RANDWICK
RANDWICK
MONDAY 1 JANUARY
TRACK: GOOD 4 (5.09) RAIL: +9M
BEST BET:
Race 2 No.4 BASTIA
VALUE BETS:
Race 1 No.7 VELOCITA
Race 3 No.1 BALEARIC
Race 1
7 – 6 – 2 – 1
I’m sticking solid with VELOCITA whose brilliance was taken away from her when making a long run last start when attempting to add some pressure into the race. Different style of race today and if Glyn can hold her up and allow her to use her dash I think she can come very quickly late and at around the $9 mark she looks terrific odds. The stablemate Savacool looks to get the soft run from barrier two and is sure to be in the spoils. Bull Market has the class and must be respected but he jumps 2.5kg and has to run 1800m while Kurnel Jaxon has form around the favourite Savacool and is a player.
Race 2
4 – 1 – 6 – 3
It looks an ideal race for BASTIA who was scratched from last weekend to be kept for this race. On paper there is no speed so Bastia has the ability of taking the race by the scruff of the neck and being very hard to beat. He has had two runs back therefore his fitness levels are now at their peak and he should take a power of beating. Nothing Box is the obvious danger who was solid first up in an unsuitable race at Wyong. The lack of speed should enable him to settle handy and apply pressure when so desired. Speed hero and High Mist are leading contenders for the minor placings.
Race 3
1 – 12 – 10 – 5
BALEARIC and Stella Victoria both come through the same race at Canterbury behind Wooshka and obviously the majority believe think the latter’s was the better run as she is favourite here today. I don’t think there was much between their runs but Balearic meets her 3kg better and was dropping back in distance last start and couldn’t dash but today but up I n trip will help him as will the better barrier. As I said not much between their runs so I’ll stick with the better odds although I concede it’s the right race and Stella Victoria is the biggest threat. Outside of those two I have nothing between Mascot, Snitzel Day, Press Review and Ombudsman.
Race 4
3 – 8 – 6 – 10
Not a race that I am keen to playing in but as usual I probably will.
TIME OUT OF MIND was very good at Scone first up when charging to the line but failing to reel in the leader over the flying 1100m. The extra 100m here will aid his chances with my major concern being the lack of tempo following the withdrawal of Malaigo this morning. Lieutenant Dan is a handy sprinter who will settle handy to the speed and following three runs this campaign is sure to be cherry ripe. Pirapala is up from Melbourne where she was very good in winning last start at Moonee Valley and from an ideal gate she should get her chance. Witches is debuting for the Brad Widdup stable having previously been owned by Godolphin and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Race 5
8 – 9 – 1 – 2
MADDISON AVENUE did a good job last start at Wyong when racing on-pace and fighting off all challengers except The Iron Maiden. Today she gets a perfect gate and should enjoy a soft run near the front. Regine was most disappointing last start at Newcastle but get the blinkers today and from gate one must be respected on her previous solid win at Gosford. Jaunty did us a favour last start in winning and even with the big weight today must be given thought but she will need a few things to fall her way from the tricky gate. Fournette was good winning first up then never got in the race second up making it that she had failed both preparations second up but third up she stands at one win from one go.
Race 6
4 – 2 – 3 – 1
Broadside ran second, Vassal won the race and PRINCE CHERI finished third in the Christmas Cup last start and you can make cases for all three of them again this afternoon. I am siding with the placegetters just in front of the winner although I’m sure others will have read the race differently. Prince Cheri was coming off a four week break and was jumping from 1900m to 2400m so I am expecting him to be ready to fire today and he also meets the others better at the weights. Broadside looks to take total control here and will be hard to run down. Adam Hyeronimus is very good in front and will be able to quicken and slacken the speed as he likes and if allowed to do that is sure to be hard to toss. Vassal is flying and is a major player but does meet Prince Cheri 2.5kg worse and Broadside 2kg worse at the weights.
Race 7
10 – 8 – 4 – 1
It looks a tough race but I am jumping aboard the GOLDFINCH train and hoping that she has enough speed so that the others will sit off her and allow her to run along which I imagine will be a fast enough tempo anyway. She trialled nicely in preparation and with a light weight I think she can give plenty of cheek. Florid was very moderate first up albeit behind subsequent Saturday winner Sasso Corbaro but in fairness he hasn’t produced his best when fresh. Second up on the other hand he is two from two and from barrier one he will get an ideal run. Prince Mayted will sit off the speed and look to come hard late while both Niccobelle and Pedway are both players but will need a little luck early from their gates.
Race 8
13 – 3 – 11 – 9
Looks a tricky race and I’ve gone looking for some value and I think that sits with OUR BARTY who looked most disappointing last start when heavily backed at Hawkesbury. I don’t think he enjoyed being inside horses nor in a stop start event and although this is a tougher assignment he drops 4.5kg and with a change in rider I think he can run a cheeky race at big odds. I am not convinced Smartedge deserves the raps on him just yet but he does look to have found a nice moderate city race and he is progressive so he must be respected. Travancore ran behind Smartedge last start but meets him 4kg better at the weights giving him a real chance of turning the tables. The chances don’t finish there with Fleeting Stryke, Magicaz and Echo Jet.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 1 – 2 – 7 – 8 – 9
2nd leg: 2 – 4
3rd leg: 1 – 2 – 4 – 5 – 8 – 10
4th leg: 3 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 11 – 13
Cost $90 = 25%