Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN previews Saturday’s Randwick , with horse racing tips and analysis for all 10 races on the card. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Soft 6
Rail Position: Out 6m entire
You just have to like the way OPTIMO has been hitting the line of late. Is 4th up here and is coming off a strong 2nd at the provincials. Drawn awkwardly so gets back, but looks a player as he’s genuine.
The 2kg weight allowance and the recent form make BOOTSCOOTER the one to beat. Just gets out, gets up on speed and keeps battling away at this level. Super fit now.
The lightly raced LISZTOMANIA is 3rd up and has a lot of talent. Bound to be making a strong challenge down the running.
Tip: BOOTSCOOTER
Randwick R2 – BM72 Hcp 1600m
Two runs this time up have been average for CAESARS PALACE but at his best he is very capable of winning this. Should be fitter now and is on home track. Place show.
The 1.5kg weight allowance for Tyler Schiller helps the hopes of DEFICIT a lot here. He is 3rd up and is hitting his straps now. Terrific run for 2nd this grade last start.
This Gai and Adrian galloper JOURNALISM looks ready. He is fast, is 3rd up, is in great form and this is his home track. Can lead all the way.
Tip: JOURNALISM
Randwick R3 – BM72 (3YO +) 1100m
MONTE DITTO has slowly run himself back into peak fitness and presumably form too. Is 4th up, has been right there at past few runs and the drying track is a major help today.
PRINCE INVINCIBLE looks nicely placed here. Up on speed both starts this time back, at this level, and kept fighting to the wire, beaten just on 2 lengths last start. Gets weight allowance this time and should take running down.
DON LUIGI is in form, is very fit and looms large. Likes it damp too. Tim Clark to ride. Bound to raise a strong gallop late.
Tip: DON LUIGI
CRUEL SUMMER is racing lights out this campaign. Scored over 1250m at the midweeks when resuming, then on a Heavy 10, roared away with a BM 64 before last start, beaten a nose by the unbeaten Essone. Has to be considered.
HUESCA is smart and getting better with racing. Won a weaker race in grand style last start and is 3rd up now. Is also on home track.
PO KARE KARE looks a stakes horse in the making. Won brilliantly last start and should do same again here.
Tip: PO KARE KARE
It’s such a joy as a punter to back a horse that you know will race honestly and try her heart out. NIFFLER fits that bill here. Gets a welcome 2kg allowance and her determination is wonderful.
Similarly, COMME BELLA FILLE is tough too. She is unbeaten in two starts this time up and has hit the line like a star both times. Big show for the hat trick.
NOTHINGSWEETABOUTME probably leads and being 3rd up will take a bit of catching. Is on home track and can carve out strong sectionals if left alone. Big danger.
Tip: 1. NIFFLER
Randwick R6 – Stayer’s Cup (3YO+) 2600m
FEEL THE RUSH has taken quite a few runs to find formant last start when 4th in this grade making solid ground late, says he is finally there. Can go on with it now.
The lighter weighted horses have big hopes too. A pair of them who look well in are SHAMELESS MISS, a strong midweek winner in weaker grade but who can stay and FUNAMBULIST who gets in here winning two of past three, yes in weaker grade, latest at the provincials this trip. Carried 58kg that day and gets in here with 49kg. Should run boldly. Watch market.
Tip: 1. SHAMELESS MISS
Randwick R7 – Bm88 (3YO+) Hcp 1800m
What a terrific race. The 2kg claim for Tyler Schiller will help BETHENCOURT who is flying this preparation. He just loves this grade and is drawn to receive a great energy saving run. Must be respected.
NIGHT OF POWER has been thereabouts just behind the placegetters at his past few this class. Will love this trip and track and has also drawn to receive a great run. Big danger.
FRANCESCO GUARDI is talented and can stay. Showed up in a slightly weaker race last start when 2nd up claiming the chocolates. Should be fully wound up now and can knock this over.
Tip: 1. BETHENCOURT
Randwick R8 – Listed $150k Civic Stakes (3YO+) Hcp 1400m
Nice race. Can’t wait to see this American mare TAMAHERE go round. Big weight here and on debut in Australia but she is quality and is a genuine Gr 2 galloper. Trialled very nicely over 800m recently. Tough ask first up and draw is horrid but keep her safe.
LOOKS LIKE ELVIS came from the clouds to score first up at Flemington last start. That run was best while fresh and he may be back racing in best form. If so, can win this.
GROVE FERRY is yet to win in Australia but may just do so here. Is a smart English horse who did run 5th in the Gr Villiers last prep. Word is he is flying this time up. Resumes here.
Tip: 1. LOOKS LIKE ELVIS
Randwick R9 – BM78 (3YO+) Hcp 1100m
This looks so open, probably 4 million chances. CONSCRIPT is smart when right. Resumes here following a campaign where he won three in row. Certainly is up to this grade. Gate is a little concern but if he gets cover he can be right in this finish.
IRISH ANGEL is going to take holding out. She is 3rd up, has finished right with them past two and has drawn perfectly. Big danger today.
MISS DIOR resumes here and is very good while fresh. Big show.
Tip: 1. IRISH ANGEL
Randwick R10 – BM78 (3YO +) 1400m
Near impossible to work out. So, so many chances, so I’ll go on form.
JO JO WAS A MAN is very handy at this level. Getting up a bit in the weights but his confidence from two wins this campaign, including latest race at this level, sayshe is a major threat. Drawn to get the best run and is helped by a 2kg Reece Jones allowance.
It will be interesting to see if the brilliant win this grade by SINBA when resuming last start was an anomaly or not. Mind you, he did win his first two last campaign also. Watch betting.
Expect FOR VALOR at his 2nd run this prep, to be competitive at big odds. should fly out of the gates and be on pace.
