RANDWICK
RANDWICKSATURDAY 20 JANUARY
TRACK: GOOD 4 (5.11) RAIL: +8M
BEST BETS:
Race 2 No.5 PARET
Race 7 No.5 FLOW
Race 1
3 – 8 – 4 – 6
I was pretty impressed with the barrier trial of PATRON BLACK in that he had to come around heels at the furlong then when asked he quicken nicely. If a race with several chances I reckon he is terrific value at double figure odds. Ruling Symbol has trialled very well back up at home at Newcastle and from a good gate and blinkers you can expect a good run here. Estijabb although drawn awkwardly she looks to have brilliant early speed and I think she will cross them and will be hard to run down. Ligulate has race experience and is sure to be finishing hard at the end of the 1000m.
Race 2
5 – 3 – 1 – 4
The favourite is D’Argento and with two wins from two starts it’s hard to knock him especially off a couple of nice trials leading back in here. I am going to throw the chips all in aboard PARET who created a big impression when winning on debut at Canterbury. He had another two runs that didn’t pan out and now he runs from a spell. The lack of tempo in numbers is a little worry but I’m banking on him being smart. Intuition looks to get the gun run and is shooting for four in a row so he must be respected.
Race 3
1 – 10 – 4 – 12
Danny Williams has the top two fancies here and it looks as though the support is divided as to who will get the chocolates. I’ve settled on KOPI LUWAK who returned after 768 days on the sidelines with an outstanding win at Moruya. This race obviously has more depth than that one but wow his win was very good and only bad luck I think will stop him here. Acquittal made up a stack of ground here last start when third over 1100m so the step up to 1400m I think will suit especially if he can settle a little closer. Bel Diablo from gate one gets the drop on the leaders and may well look the winner at some stage. Vivid Pink from the Matthew Dunn stable has a knockout chance but with no weight and rock hard fit she could easily bob up.
Race 4
4 – 5 – 2 – 7
The two leading contenders Medaille and CELLARMAN come through the same lead up race behind Positive Problems when Medaille finished well in front of Cellarman but it was a race with speed on while today there is no speed on paper. Blake Shinn missed the boat aboard Cellarman last start but I expect Bowman to have him nice and close and I think he’s better than them. Medaille is the obvious danger and may well control this race here. New Universe is starting to become costly but he continues to look amazing and just needs to produce his best to figure. Valentino Rossa on his best could easily bob up somewhere in this small field.
Race 5
3 – 6 – 2 – 1
HIDDEN PEARL is a winner of four from six fresh and turns up here off an eight month break with one impressive trial at Tamworth. First up last preparation she was beaten by Prompt Response in the Bat Out Of Hell giving away 2.5kg and before that she beat group one winner Viddora in the Falvelon. If she crosses she’ll take plenty of running down. Memes went to another level last preparation winning five races and judging by her trials she has come back in terrific order. She trialled without the blinkers and they go back on for race day so expect them to sharpen her right up. Boss Lane is second up and drops back from 1200m back to 1000m but this is a pattern and he is a winner of four from nine second up.
Race 6
7 – 5 – 1 – 6
When VAUCLUSE BAY went back last Saturday I thought that was the end of the section but he gets the quick back up and in a race without much speed I am expecting him to settle a lot closer and if that does happen he will be in the finish somewhere. Xebec is low flying of late with two terrific runs of late but he just needs clear room in the final 300m and he will be charging hard late. Zourkhan is drawn poorly but if he gets the luck early he looks well placed to play a role. Carzoff is a month between runs and according to stable is working the best he has so you have to include him in everything.
Race 7
5 – 4 – 2 – 10
Wow hasn’t this race been torn apart by scratching with only six runners to face the starter. You don’t have to be Albert Einstein to work out Level Eight and FLOW are the two leading contenders. I’ve elected to stick with Flow who turns up here off a three week break after being beaten by Brave Song over 1200m which was after dropping back from the 1400m. He steps back up to the seven furlongs and looks to get control here and I think will be very hard to run down. Level Eight is the obvious threat following three very good runs this preparation and a narrow defeat here a fortnight ago. If something else wins well I am well and truly knocked out of the quaddie.
Race 8
5 – 2 – 6 – 12
If you back the winner of the final two races you will get well rewarded as they are very open events. I am sticking with FORTENSKY was very good winning here over the same distance two weeks ago showing a very good turn of speed when required. Guard Of Honour was disappointing last start but steps up in trip which should suit and with two runs back now he should be ready to fire. Burradoo is going terrific and will be around the mark again while Difficult To Get looks the value for me especially after drawing a perfect barrier and with a light weight.
Race 9
5 – 7 – 8 – 6
Tricky race to finish the day but I’ve finally settled on SIREN’S FURY who was strong in winning here two weeks ago albeit over the suitable 1400m. She has yet to win past the seven furlongs so the mile is a little worry but if she relaxes she will be hard to hold out. Queen Misty ran second to Siren’s Fury last start and after drawing a perfect gate here with the addition of blinkers she must be considered a major player. Waller’s trio Pioneering, Baysa and Jaunty are all players. Baysa needs luck from the gate, Jaunty is in terrific form and only needs to maintain it while Pioneering gets the right run and does have the class.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9
2nd leg: 4, 5
3rd leg: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12
4th leg: 5, 6, 7, 8
Cost $70 = 25%