Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: Randwick Preview – 23rd December 2023
The Australian Turf Club will host a ten-race program at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The track is in the soft range with the rail essentially out 8m.
We've provided our thoughts on each race below to help those punters looking to start their Christmas celebrations early.
RACE 1 - 12:30PM: DRINKWISE PLATE (1100 METRES)
Straight Charge (3) resumes for his second preparation after impressing on debut in the Group 3 Breeders Plate in September.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained Written By colt fought tooth and nail with Espionage but was outbobbed on the line.
He's come back this preparation in great style with two strong trial wins.
Tim Clark will rate him beautifully in front which will make him hard to get past.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 1
RACE 2 - 1:05PM: KIA ORA PRAGUE HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
I'm A Dirty Rascal (1) should be ready to peak third-up following two solid performances.
Last start the Waterhouse and Bott-trained six-year-old gelding charged home to finish fourth by 1.12 length in the Listed Christmas Cup over 2400m at Rosehill.
He faces a big drop in class but that is offset by him having to carry 62.5kg.
While it's a large impost, he did carry big weights like this well when in the UK.
1 Unit – I'm A Dirty Rascal (1)
BET NOW: Randwick Race 2
RACE 3 - 1:40PM: HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Sharp Stock (4) looks ready to win a Highway Handicap after placing in his two most recent races.
The Rod Northam-trained gelding found the line strongly to close the gap to half a length on Mosgold when finishing second over 1400m here last start.
Two starts back he went within a whisker of winning over this distance at Newcastle.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will help him get home strongly from a midfield position.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 3
RACE 4 - 2:15PM: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Ningaloo Star (7) has been in consistent form lately and once again looks well placed in this Midway Handicap.
The daughter of Deep Field won here over 1300m three starts ago and was unlucky not to repeat the dose last start.
On that occasion she hit the front and looked the winner over this course and distance but was run down late by Terra Mater.
She maps to get a great run for Craig Williams.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 4
RACE 5 - 2:50PM: DOYLE'S BREEDING AND RACING HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Mistress (9) loves racing over a mile and she proved that last start when stepping up to this distance at Wyong.
The John O'Shea-trained More Than Ready mare saved ground on the turn before dashing clear to comfortably win by two lengths.
She looked to have more to give which bodes well with the rise in class.
With increased fitness third-up, she looks a major player from the kind barrier.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 5
RACE 6 - 3:25PM: THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Valiancy (8) looks set for a peak performance third-up after improving significantly last start.
The Maher and Eustace-trained mare was held up on the fence but once clear let down well to finish third by 1.7 lengths over 1100m at Rosehill.
She'll strip fitter and has won over this distance when third-up before.
She should enjoy a great run for Craig Williams from an inside gate.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 6
RACE 7 - 4:00PM: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Meritable (2) returned to racing in terrific fashion last start in the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill.
The Mark Minervini-trained five-year-old was sent out at triple figure odds but defied that to run on strongly and just miss the win, finishing second by half a length.
He'll have taken benefit from the run and has won second-up previously.
Dylan Gibbons should be able to find a prominent position from barrier 1.
1 Unit Each Way – Meritable (2)
BET NOW: Randwick Race 7
RACE 8 - 4:40PM: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Waihaha Falls (4) was unlucky not to win last start over 1200m here.
The John O'Shea-trained son of Sacred Falls had a chequered path in the straight but let down powerfully to finish a neck third.
Given how strong he was through the line, the rise to 1400m will suit third-up.
Any sting out of the track will benefit his chances.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 8
RACE 9 - 5:20PM: VALE MR ALAN 'JOCK' GOLLOGLY (1800 METRES)
Aristonous (4) resumed in fine style over 1600m here last start.
The Annabel Neasham-trained five-year-old gelding settled back and ran on strongly to finish third by just over half a length.
The rise to 1800m looks ideal given the way he ran through the line and he won second-up at this track last preparation.
A good speed should be set which adds to his chances.
BET NOW: Randwick Race 9
RACE 10 - 5:55PM: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Danaustar (2) brought good form from Victoria prior to racing at Kembla Grange last start.
Two starts back, the Maher and Eustace-trained five-year-old gelding settled handy over 1203m at Kyneton before proving too strong to win by 1.3 length win.
He was as tough as nails last start when leading all the way in the heavy conditions at Kembla Grange over 1400m.
He has won or placed in eight of 12 starts on rain-affected tracks so any sting out of the ground will be appreciated.
Craig Williams will go forward and give them something to catch.
