Racing
Randwick Guineas Day with Chris Scholtz - March 7
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick Guineas meeting on March 7 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
Best Bets
RACE 1 – (8) KILBRANNAN: Promising 3YO gets his first crack at 1600m after giving away big starts over 1200m and 1500m in his two outings since resuming where his closing sectionals have easily been race best. Early wins over 1300m and 1400m stamped him as a colt with high potential and his racing style is made for a big track like Randwick. Expect he can finish over the top of these now that Tommy Berry has got the feel for him.
RACE 4 – (1) STRETAN RULER: Are the Melbourne 2YOs superior this season? After the way this imposing Victorian colt dealt with the local opposition in his first Sydney start in the G2 Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill, winning by a dominant 3.5 lengths, it's easy to argue that there is a gap in the intercity form and it will go beyond denial if he produces a similar performance in this vital Golden Slipper trial. The step to 1200m shouldn't be an issue as he rates to have them covered again at level weights.
RACE 9 – (6) JOLIESTAR: She's a super mare on her best days and that was the case when she resumed in the G2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at this course on February 14, letting down with a sparkling sprint in fast time for her fifth win when fresh. She is meeting a deeper field and does have some second up concerns with only one win from four attempts but still stands as the one to beat if she is in the same explosive form we saw three weeks ago.
Selections
RACE 1: (8) KILBRANNAN; (4) Iceman; (7) Kingston Charm; (3) Zenmaster
RACE 2: (12) JUJA KIBO; (7) Piggyback; (14) Unlimited; (4) Travolta
RACE 3: (2) CHAYAN; (1) Agrarian Girl; (3) Miss Chanel; (8) Naadra
RACE 4: (1) STRETAN RULER; (11) Tornado Valley; (8) Wolf Gap; (4) Paradoxium
RACE 5: (4) INKARUNA; (3) Beadman; (6) Caffe Florian; (7) Mareth
RACE 6: (7) POLYMNIA; (2) Pinito; (3) Movin Out; (6) Pippie Beach
RACE 7: (1) GIGA KICK; (8) Raging Force; (9) Marhoona; (6) The Black Cloud
RACE 8: (1) AUTUMN BOY; (9) Sheza Alibi; (2) Attica; (3) Ninja
RACE 9: (6) JOLIESTAR; (7) Lady Shenandoah; (3) Linebacker; (1) Gringotts
RACE 10: (13) EAGLE EXPRESS; (3) Idle Flyer; (4) Bauhinia; (7) Snow In May
RACE 2 – (12) JUJA KIBO: G1-placed before spell. Expect sharp improvement second up.
RACE 3 – (2) CHAYAN: Melbourne efforts excellent. Trust the Blue Diamond form.
RACE 5 – (4) INKARUNA: Classy Victorian filly with strong fresh form. Conditions suit.
RACE 6 – (7) POLYMNIA: Nice weight relief for suitable race second up. Deserves a good win.
RACE 7 – (1) GIGA KICK: Everest win tops his big Randwick record. Rates to win.
RACE 8 – (1) AUTUMN BOY: Impressive return has him primed. Backing a good colt to beat a good filly.
RACE 10 – (13) EAGLE EXPRESS: Sharp win first-up before pilot error last time. Excellent value with 5kg less.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – March 6-7
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Juja Kibo (R2); Rachini (R3); Paradoxium (R4); Seraphox (R4); Hidden Motive (R5); Caffe Florian (R5); Beadman (R5); Horseshoe Hill (R5); Raging Force (R7); Mazu (R7); The Black Cloud (R7); Generosity (R7); Dusty Bay (R8); Providence (R8); Gringotts (R9); Headley Grange (R9); Nepotism (R9); Linebacker (R9); Yorkshire (R9); Encap (R9); Gangsta Granny (R10); Snow In May (R10); Idle Flyer (R10)
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Waveton (R1); Auditory (R2); Senjutsu (R6)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Better Off Alone (R3)
CANBERRA SUNDAY: The Next Episode (R7); Senjutsu (R9)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Southend; Shangri La Impact; Royal Silver; King Of Roseau; Campione D'Italia; Buffalo; Bubbles Up; Kerguelen; Pericles; Ninja; True To Form; Wolf Gap; Weeping Woman; Amreekiyah; Mal Coupe; Soverato; Caesar; Written In Wrath; Fierce; Providence; Gravel Road; Celui; Tempted; Agrarian Girl; She's Assort; Banjora; Charka; Ausbred Hed'N'Tail; Signor Tortoni
WARWICK FARM March 2: Suggest Snitzel colt THE NEXT EPISODE is much better than what he produced on debut in the spring. He was noted in a previous trial and his effort to win this 820m heat (48.69; 34.10) in good time points to a good future. Settled off the leaders before easing to the middle of the track and responding well to surge home for a soft win. Evergreen MAZU again performed well, following up his recent trial win with a quieter ride to finish third in the 822m heat. There was nice work in the 1206m heats by DUSTY BAY and ENCAP.
ROSEHILL February 23: In his open heat over 1030m HIDDEN MOTIVE (61.21; 34.02) got through his work in good style while G1 winner NEPOTISM (4th) really warmed to his task over the last 100m in the other open heat his first trial since his fourth in the Cox Plate. PROVIDENCE had plenty to offer having an easy tick over trial following his first-up win at Wyong. He is shaping a genuine Rosehill Guineas/ATC Derby chance for the Waller stable. HIDDEN MOTIVE led and found all that was required for a comfortable win in his heat but the efforts of IDLE FLYER (3rd) and GRINGOTTS (5th) had merit and make this a trial where the form should be reliable. The standout winners in other heats included classy 2YO PARADOXIUM in his first trial since his easy Wyong Magic Millions win in December. He made no mistakes running away with his 900m heat by more than four lengths in the fastest time of the session (53.42; 33.61).Not sure where they are heading with his unraced stablemate RACHINI but she's now won two trials like a good horse and will be one to respect when they produce her on race day. Let down in great style to forge away with her 900m heat by more than four lengths in fast time (53.49; 34.43). Another 2YO heat winner was the fast unbeaten filly AGRARIAN GIRL in much slower time (54.88; 35.16).
RANDWICK February 19: Soft conditions didn't hamper G1 star LINEBACKER as he showed the benefit of his first-up trial at Canterbury with a classy win in the Group trial over 1000m on the course proper (60.28; 34.83). He travelled wide outside the leader GANGSTA GRANNY before easily taking control and cruising to the line. The margin wasn't big but he had plenty in reserve. BEADMAN travelled easily in third with the sit but came under pressure to make ground for second while GANGSTA GRANNY had a soft time holding down third in a heat that where the form will be worth following..
WARWICK FARM February 16: Good to see veteran sprinter MAZU retaining his zest for racing on his favoured soft ground. The popular G1 winner showed he will be capable of holding his own in the autumn sprints with a strong win in his 795m heat (47.59; 34.10) in his first trial since November. The 7YO led at a strong gallop and was under no pressure to hold the good mare IN FLIGHT in the run to the line. A fresh HEADLEY GRANGE sprinted up nicely to win his 795m heat (48.50; 34.28), railing through from midfield for a solid win.
ROSEHILL February 12: The slower black type heat over 1000m (60.12; 33.99) saw the class act YORKSHIRE win narrowly without being fully extended in the drive to the line with subsequent winner King Of Roseau. The 900m black type heat saw excellent work by the classy RAGING FORCE to run away with this trial by almost four lengths (54.89; 33.91). Took control from the start and extended like a good horse over the last 200m, showing he had come on in great style since his first-up trial. Nicer work by BAUHINIA to finish second. There were five 2YO heats over 900m with RACHINI (54.21; 34.91) among the winners making the best impression.
NEWCASTLE February 12: Classy G1 winner GRINGOTTS started off his autumn campaign with a soft trial win in his 1000m heat. He travelled easily in third behind the leaders and was quietly ridden to record a narrow win in the fastest of the nine heats over the distance (61.27; 33.84). SERAPHOX, a 2YO colt by Harry Angel making his first trial appearance, impressed with a strong win in his 850m heat (49.72; 34.48).
CANTERBURY February 6: G1 star LINEBACKER made his first appearance since November with an impressive second in his open heat over 902m. He was fresh and eager to run from start to finish but was heavily restrained throughout behind the winner and will be all the better for this hitout. BEADMAN did all that was required to win his first trial since November, having the edge on his rivals in his 902m heat for the three-year-olds (54.87; 34.72) without being fully tested by James McDonald.
ROSEHILL January 29: The class act RAGING FORCE made his return with an impressive third in his open heat over 900m (55.21; 35.05). He was full of running over the last 300m but was held up for a clear crack until the last 50m when he surged to the line in a strong pointer to his first-up prospects.
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected February 28 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
CENTRAL EUROPE; CHARCOALS; FOUJITA SAN; FUNDAMENTAL NATURE; MARK TWAIN; STAR OF OMAHA
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – March 6-8
PAKENHAM FRIDAY: Bayou Music (R5)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Jack Duggan (R1); Iceman (R1); Kilbrannan (R1); Chayan (R3); Tornado Valley (R4); Beadman (R5); Pinito (R6); Skybird (R7); Generosity (R7); Autumn Boy (R8); Bauhinia (R10); More Territories (R10); Lady Extreme (R10); Eagle Express (R10)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Scheelite (R4); Salty Pearl (R5); Sabaj (R7); Geegee's Mistruth (R9)
CANBERRA SUNDAY: Thunderlips (R6); Flying Bandit (R8)
MUSWELLBROOK SUNDAY: Chidiac (R7); Pride To Follow (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Supercilious; Birdman; Verona Rose; My Phar Lady; Green Fly; Warrior For Peace; Bengal Diamond; Fingers Hunter; Assailant; Furious; Alibaba; Paradise City; Bella Montagna; Miss Busslinger; Spanish Treasure; Althoff; Onavuitton; She's Within; Cool Jakey; Somewhere; Mare Of Mt Buller; Saint George; Hedged; Willie Oppa
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