Racing
Before The First - Tracks, Facts & Tips for your punting day
Sheza Alibi remains a firm favourite for her bid to become the first three-year-old filly this century to win the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick today.
Ladbrokes also reports consistent support for Sheza Alibi with bets of $1500 and $1000 at $2.05, then $5000, $4900, $2000 and $1000 at $2.
But early morning showers in Sydney have the Randwick track surface rated a soft 7 and with cool, cloudy conditions forecast for the rest of the day, it seems certain to stay in the soft range.
These track conditions suit topweight Gringotts who is into $11 while second favourite Autumn Boy has eased slightly to $6.50.
Day One of The Championships boasts four Group 1 races with the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) has nine elite sprinters clashing and all have won at Group 1 level.
Godolphin's crack colt Tentyris is the $3.60 favorite for the TJ Smith while the "Blue Army" has the top two in betting for the $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) with Observer at $2.90 ahead of Green Spaces at $3.60.
The two-year-olds clash in the $1 million Inglis Sires (1400m) where Blue Diamond winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Streisand is the $3 favourite.
ROYAL RANDWICK
Weather: Cloudy day with possible showers and a forecast top temperature of 23c.
Track: Soft (7)
Rail: True
CAULFIELD
Weather: Mild, sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 21c.
Track: Good (4)
Rail: 4m out
EAGLE FARM
Weather: Warm, partly cloudy day with a slight chance of a shower or two and a forecast top temperature of 29c.
Track: Soft (5)
Rail: 6.5m out
OAKBANK
Weather: Warm, sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 22c.
Track: Good (4)
Rail: True
ROYAL RANDWICK
BEST BET: Inkaruna (r10 no1) has returned in very good form albeit losing twice narrowly in the Fireball Stakes to Beadman and then the Birthday Card Stakes behind Catch The Glory. A Group 3 winner of the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield last spring, Inkaruna is clearly the top-rated horse in the field and is not badly weighted 2.5kg over the limit. Bursting to win a race and this is her chance.
THE NEXT BEST: Sheza Alibi (r8 no15) is an outstanding filly as she demonstrated in the Randwick Guineas last start when she unleashed a tremendous burst of acceleration to sprint straight by Autumn Boy and win by a widening margin of more than three lengths. Autumn Boy then came out and won the Rosehill Guineas easily to frank the form. Sheza Alibi gets into the Doncaster Mile with only 49kg and is clearly the one to beat.
VALUE BET: Monopolistic (r4 no11) showed promise in his debut campaign over summer, winning two of his three starts, including a strong win against older horses at Canterbury. He resumed at Kensington and was disadvantaged by the track but still got home well for fifth. The Randwick mile course suits and he's a big improver. Good each way value around $9.
THE WHISPER: Blue Door (r1 no9) is making her debut in the Kindergarten Stakes but the well-bred filly (by Stay Inside out of Notting Hill) showed natural ability winning a Rosehill trial in soft conditions last week by nearly eight lengths. The inside mail is Blue Door is very good and she has been well-backed to make a winning debut.
BEST BET: Bluestone (r4 no5) hasn't won a race for 11 months but has been placed in eight of his last nine starts including his closing second over this course and distance last start. The grey gelding has been costly for punters but he's a strong stayer and finds himself in a winnable race today.
NEXT BEST: Thebelmontgangster (r3 no6) is a former Irish galloper who won at his Australian debut back in the spring, defeating Observer who has trained on to win the Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas this season. Thebelmontgangster then had excuses when he finished down the track at Caulfield. He resumes over 1400m, suited by the small field and has more upside than his rivals.
VALUE BET: King Zephyr (r9 no18) is second emergency and is in danger of missing a start but if he gains a run, he's the one to beat. King Zephyr had excuses first-up and will be better out to 1600m. With six wins and three placings from 11 starts, the Grahame Begg-trained sprinter has an enviable record and is ready to break through at stakes level in the Victoria Handicap.
THE WHISPER: Mukhtalif (r1 no4) is a well-bred son of Sea The Stars who had five starts in England, finished top three each time including successive wins at Newmarket over 2049m and York 2112m before being sent down under. Mukhtalif has joined the Ciaron Maher stable and has impressed in two recent trials. He's first-up at 1800m today but there is plenty of market confidence for him.
TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
ROYAL RANDWICK
R1, The Next Episode $3.60 - $2.30, Blue Door $6 - $5
R2, Profoundly $8 - $5, Transcend $15 - $9
R3, Star of India $26 - $18
R4, Autumn Break $15 - $8.50, Monopolistic $15 - $9, Olympian $51 - $15
R5, Chidiac $3.50 - $2.90, Vermicella $8 - $6
R6, Streisand $3.50 - $3.20, Campione D'Italia $6 - $4.20
R7, Joliestar $4.50 - $4, Briasa $8 - $6.50
R8, Sheza Alibi $2 - $2.20 - $2, Gringotts $18 - $12
R9, Green Spaces $3.50 - $3.40, Road to Paris $11 - $9.50
R10, Horseshoe Hill $15 - $8.50, Brave Xena $51 - $16
BIG BETS
ROYAL RANDWICK
R1, The Next Episode – $4000 at $3, Blue Door – $3000 at $7.50
R2, Feminino – $3000 at $9
R6, Campione D'Italia – $2000 at $5, Streisand – $4000 at $3.30
R7, Tentyris – $10,000 at $3.70
R8, Autumn Boy – $4000 at $7.50, Sheza Alibi – $10,500 at $2
LADBROKES BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
ROYAL RANDWICK
R1, The Next Episode $2.60-$2.40 with bets of $1000 at $2.60, $1200 and $1000 twice at $2.50, $1380 at $2.45, Blue Door $6.50-$5
R2, Soverato $500 at $4.15, $665 at $4, Queen Of Clubs $1500 at $22.50, Feminino $1500 at $10.50, Profoundly $6.50-$5.50 with a bet of $500 at $6.50, Transcend $13-$10 with a bet of $165 at $13
R3, Bluestone $16-$13 with a bet of $135 at $16
R4, Aerodrome $500 at $8.25, Monopolistic $15-$8.50 with a bet of $155 at $14
R5, Vermicella $500 at $6.50, Chidiac $800 at $3.50
R6, Campione D'Italia $900 at $4.20, Streisand $3.70-$3.30 with bets of $740 at $3.70, $2500 at $3.50, $835, $830, $800 and $500 at $3.40, $2000 at $3.30
R7, Briasa $8.50-$6 with bets of $265 at $8.50, $1000 at $8.25, Giga Kick $1000 at $1.70 to finish top 4, Joliestar $4.40-$4 with bets of $590 and $580 at $4.40
R8, Sheza Alibi $2.10-$2 after bets of $1500 and $1000 at $2.05, $5000, $4900, $2000, $1000 and $975 at $2, Sixties $650 at $15.50
R9, Observer $910 twice at $3.20, $950 at $3.10, Road To Paris $500 at $11, Green Spaces $4-$3.20 with bets of $2500 and $700 at $3.20, Storm Leopard $5000 at $4.80
R10, Inkaruna $3.40-$3 after bets of $1000 at $3.40, $1000 and $900 at $3.20, $500 thrice at $3
CAULFIELD
R1, Mukhtalif $4.80-$4.20 with bets of $550 at $4.75, $500 at $4.40, Hallowed Hall $14-$9 with a bet of $155 at $14
R2, Terilee $2500 at $2.50, $1380 and $1000 at $2.45, $1000 at $2.30, $1000 at $2.25, A Diva $7.50-$5.50 with a bet of $310 at $7.50
R3, Russian Meteor $16-$11 with a bet of $135 at $16
R4, Bluestone $690 at $3.90, Pantile Warrior $5.50-$3.40 after bets of $530 at $4.80, Twilight Elegance $500 w/p at $26/$5
R5, Classic Gem $4.80-$3.70 with a bet of $530 at $4.80, Savatiri $6-$5 after a $400 at $6
R6, Toronado Queen $6.50-$5 with a bet of $365 at $6.50, Chateau Eze $7.50-$6.50 with bets of $500 and $300 at $7.50, $2000 at $6.75, Extragalactic $710 at $5.15, $525 at $4.80
R7, Celsius Star $19-$13 with a $110 bet at $19, Rue De Royale $11-$9.50 with a $200 at $11
R8, Plymouth $10-$6.50 with a bet of $220 at $10, Foujita San $500 at $14, Ambassadorial $7.50-$4.20
R9, No big bets of market movers of note
R10, Porter $14-$9.50 with a bet of $155 at $14, Gold Medallist $4.80-$3.40 with a bet of $555 at $4.60, Xarpo $500 at $5.50
| Ray Thomas Randwick Selections – Doncaster-Derby Day | ||||||||
| Race | No | Horse | 2nd | Horse | 3rd | Horse | 4th | Horse |
| 1 | 1 | INCOGNITO | 9 | Blue Door | 2 | Under Focus | 3 | The Next Episode |
| 2 | 7 | PROFOUNDLY | 3 | Soverato | 5 | Burn The Sky | 4 | Feminino |
| 3 | 5 | JUJA KIBO | 3 | Travolta | 1 | Campaldino | 14 | Seo Linn |
| 4 | 11 | MONOPOLISTIC | 1 | Rivellino | 7 | Autumn Break | 14 | Olympian |
| 5 | 3 | CONSIDERED | 4 | Vermicella | 2 | Canadian Ruler | 12 | Chidiac |
| 6 | 4 | CAMPIONE D'ITALIA | 6 | Zambales | 12 | Streisand | 1 | Fireball |
| 7 | 2 | BRIASA | 6 | Joliestar | 7 | Tentyris | 1 | Jimmysstar |
| 8 | 15 | SHEZA ALIBI | 7 | Autumn Boy | 3 | Headley Grange | 1 | Gringotts |
| 9 | 1 | OBSERVER | 5 | Storm Leopard | 3 | Green Spaces | 7 | Federalist |
| 10 | 1 | INKARUNA | 9 | Plaintiff | 10 | Cantiamo | 20 | Nepo Baby |
| Ray Thomas Caulfield Selections – Easter Cup Day | ||||||||
| Race | No | Horse | 2nd | Horse | 3rd | Horse | 4th | Horse |
| 1 | 10 | ENGINE OF WAR | 4 | Mukhtalif | 3 | Curse It | 11 | Hallowed Halls |
| 2 | 3 | TERILEE | 5 | Chiringita | 6 | Autumn Slide | 4 | A Diva |
| 3 | 6 | THEBELMONTGANGSTER | 4 | Alero | 3 | Hot Digity Boom | 1 | So Risque |
| 4 | 5 | BLUESTONE | 6 | The Western Front | 9 | Pantile Warrior | 4 | Bergasun |
| 5 | 5 | PALTROW MISS | 6 | Savitri | 9 | Miss Revealing | 8 | Just Kick |
| 6 | 4 | TORONADO QUEEN | 8 | Extragalactic | 1 | Torsheen | 5 | Chateau Eze |
| 7 | 5 | RUE DE ROYALE | 7 | Theblade | 4 | My Temptation | 12 | Duchess Zou |
| 8 | 17 | AMBASSADORIAL | 14 | King's Valley | 7 | Plymouth | 10 | Sea What I See |
| 9 | 18 | KING ZEPHYR | 12 | Meridius | 6 | Persian Spirit | 1 | Here To Shock |
| 10 | 16 | XARPO | 9 | Gold Medallist | 6 | Porter | 8 | Everain |
Eagle Farm r3 no2: Placid Pearl
Eagle Farm r4 no4: Bunker Hut
Oakbank r3 no6: It'sanotherbattle
Oakbank r7 no8: Test Of Love
PROVINCIAL MAIL
Wyong r4 no1: Dear My Friend
Wyong r6 no4: Serpico
#Happy Easter - Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners
