RANDWICK

 

TUESDAY 26 DECEMBER

TRACK:                        GOOD 4  (5.11)                       RAIL:    +3M

 

 

BEST BET:        Race 7             No.4     MONTREAL

NEXT BET:       Race 8             No.11   THE HIPSTER

 

 

Race 1

8 – 7 – 6 – 3

Mark Newnham’s filly VAINITY looked far more comfortable rolling along at her latest trial at Randwick when cruising to the line to win good fashion. I can’t remember a horse jumping as quickly as she did and if she does that today hopefully that is the last they see of her. Lilith has won both her trials on the Central Coast and done so in good fashion. She looks to get a nice trail behind Vainity. Into The Abyss trialled the same day as Vainity and actually ran one tenth quicker when finding the line. From the soft draw she should be strong late.

 

 

Race 2

1 – 2 – 6 – 3

It’s an important day for CALCULATED as I have a feeling if he doesn’t get the job done he may be two stone lighter. I have no doubt he is a very good horse and possibly a group horse but it’s his conviction that is in question. Off his first up run he should win here even with an awkward gate and top weight. Intuition has won both runs this time around albeit in weaker grade than today but the way he has attacked the line shows he’s back in good order. From a soft draw he looks the big threat to Calculated. Star Galaxy has been consistent and from gate one here may well lead and if left alone she will give plenty of cheek.

 

 

Race 3

8 – 7 – 1 – 6

NONPAREIL resumes here having performed well previously fresh and has looked the part in two recent barrier trials the latest a victory. With good speed expected here Nonpareil should have a few bunnies to chase and with no weight she should be able to dash quickly. Don’t Tease Me will likely run along up front and with 52kg on his back he will run the flying 1000m out strongly and be hard to run down. Adjective trialled behind Nonpareil and did so in good fashion while Princefamous will appreciate the drop in grade and is sure to be fitter following his first up run.

 

 

Race 4

5 – 4 – 2 – 3

Not a race I am keen to play in as I’ve chopped and changed on several occasions. CORDERO is top pick but I’m not convinced he’ll run out a strong mile and a half but if he does he will take a power of beating. Coonawarra is likely to make it a strong staying race from the front and although this is a big step up from his last start win at Hawkesbury he will give them something to chase. Richard Of Yorke has been moderate at his two run back from with those under his belt don’t be surprised with sharp improvement. If he was to find his best he’d gap this lot. Last Wish, Bella Galeano and Moqueen are all capable of figuring.

 

 

Race 5

4 – 5 – 1 – 6

QUEEN MISTY and Baysa look the clear top two picks and with both drawn perfectly I can’t see much in it. I’ve sided with Queen Misty as I think she can dash quicker and she should get last look at them here albeit she has yet to win past 1000m which concerns a little. Baysa is rock hard fit and backs up from last Wednesday when narrowly beaten by her stablemate. She drops three kilos here and really doesn’t go that much up in grade. Pioneering hasn’t fired at either run this preparation but gee if she found any type of form she’d give this a big shake. Ladder looks the leader and is sure to give cheek from the top having taken plenty of benefit from her first up run in ten months. To get over that run she has barrier trialled and did that in good fashion.

 

 

Race 6

8 – 2 – 4 – 9 

A lot of the fancied runners are coming through the Villiers but I’ve gone for a different form line for my pick with BLACK ON GOLD with Corey Brown combining with Chris Waller. Put a line through his last start run as the rain came and the track was soft and he just doesn’t fire on anything other than dry. He will carry 53kg today and with a good surface he can return to his better form of previous and be hard to beat. Red Excitement has been around the mark and is the defending champ so he deserves respect. Might Lucky was very good in the Villiers and although better suited at 1400-1600m he has won at the 2000m journey.

 

 

Race 7

4 – 6 – 2 – 14

MONTREAL looks a smart horse ready to show his best and take the next step to better racing in the coming months. Following over a year off the scene he returned with a strong win at Wyong when bouncing to the front and running his rivals into the ground. He looks to control things from the front again today and even with the step up to 1200m I doubt that will hold any fears. Radcliffe looks the main threat with him turning up here following a solid first up effort at Hawkesbury when coming from well back. Akasaki was strong first up at Warwick Farm on an unsuitable heavy track so he could improve sharply here without surprising.

 

 

Race 8

11 – 9 – 14 – 8

Unfortunately the favourite Smartedge was scratched this morning meaning the better odds THE HIPSTER is gone but I think he will be getting the cash to finish a good day at Randwick. Following two runs back after a year off the scene he looks ready to fire here and the step up to 1400m looks perfect. There isn’t a lot of speed on paper so he should settle handy and prove hard to beat. Gitan is in super form and only needs to run up to his latest runs and he will be right around the mark. Aquatic might have only run fourth of nine at Canterbury last start but the run was full of merit and if the breaks fall his way he can dash quickly and be in the mix. Dawn Raid and Domed are players with the right run.

 

 

QUADDIE:

1^st leg:             4 – 5

2^nd leg:             2 – 4 – 8 – 9

3^rd leg:             4

4^th leg:             11

 

Costs $8 = 100%

 

 

QUADDIE:

1^st leg:             4 – 5

2^nd leg:             2 – 4 – 8 – 9

3^rd leg:             2 – 4 – 6

4^th leg:             8 – 9 – 11 – 14 – 16

 

Costs $60 = 50%