Scholtz's Say
Weekend Racing Preview with Chris Scholtz: 20th February - 21st February 2026
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Canterbury and Rosehill meetings on February 20 and 21 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RACE 1: (6) NORDIC VIKING; (9) Farfetched; (5) Mister Martini; (8) Rach
RACE 2: (2) TASSRON; (1) Lugarno; (5) Shanoni; (7) Okami Star
RACE 3: (6) RUMOURS ABOUND; (1) Kimberley Secrets; (3) Generous Harry; (11) Jenni The Jet
RACE 4: (3) LE TROISIR; (1) Concordia Wind; (2) Golden Loom; (4) El Paso
RACE 5: (9) MANUKAU; (3) Thames; (7) Vanessi; (5) Burj
RACE 6: (6) IVAN'S HERO; (7) Tenderize; (4) Art Volant; (1) No Drama
RACE 7: (6) FERINZO; (4) Albany Road; (8) Ornithology; (11) Calga Power
Best Bets
RACE 3 – (6) EAGLE EXPRESS: Impressed winning first-up in BM72 class over 1200m at this course on January 31, coming home over the top of Stormland. While they come back 100m in distance and the latter is 1.5kg better off at the weights the speed will be on from the outset with the map indicating James McDonald will give this improving mare every chance to repeat from her good barrier.
RACE 8 – (7) NINJA: A genuine class test for this talented gelding but he has some key factors in his favour, holding residual race fitness from his summer campaign and a draw that should see him enjoy the run of the race over this favourable distance. Astute punters know he should have been awarded the protest in last month's MM Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast and a subsequent impressive trial win over 1000m at this course has him ready to produce the high rating form that saw him demolish his rivals by five lengths in the G3 Vo Rogue (1300m) at Eagle Farm in December.
RACE 9 - (1) LAZZURA: Could have resumed last Saturday but the leading stable wisely decided to wait a week for this G2 event for fillies and mares that has this multiple Group winner well placed to add to her strong fresh record. She's won twice when resuming, has winning form on the board at this course and is not badly treated in this company with 58kg on a 54kg limit as her handicap rating of 109 is between 12 and 32 points above her rivals. Ready to sprint after two soft hitouts in strong Group trials.
RACE 1: (6) STARPHISTOCATED; (3) Iceman; (8) Kilbrannan; (9) Embrace The Wind
RACE 2: (3) ATMOSPHERIC ROCK; (2) New Pharoah; (6) Solitario; (16) Winning Emotions
RACE 3: (6) EAGLE EXPRESS; (9) Stormland; (7) Polyglot; (2) Signor Tortoni
RACE 4: (12) LA ROJA; (13) Transcend; (14) Monte Veebee; (7) Interjection
RACE 5: (3) MAGNATEAR; (2) Lord Penman; (6) Thunderlips; (10) Kind Words
RACE 6: (2) HIDRIX; (9) Shiki; (4) Confederation; (1) Incognito
RACE 7: (6) TRAVOLTA; (14) Piggyback; (15) Sam Hawkens; (12) Sibaaq
RACE 8: (7) NINJA; (1) Autumn Boy; (4) Shangri La Boy; (5) Napoleonic
RACE 9: (1) LAZZURA; (8) Cinsault; (11) Mareth; (7) Modella
RACE 10: (9) TONKIN; (7) Hawker Hall; (6) Scampi; (2) Kerguelen
RACE 1 - (6) STARPHISTOCATED: Good prep runs since resuming. Set to peak in a target race.
RACE 2 - (3) ATMOSPHERIC ROCK: Seasoned Highway performer. Value in this field.
RACE 4 - (12) LA ROJA: Excellent form since resuming. Can go one better with blinkers added.
RACE 5 - (3) MAGNATEAR: Right track and distance for this race fit leader. Should get map favours.
RACE 6 - (2) HIDRIX: Professional debut this course and distance. Better for the experience.
RACE 7 - (6) TRAVOLTA: Obviously fitter after strong return. Well placed to improve.
RACE 10 – (9) TONKIN: Smart mare resuming in a good race. Trialling well and kind draw helps.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – February 20-24
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Mister Martini (R1); True To Form (R7)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Arriving Home (R3); Hezdarnhottoo (R3); Northern Eyes (R4); Transcend (R4); Dr Hook (R6); Euripedes (R6); Shiki (R6); Just Fine (R7); Sam Hawkens (R7); Attica (R8); Autumn Boy (R8); Shangri La Boy (R8); Ninja (R8); Pinito (R9); Mareth (R9); Kerguelen (R10); Hawker Hall (R10); Tonkin (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Pericles (R7); Jedibeel (R9)
WYONG SATURDAY: Le Bleu Ciel (R3); Frostisen (R6)
KEMBLA GRANGE TUESDAY: Chilly Charlie (R6)
SCONE TUESDAY: Scrap (R1); Be More Pacific (R3)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: 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; Journeyman; Decorum; God Save The King; Willaidow; Sixties; Chilly Girl; Easiest Choice; St Faith's; On One; Bryant; Harry's Evidence
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM February 16: In a strong open heat over 795m (47.85; 34.43). KERGUELEN performed with merit sitting three and four wide and holding his ground under no pressure.
ROSEHILL February 12: Exciting 3YO NINJA is set to bounce back from his controversial Magic Millions defeat after a classy win in the fastest of the two black type heats over 1000m on the course proper (58.02; 33.01). The speedster WAY TO THE STARS led them up but NINJA was in cruise control settling third before working well within himself to gain the upper hand over the closing stages. PERICLES tracked wide to finish an easy fourth. PINITO will be improved after covering ground three wide for fourth in her 900m heat. There were five 2YO heats over 900m with several winners looking set to make their mark when produced. The youngsters making the best impression were DR HOOK (55.01; 34.60) and EURIPEDES (54.64; 34.66).
NEWCASTLE February 12: The fast sprinter HAWKER HALL showed he has not gone backwards since his Magic Millions win at the Gold Coast, breezing through his fast 850m heat (48.19; 33.68) for a dominant 3.5 lengths win that sets him up for his next sprint assignment. Maidens taking the eye including the heat winners FROSTISEN and LE BLUE CIEL.
CANTERBURY February 6: Sharp filly SHIKI, back from the Magic Millions, led her 899m heat easily before showing classy acceleration to sprint away from the chasers and coast home in the fastest time of the morning (54.06; 34.96). Her speed has her ready for anything up to 1200m. A strong open heat over 902m was won by HEZDARNHOTTOO (54.38; 34.33), a talented performer not seen at the races for 12 months. G1 winner BUCKAROO had an easy time putting in his best work over the last 200m to finish fourth. JEDIBEEL was too classy for his rivals in his 902m heat (55.48; 34.47), breezing home in slow time. In a 3YO heat (54.34; 34.29) the soft fourth of MARETH took the eye.
WARWICK FARM February 3: Another set on soft ground featuring three black type trials on the course proper. In Heat 1 (1000m) JUST FINE, having his second trial after his long break from racing, had no trouble leading at his own speed and was unchallenged in the run to the line (61.98; 36.29). In Heat 2 (1000m) Caulfield Guineas winner AUTUMN BOY was responsible for the eye catcher with his strong third under a big hold from James McDonald, an effort that showed he had taken plenty of benefit from his first-up trial. G1 winner ATTICA (4th) tracked three wide and was under pressure to hold his ground over the last 200m. Godolphin sprinter KERGEULEN won twice for Joe Pride in the spring and he is set for more success in his coming campaign after an excellent performance in his 820m open heat on the inside grass (48.98; 34.13). Having his first trial since he won at Randwick in October KERGUELEN worked well within himself to finish third in a positive start to his autumn prep.
ROSEHILL January 29: The fastest 900m heat was won by MISTER MARTINI (54.29; 34.61) in his first trial since his only race start last August. His progress should be monitored.
RANDWICK January 27: In his 900m black type heat on the course proper (54.39; 34.71) PERICLES covered more ground than the first pair in his first trial since the spring. He looked in fine condition doing his best work through the line ahead of a nice trial from PALMETTO.
HAWKESBURY January 23: Classy sprinter JEDIBEEL was the standout winning his open heat over 800m. In a nice return since his spring campaign he worked well within himself to share the lead and do all that was required in the sprint to the line (48.24; 33.07). His overall time was standard but he is closing split was the fastest of the six 800m heats. Keep an eye out for the return of the former Kiwi TRANSCEND after he put in nice work late for a soft fourth in his open 800m heat (48.01; 33.42). He won twice in NZ before he was heavily backed in his first local start at Randwick for Michael Freedman.
WARWICK FARM January 22: In the second black type heat over 900m (53.14; 34.45) AUTUMN BOY had a very easy trial finishing fourth.
RANDWICK January 15: The slowest of the three black type heats (52.41; 34.86) saw SHANGRI LA BOY leading clearly and maintaining his advantage to the line. The 1200m open heat created interest as it saw the ex-William Haggas import SAM HAWKENS win the trial (74.73; 35.34) in his first appearance for the O'Shea/Charlton stable. The winner of four races in the UK up to 2800m had the one spring start for Haggas in the ATC St Leger at Randwick in October and is a stayer to keep a close watch on through the autumn.
WARWICK FARM January 9: A lovely return trial by the G1 winner ATTICA to finish fifth in his 800m heat in a perfect start to his autumn prep.
RANDWICK October 20: In a deep open heat over 1050m (64.04; 34.29) PINITO had an easy time out the back but took the eye with strong late work through the line.
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected February 14 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
AELIANA; BIRDMAN; KARINSKA; SABAJ; SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET; VERONA ROSE
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 20-24
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Thames (R5); Jack Duggan (R6)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Salty Pearl (R5); Leica Lucy (R7); Alibaba (R8); Chayan (R8); Geegee's Mistruth (R9); Red Galaxy (R10)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Jack Duggan (R1); Iceman (R1); Thames (R3); Pride To Follow (R3); Flying Bandit (R5); Thunderlips (R5); Touristic (R7); Bandi's Boy (R10); Scampi (R10)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Zondee (R10)
SCONE TUESDAY: Splash Of Steel (R3)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: 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; Rey Magnerio; Electric Impulse; Bella Corazon; Bestower
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