian racing but one thing is for sure the further they go the better he will like it. He should be somewhere around the pace and is sure to give a kick. Ventura Storm drops back in grade having raced in the group one’s at his past three runs and from an ideal barrier he must be considered a player.

 

 

Race 6

14 – 13 – 2 – 11 

I’m sticking with the Golden Slipper form with Oohood who ran second in the slipper and SEABROOK who finished two lengths further back in fifth. I’ve ended tipping Seabrook who is contrast to the slipper has drawn perfectly here with barrier one which I think means she can settle just in behind the leaders and I’m sure will look the winner at some stage. Oohood is yet to win but she has finished in the placings at all her five starts including a placing in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper. She was powerful through the line in the slipper suggesting she would relish the extra journey and be hard to hold out here.

 

 

Race 7

1 – 8 – 2 – 4

ACE HIGH is one happy horse with the sun being out all week in Sydney as he reacts at his best on good surfaces. All his four runs this preparation have been outstanding and after drawing a perfect barrier the VRC Derby winner of the spring is the one to beat here. Furore showed he is up to this grade with a most unlucky run in the Rosehill Guineas with many believing he should have won if he had clear running in the home straight. The step up to a mile and a half is something I’m sure he will appreciate. Vin De Dance would have been better suited if the rain had come but he still must be kept safe as he runs a strong 2400m and won’t be laying down at any stage. Mongolianconqueror had no luck at Rosehill from his gate so if you can forgive him for that and go on his second in the NZ Derby behind Vin De Dance he can pop up here.

 

 

Race 8

3 – 1 – 8 – 9

I don’t think there is much between three of them being the sprinting benchmark Redzel, his heir apparent In Her Time and the one I’ve finished with as my top selection as he is better value and that is BRAVE SMASH. Not much more than you can say about Redzel other than he will camp close to the speed and give 100% in the run to the line having won six of nine at Randwick and four from from six at the 1200m. In Her Time grabbed her valuable group one last start with a dominant win in The Galaxy and from a perfect gate here she will just stalk the leaders and look to use her turn of speed. Brave Smash signalled his sprinting ability last year in the Everest when third and I think with that preparation under his belt he is back a better sprinter. Redkirk Warrior is almost unbeatable down the Flemington straight yet Brave Smash ran him to a pimple last start in the Newmarket. If Redzel and In Her Time are looking at each other and go a fraction early trying to outfox each other I think Brave Smash can run over them late. Trapeze Artist and English are the others for the exotics.

 

 

Race 9

9 – 16 – 1 – 3

When Godolphin managing director Vin Cox drew barrier two for KEMENTARI is made my mind up that he was clearly the one to beat. He has come back this preparation a lot stronger horse but more importantly a more rounded racehorse as he now does things right and can utilise his brilliant turn of speed. If he can stalk the speed and let down he will take a power of beating. The other 3yo D’Argento is a quality horse and even though he has drawn very wide with only 50kg on his back as Corey Brown will ride him a kilo overweight he must be respected. The one thing he will be is strong at the end of a mile having won the Rosehill Guineas at his previous start over 2000m. Happy Clapper is flying again this campaign having won the group one Canterbury Stakes first up before a gallant second to Winx. He loves Randwick and the mile and from barrier one he is sure to be amongst the spoils. Darren Weirs pair Humidor and Tosen Stardom are capable of blowing the field away at their best so keep safe. The value runners for me all come from the Chris Waller stable in Endless Drama, Tom Melbourne and Comin’ Through.

 

 

Race 10

4 – 1 – 3 – 13

Nothing between the top two in the market but I’m going with the new girl on the block HARMATTAN who has only raced three times winning two and finishing a very good second in the group 3 Alexandra Stakes over the mile. She looks as though she will relish the 2000m journey and with a seven kilo pull off the top one I am banking she can finish the day on a good note. Luvaluva was able to win the group 2 Wakeful Stakes and run a gallant fourth in the Oaks during the spring and she showed she is back in good order winning the group 3 Kembla Grange Classic last start. She has a big weight but she has the score on the board to deserve it. Wedgie comes through the Kembla Grange Classic and is still on an upward spiral so she is sure to play a role here. Jungle Fish from Mick Kent’s stable and Chilly Cha Cha a winner of four from seven look the value runners to my eye.

 

 

 

QUADDIE:

 

1^st leg:             1, 8

2^nd leg:             1, 3, 8

3^rd leg:             1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16

4^th leg:             1, 3, 4

 

Cost $54 = 50%