Scholtz's Say
Weekend Racing Preview with Chris Scholtz - 7th February 2026
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Inglis Millennium race meeting at Randwick on February 7 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
Best Bets
RACE 4 – (9) UNLEESHING: Promising mare is on an upward spiral and is well placed to take the next step after posting impressive figures in her last start BM64 win over 1550m on the Kensington course. Having just her third run since resuming, she sprinted home in fast time under 60.5kg to win by four lengths and dropping 6kg to the limit weight of 54kg should be capable of carrying on with that form in this higher grade.
RACE 7 – (18) PROFITABELLE: Big filly with talent to match her size. Good trials saw her heavily supported to win her debut over 1000m at this course on January 3 where she did her best work late to finish third. A subsequent impressive Randwick trial win over 1050m against older horses, where she surged through the line under no pressure, indicates that she will be very strong late in this speed dominated contest. The rails draw is a big bonus – just needs clear air at the right time.
RACE 9 – (7) WEST OF AFRICA: Reaching peak fitness after having excuses in each of his three runs this prep. Should have been right in the finish last time at the Gold Coast when sixth in the MM Cup over 1400m after he was held up in traffic and went to the line untested. This track and distance is what he needs.
RACE 1: (14) MY PHAR LADY; (5) Kingston Charm; (9) Tenbury Wells; (12) Rathoran
RACE 2: (7) MARTINI MUMMA; (12) Autumn Break; (2) Fingers Hunter; (6) Nimble Star
RACE 3: (6) LADY MOSCATO; (5) Spicy Miss; (2) Campione D'Italia; (11) Essay
RACE 4: (9) UNLEESHING; (7) Lancelot Du Lac; (5) Pretty Powerful; (3) Aroha Stone
RACE 5: (3) POLYGLOT; (7) Monte Veebee; (2) Uzziah; (8) Tarpaulin
RACE 6: (7) LA ROJA; (6) Cinsault; (1) Wooloowin; (3) Candlewick
RACE 7: (18) PROFITABELLE; (5) Star Of Jamaica; (4) Jacaranda; (7) Defensemen
RACE 8: (3) TEMPTED; (2) Napoleonic; (8) Watson; (5) Wodeton
RACE 9: (7) WEST OF AFRICA; (14) Hellsing; (16) Sun God; (15) Lavish Empire
RACE 10: (6) CELUI; (10) Lulumon; (9) Lady Extreme; (7) Spring Lee
RACE 1 – (14) MY PHAR LADY: Primed for this after two good efforts in shorter events since resuming.
RACE 2 – (7) MARTINI MUMMA: Tough run from wide gate first-up. Set to improve from the rails draw.
RACE 3 – (6) LADY MOSCATO: Plenty to like about her Gold Coast debut. Expect natural improvement on her home track.
RACE 5 – (3) POLYGLOT: Good fresh and goes well for McDonald. Trials suggest his new stable have him ready.
RACE 6 – (7) LA ROJA: Strong effort first-up when she just missed at Wyong. Sure to appreciate the big Randwick track.
RACE 8 – (3) TEMPTED: Class act unbeaten when fresh. Should have these covered.
RACE 10 – (8) CELUI: Bled last time he raced. Happy to trust his recent winning trial form.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – February 7-10
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Campione D'Italia (R3); Essay (R3); Helldeeva (R3); Agrarian Girl (R3); Polyglot (R5); Bella Khadijah (R6); Plagiarism (R7); Defensemen (R7); Profitabelle (R7); Tempted (R8); Napoleonic (R8); Dusty Bay (R8); Celui (R10); Mal Coupe (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Pallaton (R6)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: She's Assort (R1); Curie (R1)
PORT MACQUARIE SUNDAY: Juvenal (R5)
MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Woodrow (R1)
WYONG TUESDAY: Gravel Road (R2); Nafanua (R3); Providence (R4); Fierce (R5); Miss Fleetwood (R5); Wootton Lass (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: 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; Way To The Stars; Twisted Love; Just Maz; Rajwa; You're The Choice; Bondasong; Bev's Nine; Melenite; Little Iris; Ferinzo; Asilah; California Command
ROSEHILL January 29: The talented CELUI made another good impression working strongly to win his open heat in style (54.40; 34.21), finishing off under a soft ride over the last 200m after travelling easily behind the smart leader MAL COUPE. Some nice work in the 2YO trials over 900m where CAMPIONE D'ITALIA recorded a good placing in his heat (54.70; 34.62) confirmed previously noted trial form.
RANDWICK January 27: In a leisurely run black type heat over 1000m (58.07; 33.52) top shelf filly TEMPTED worked well within herself in her first trial since her Everest placing to finish fourth after covering the most ground. Highly regarded juvenile filly PROFITABELLE took on older horses in her 1050m heat on the Randwick A grass and showed her quality to sprint home fast from midfield after she was held up for a classy win (64.24; 34.88). Expect her to go on from the promise she showed when placed on debut. The fastest 1050m heat (62.65; 33.70) will be a reliable guide with the talented NAPOLEONIC responding well to win the trial in good style. Stylish Wootton Basset colt PROVIDENCE rates among the best 3YO maidens of the current crop. He's classic material with his surging finish from last to finish second in his 1050m heat (62.78; 34.69) in his first trial since his fifth in the Victoria Derby a perfect start to autumn prep. Other 1050m trials worth noting included the heat winners WOOTTON LASS (63.08; 33.84) and NAFANUA (63.32; 34.28) and a promising placing by HELLDEEVA.
WARWICK FARM January 22: Impressive first trial by Zousain filly ESSAY to close off strongly for second in her 2YO heat over 799m won by the previously noted trial winner AGRARIAN GIRL (46.99; 33.75). ESSAY showed no early speed to settle eight lengths off the lead in the first 200m before working into it wide under a cold ride. Loved her action as she put in strong work over the last 200m taking lengths off the winner to finish the closest of seconds. The four 2YO heats were an even lot with the Waterhouse/Bott colt PLAGIARISM posting the fastest time (46.39; 33.23). Youngsters to take the eye with good work in their trials included DEFENSEMEN. You can look forward to the return to racing of this unbeaten Capitalist gelding FIERCE. His soft win in the fastest open heat over 801m (47.05; 33.71) in his first trial since he won on debut at Hawkesbury in September lays a good platform for what lies ahead.
RANDWICK January 15: An early autumn preview with a galaxy of Group stars starting off their preps in three black type trials over 850m on the Kensington. In the third of the three trials PALLATON was visually the most impressive of the three winners (51.50; 34.20) as he cruised away for an easy win by 2.5 lengths. (51.50; 34.20) In the same heat NAPOLEONIC impressed with a strong third. All the Chris Waller runners had nothing more than conditioning work including WODETON hard held to the line finishing sixth in the slowest of the three heats (52.41; 34.86). The trials on the Randwick A Grass were also full of quality with smart Godolphin 4YO POLYGLOT set to perform well fresh after a strong win in his 740m heat (44.93; 34.22) in his first trial since November. Travelled easily and joined in with plenty to offer at the 200m, going to the line under an easy ride.
ROSEHILL January 13: MAL COUPE, a star last winter when he won four races on soft and heavy tracks, made a strong return in his first trial since August winning his 900m heat (54.78; 34.59) with authority after sitting three deep outside the lead. CELUI was another open heat winner showing good form to win the fastest 900m trial (53.73; 34.25) where the stayer MANAAJEM was doing his best work through the line.
WARWICK FARM January 9: Smart work by lightly raced maiden filly CURIE, showing she has progressed nicely from her first two starts early in the season. Took control of her 796m heat from the start, travelling strongly from start to finish with her rider easing her down through the line (46.86; 33.33). Sure to be well placed in a midweek maiden. Excellent trial by unraced Tassort filly SHE'S ASSORT to win her 796m heat, leading untouched and never put under pressure when the runner-up came at her over the last 100m. She was placed in her first three trials and has been well educated for her debut. The 2YO heats over 800m saw a good win by the fast AGRARIAN GIRL (47.25; 33.91).
NEWCASTLE January 8: A couple of maidens impressed with smart heat wins in fast time including a strong debut trial by Capitalist gelding GRAVEL ROAD. Sat outside the lead to the turn and extended easily to run freely to the line under a hold for soft 3.6 lengths win in the fastest of the nine heats over 800m (45.22; 33.35). Should take plenty of benefit from the experience. Nice effort by Exceed And Excel gelding WOODROW in his first trial since the winter. Worked strongly under a hold outside the lead before taking control at the 300m and had plenty in reserve holding his rivals comfortably to the line in smart time (45.90; 33.90). Expect him to improve on his first two starts in August when he contested some strong maidens.
CANTERBURY December 2: Unraced 2YOs worth noting included CAMPIONE D'ITALIA.
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected January 31 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
BAYOU MUSIC; EARTH GOD; ICEMAN; MERIDIANA; WARRIOR FOR PEACE
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 7
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Charleroi (R1); Fingers Hunter (R2); Tarpaulin (R5); Wodeton (R8); West Of Africa (R9); Thunderlips (R9); Hutchence (R9); Bandi's Boy (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: High Alert (R3); Feroce (R7); Willydoit (R9); Hiyaam Proud (R10)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Bengal Diamond (R10)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: 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; Ruska Roma; Aviatress; Dirty Grin; Brave Call
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