Racing
Saturday Racing Preview with Chris Scholtz - Golden Slipper Day
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Golden Slipper Stakes meeting at Rosehill on March 21 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
Best Bets
RACE 3 - (2) PINITO: Godolphin mare was G1-placed last season in the Queensland Oaks and has shown she has benefitted from her subsequent long spell with two excellent performances for her new trainer Chris Waller. Posted the fastest closing sectional of the day when fourth in a strong G2 Millie Fox over 1400m (Coolmore Classic winner Lazzura was second) then too classy when steaming home for a soft win in the G3 Aspiration Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. She's missed a place only once in 13 starts and sure to be better rising to this trip on her home track.
RACE 6 – (2) AUTUMN BOY: Set for a peak performance third up after his excellent placings in the G2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), races that that rate above the Melbourne 3YO form. Had the measure of an unlucky Observer in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in the spring and favour him to maintain that record as he maps to get the gun run sitting on the back of the Victorian from the start.
RACE 10 – (10) INKARUNA: Classy Victorian filly was first-up when she took on the males in her first Sydney start and arguably should have beaten Beadman in the Listed Fireball (1100m) at Randwick after her rider took the wrong option waiting for a clear run that never eventuated. Beaten a nose after she made up a length on the winner in the last 50 metres when clear. Back to her own sex has her well placed to make amends. Note – she's a dual acceptor and goes in everything if she secures a start in the G1 Galaxy!
RACE 1: (8) MY PHAR LADY; (6) Bella Khadijah; 10) Allapercanto; (4) Titanium Miss
RACE 2: (8) JUJA KIBO: (1) Campaldino; (5) Athabascan; (11) Don Diego De Vega
RACE 3: (2) PINITO; (7) Polymnia; (10) Sun Gift; (5) Quietness
RACE 4: (6) WODETON; (2) Skyhook; (3) Beadman; (8) Nashville Jack
RACE 5: (4) AELIANA; (1) Sir Delius; (2) Lindermann; (3) Trinity College
RACE 6: (2) AUTUMN BOY; (1) Observer; (4) Green Spaces; (5) Victorious Spirit
RACE 7: (8) AUTUMN GLOW; (3) Evaporate; (9) Lady Shenandoah; (2) Pericles
RACE 8: (3) GUEST HOUSE; (14) Chayan; (11) Streisand; (6) Stretan Ruler
RACE 9: (12) ENRICHED; (10) Bridal Waltz; (1) Briasa; (4) Hedged
RACE 10: (10) INKARUNA; (4) Monte Supreme; (12) Asgarda; (6) More Territories
RACE 1 - (8) MY PHAR LADY: Strong last start 1400m winner this course. Same class so no reason why she can't repeat.
RACE 2 – (8) JUJA KIBO: First run for a month when tough third at Randwick. Fitter with weights in his favour.
RACE 4 – (6) WODETON: Back to his own age and runs his best races at home. Rates to win in this class.
RACE 5 – (4) AELIANA: Ideal trip and conditions for her to peak third up. Won't be chasing Autumn Glow this time.
RACE 7 – (8) AUTUMN GLOW: Facing her biggest test in a tough WFA field but can't oppose her until she's beaten.
RACE 8 – (3) GUEST HOUSE: Classy colt with the right profile off his Melbourne form but he's just one of many chances.
RACE 9 – (12) ENRICHED: Galaxy is a great race for the lightweights. Prep runs have him primed to sprint hard off fast pace.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – March 18-21
ROSEHILL: Skyhook (R4); Closer To Free (R8); Fireball (R8); Briasa (R9); Terrestar (R10)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Tuscany (R3); Annie's Rose (R8)
NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Tuscany (R1); Don't What Me (R1); Le Bleu Ciel (R2); Crathie Kirk (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Caesar; I'm A Beaut; Cristal Clear, Lazzura; Flying For Fun; Scampi; Tazima; Stand My Ground; Two Excel; Our Queen; Castlejohn; The Next Episode; Satono Glow; Gangsta Granny; Generosity; Beadman; Paradoxium; Cavallo Park; Southend; Shangri La Impact; Royal Silver; King Of Roseau; Campione D'Italia; Buffalo; Bubbles Up; Kerguelen; Pericles; Ninja; True To Form
ROSEHILL March 10: Several Golden Slipper aspirants topped of their preparation but they were overshadowed by crack sprinter BRIASA producing one of the best trials seen in Sydney this year. A superb trial by the big grey, backing up his recent Warwick Farm trial win when resuming. Tyler Schiller allowed him to run clear midway through his 900m heat and he was all class striding out under a big hold over the last 200m to win by six lengths from another G1 winner Reserve Bank in the fastest of the nine trials over the distance (54.40; 34.42), a margin that flattered the under pressure chasers. Must be hard to beat when he's produced first-up. BRIASA's trial can be compared with the other open heat over 900m in slower time (55.29; 35.06) where TERRESTAR was the one working best, finishing third under an easy ride. Melbourne's Golden Slipper hope CLOSER TO FREE, ridden by Jamie Melham, took to the clockwise direction in good style to win his 1030m heat (61.82; 35.53), leading easily and holding another Slipper runner FIREBALL (James McDonald) at bay in a good prep as they left their rivals many lengths behind. It was a David v Goliath clash as FIREBALL is a big robust Snitzel colt who towered over the racy Victorian youngster. Quality 3YO SKYHOOK is set for a good campaign after putting in good work over the last 200m to overhaul a runaway leader in his 900m heat (54.85; 34.20).
WARWICK FARM March 2: The return of classy grey BRIASA took the spotlight and he didn't disappoint. He was too classy for his rivals in his 822m heat (49.45; 34.01) in his first trial since the spring. Easily took up the running and worked well within himself to maintain a comfortable advantage with the hitout certain to improve his fitness..
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – March 20-21
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Juja Kibo (R2); Nashville Jack (R4); Conscience (R4); Aeliana (R5); Autumn Boy (R6); Deal Done Fast (R6); Victorious Spirit (R6); Federalist (R6); Evaporate (R7); Inkaruna (R9/R10); More Territories (R10); Lady Extreme (R10); Eagle Express (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Red Galaxy (R5); Fundamental Nature (R6); Too Darn Discreet (R7); Philia (R7); Airman (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Jack Duggan (R2); Smexy (R5)
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected March 14 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
APULIA; BENGAL BOY; FEDERALIST; KING'S SECRET; SILVASISTA; THE AUTUMN AFFAIR; VIVY AIR
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Salty Pearl; Scampi; Chidiac; Pinito; Scheelite; Chayan; 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
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