RANDWICK
SATURDAY 4 AUGUST
TRACK: GOOD 4 RAIL: +4M
BEST BETS:
Race 5 No.7 GRESHAM
Race 8 No.10 ISLAND MISSILE
Race 1
6 – 9 – 5 – 1
DANAWI has been scratched at the gates and withdrawn from a couple of races but we should finally see him step out here to kick start his spring campaign. He debuted and was terrific behind subsequent group one winner The Autumn Sun back in April and returns here off the back of two smart trials. Onthetake had a chequered passage first up this time but I loved the way she found the line and she can improve here. Adana was scratched from Wednesday to be kept for this and he has also looked very good in recent barrier trials.
Race 2
2 – 4 – 1 – 10
CLIFF and Magic Choir come through the same race and they meet each other at the same weight difference and both were racing from a three week freshen up. Cliff gets James McDonald taking the reins and in a race with good speed excepted he should get his opportunity o charge at them late. Magic Choir should settle just in behind the speed and only needs to repeat his last run to be hard to hold out. Cisco bay, Fuji San, Isla Tristana and even the likely leader Prince Of Thebes can be amongst the spoils.
Race 3
6 – 1 – 3 – 4
Brent Stanley will saddle up Red Alto who is capable of running a cheeky race and Chris Waller will saddle up the rest of the field. Keen to back the favourite RAQEEQ and Sayed who returns from Melbourne and looks the value. Raqeeq is the horse in the field capable of going places and competing in better class races and the only downside here looks to be the lack of speed on paper. Sayed goes back up in distance to 2400m a journey he relishes and even though he will carry 62kg he will settle handy and if James McDonald can rate him he will run well. Exoteric is racing well in Queensland and just needs to bring that down here to run well.
Race 4
14 – 11 – 4 – 5
No disrespect to the runners here but gee it’s only a moderate event for the fillies and mares. I’ve ended up tipping the Waterhouse/Bott runner BELLE DU SUD who I think will take control of the race with a lack of speed outside her and I am sure being third up she will strip fitter and they may have trouble running her down. Nicci’s Gold should get a soft run and looks well placed but the distance is a query while Sepoy Acheva with no weight always runs honestly against this type of opposition. Sweet Victory will relish coming back 200m to a distance she has run well at and from a nice barrier she can be amongst it.
Race 5
7 – 2 – 4 – 11
After resting the lead away from Coonawarra GRESHAM then allowed a roughie up the fence then I think may his task tougher as he had to do the chasing leaving him vulnerable late which is how it turned out. The speed here is Gresham and Coonawarra who may lead this week but either way I think Gresham will have a better kick and be hard to get past in the run home. Dagny will get back and will be coming hard and fats late while Impavido will be a major player with the light weight. The query runner is the Godolphin prepared Avilius set for his first run in Australia off the back of two trials.
Race 6
1 – 4 – 3 – 5
Thinking the toppy REDOUBLE is the class runner and represents good value here even with a few things against him. He is dropping back to 1200m following his last couple being over 1300m and 1400m. I wish it was another week to freshen him up but he is a handy horse and if the breaks fall his way I think he can give this a big shake. Smartedge was good winning at Canterbury last week and looks the one to get through here if he can back that up. Reach For Heaven did enough first up to suggest he will come here ready to race and from barrier one he must be considered a major player. Bella Vella was solid last start and gets the blinkers on so don’t count her out.
Race 7
2 – 4 – 1 – 13
All eyes will be on the group 2 Missile Stakes as a few slots still remain in the $13 million Everest and a few horses here will be out to show their worth. KEMENTARI is the boom horse and looks the one to beat as he starts his 4yo season off the back of two very smart barrier trials. He has shown his class and this looks a nice starting point for the spring but don’t dare rule out Pierata as he is no slouch and can easily win. He has trialled twice and done a superb job both times and don’t forget he gave Kementari some cheek when they met during the autumn. Music Magnate is a quality animal and looks the next leading chance and like the others has looked the goods at the trials.
Race 8
10 – 9 – 8 – 19
You have to be patient but if we are I think we can go bang with ISLAND MISSILE who looks the best bet of the day. He finally got back onto a good surface and even with 60kg on a track where horses were struggling to make up ground he got the job done impressively at Warwick farm a few weeks back. From a soft gate here he will nestle in behind the speed and I think round them up when James McDonald gives him the signal to let rip. Sparky Lad finally put him best foot forward and got the money last start and having drawn gate two here he looms as the main threat to our best bet. The drop back to 1400m shouldn’t worry him or the three weeks between runs.
Race 9
6 – 5 – 9 – 7
Not the easiest race to finish the day with a flying 1000m with what looks a solid tempo. I have gone with SOOTHING as she looks to map well from a good barrier and should get a lovely run and be able to come with one burst of speed in the home straight. Pendeloque is first up off two trials and is two from two fresh so she is sure to run well while Rebel Miss is always around the mark in these types of races. Pedway, Aimalac Millie and the possible leader Wanna Get A What are all capable of being in the mix.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10
2nd leg: 2, 4
3rd leg: 10
4th leg: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14
Cost $72 = 100%