RANDWICK
RANDWICK
SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY
TRACK: GOOD 4 (5.17) RAIL: TRUE
BEST BETS:
Race 8 No.3 ALIZEE
NEXT BEST:
Race 5 No.9 PROMETHEUS
Race 1
1 – 3 – 6 – 4
MATE STORY is the one to beat as he comes here off a strong winning effort when running down the highly regarded Acquittal last start. The extra 300m shouldn’t pose any problems and from a good gate he will settle handy to the front. So It Is comes through the same race where she found the line from the back and meets Mate Story 1 ½ kilos better at the weights. Fuji San is another coming through the same race and from a soft draw a lighter weight an improved run is on the cards.
Race 2
2 – 1 – 4 – 5
LEGEND OF CONDOR did a super job on debut when winning at Randwick back in October and judging him off a recent barrier trial it’s fair to say he looks back in good order. Tchaikovsky is on debut but looks a smart type from the trials and having drawn a soft gate he will stalk the leaders and if he can dash which it looks as though he will he is a player. Irish Bet is one from one albeit a restricted race but he looked the part and his barrier trial a fortnight ago showed he in good order. Santos is back from his second campaign and looks a more relaxed youngster who is ready to fulfil his potential so keep safe.
Race 3
1 – 4 – 6 – 2
Tricky race but I’ve settled on EMPEROR’S WAY who is looking for three on the trot and from barrier one he may well just get it. Last start he got a mile back and did a good job to keep coming and prevail on the line but from barrier one he will be a lot handier. Zourkhan is going terrific without a lot of luck yet getting beat around a length but now that he is fourth up after his spell look out for him to produce his best run yet. Vaucluse Bay can be hard to catch but a soft barrier will have him amongst the spoils. Sizzling Bullet and More Energy can figure with luck here.
Race 4
3 – 2 – 1 – 6
DOTHRAKI looks the value runner here to me off his best form. He turns up fresh up off a five week break since running at the Gold Coast and he can react off a little break. Only last June at Doomben he ran second beaten a half length by Deploy who I realise has gone to another level since when giving him 6kg so today he gets a turnaround of 8kg to here. Deploy is first up and looked well in his recent barrier trial and must be respected after racing so well last preparation knocking over a couple of track records. Clearly Innocent is first up and although he has only won one from five fresh last preparation he was only beaten a length by In Her Time and English.
Race 5
9 – 8 – 2 – 1
The Snowden stable has the favourite The Pinnacle and she is sure to take some beating judging by her first up effort when a closing second behind O’Rachael but I’m siding with the stablemate PROMETHEUS who I thought was terrific last start behind Show A Star. He has drawn gate one and as long as jumps cleanly he will settle just behind the speed and be hard to hold out. The speed looks mad but after scratching it looks as though KING DARCI will take control and going on his current solid form he is sure to take a lot of running down. Malaise is back from Melbourne and must be kept safe.
Race 6
6 – 3 – 2 – 9
There is no WINX as was expected but what a competitive race we have with probably fair to say five winning chances out of the eight starters. The current favourite is Addictive Nature the highly touted 3yo but he is yet to prove himself and its fair to say was disappointing first up when beaten on his merits by Trapeze Artist. Prized Icon and Endless Drama were both outstanding when second and third in the Carrington Stakes last start. Both are big players here while Global Glamour has gone very average at both runs this time in but just maybe she needed those runs and looks to lead here and may just give a kick. My top pick though is COMIN’ THROUGH who is first with blinkers but more importantly as a gelding and that just take this horse to another level. He is quality right through so I am sticking solid today.
Race 7
8 – 5 – 2 – 4
Looks a tough race for punters here but with a soft barrier and no weight on her back I’ve selected MY COUNTRY who has started since a cracking third on the Gold Coast behind Invincibella and Eckstein who she clashes with this afternoon. Raiment is first up and although her barrier trials haven’t set the world on fire she is a winner of two from four first up. Eckstein is a handy mare and if the speed is genuine she will come hard and fast late. Miss Gunpowder is up from Victoria and just off the simple fact she has won three from six first up with another minor placings she must be kept safe.
Race 8
3 – 2 – 13 – 6
Everyone went to Rosehill on February fifth to watch Winx barrier trial but many left with the name ALIZEE on their lips as she looked calm and full of herself trialling in fine fashion. She is a quality filly already having won a group one and from a soft barrier she should get a nice economical run and be ready to explode in the run home. The big danger is the Kiwi filly Melody Belle a winner of five from ten including a last start impressive display in the group 3 Mongolian Khan stakes. She will settle in front of Alizee and give her something to chase down.
Race 9
13 – 17 – 2 – 8
It’s a big step up in grade for STAR OF MONSOON but I think he can take it especially from a nice gate where I think he gets the opportunity to stalk the leader. Since being gelded he has won two and been most unlucky not to be undefeated when narrowly beaten behind Ghostly when he couldn’t get out. I have always had a soft spot for Missile Coda and after a good effort first up behind Once More A Lady when she settled fourth and had to chase she looks to get her favourite role of leading today and is sure to take plenty of running down. Suncraze is a quality country galloper who may just live up to his quality this time around judging by his good barrier trial win at Muswellbrook a fortnight ago. Osborne Bulls is first up and just going off his record of four wins from five starts suggest he is a classy animal. His recent trial was solid so expect him to have plenty of support.
QUADDIE:
1st leg: 2, 3, 6
2nd leg: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
3rd leg: 3
4th leg: 2, 8, 13, 17
Cost $60 = 100%