Race-by-race tips and previews for Randwick on Saturday
By Ray Hickson
Race 1: 12:30PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600M)
Happy to stay with 4. Iceman. It should have run second at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago, he overreacted to some slight crowding and it cost him. Both runs back have been excellent, a bit of sting out is ideal and he’s proven at the Randwick mile. He’ll be in the finish. 8. Kilbrannan comes through the same race where he was his own worst enemy getting way too far back before he charged home into fourth. He has a tendency to do that but if he’s within range at the turn he can be hard to hold out. 7. Kingston Charm is a chance in this sort of race. She was excellent when narrowly beaten two runs back then drew wide and kept battling in a similar Midway a month ago. Every chance from a nice gate. 3. Zenmaster can’t be left out as he’ll likely look to lead and if he can get a degree of control as he did last start a month ago he can take running down. He does tend to prefer a good track.
How to play it: Iceman WIN.
Race 2: 1:05PM RANDWICK CITY STAKES (2000M)
Staying with 7. Piggyback. Has been excellent in both runs back and particularly in her second-up win in the Parramatta Cup. She’s come back a better horse and the 2000m with a bit of give in the ground is tailor-made for her. She’ll again do no work from the gate and if she lets down like she has so far this preparation she’ll take stopping. 12. Juja Kibo hasn’t raced since a solid first-up run over a mile a month ago, the same race Piggyback resumed in. He’ll relish getting up in distance, down in weight and has a strong chance. 3. Alalcance won this last year off a similar build up first-up from a spell. She wasn’t the same horse in the spring so have to take that preparation lightly. Any support would be a good push, if she’s in the same form as a year ago she will take catching. 4. Travolta has run well twice this time in with his form tying around Piggyback so he has to be included. Barrier no help and he has also accepted at Canberra on Sunday.
How to play it: Piggyback WIN.
Race 3: 1:40PM PETALUMA REISLING STAKES (1200M)
8. Naadra had a heap of support on debut at Warwick Farm in a midweek maiden and while she was run down by Wolf Gap she fought strongly when challenged. Has to be fitter for that run, she’ll be right on the back of the speed again and given how open the two-year-olds have been this season this isn’t beyond her. 2. Chayan brings what has been some strong form from the Blue Diamond series into this and bears close watching. Had a big task in the Diamond after getting well back early and her run was very good to be beaten three lengths. Keep safe. 1. Agrarian Girl was unfancied when she won the Lonhro Plate on debut beating Spicy Miss so the form has stood up. It’s up to her to repeat the dose now she’s right in the market and with 2.5kg more but happy to throw her in. 12. Rachini is an interesting one. She debuted in the Debutants at Caulfield in the spring then switched to the Baker stable. Both trials have resulted in big wins, while she’s drawn wide she should be watched.
How to play it: Naadra WIN.
Race 4: 2:15PM DARLEY TODMAN STAKES (1200M)
There hasn’t been a more impressive win by a two-year-old of late than 1. Stretan Ruler in the Silver Slipper. And the form around his first-up effort continues to strengthen. Sure he had a nice run behind the speed but he put them away with ease. There’s every chance he finds a similar run and if the same horse turns up there’s every chance the result is the same. 4. Paradoxium is a big query as we haven’t seen him since his easy win in the Magic Millions at Wyong. He’s been off the scene due to a virus so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs. Looked the part winning his recent trial, and if he’s at his best he’s a threat. 8. Wolf Gap produced a big effort to run Naadra down on debut at Warwick Farm. Lands wherever he wants from the gate and could easily measure up. 2. Hidrix and 3. Incognito were set big tasks in the Silver Slipper and their efforts to run third and fourth respectively were solid. Both have blinkers on.
How to play it: Stretan Ruler WIN.
Chad Schofield riding Stretan Ruler to win the Chandon Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on February 21.Credit: Getty Images
Race 5: 2:50PM ALL OCCASION CRUISES FIREBALL STAKES (1100M)
6. Caffe Florian is a filly showing promise and she underlined it by winning the Gosford Guineas before a short break. She’s shown an outstanding turn of foot and there’s enough speed here for her to put that to good use late. Don’t mind her drawn out, it’s a straight run to the turn, and can expect her to be breathing down their necks. 3. Beadman had a boom put on him after his eight lengths Gold Coast Guineas win. His spring was sound, he was run down in the Heritage first-up and a touch unlucky in the Roman Consul before a shot at the Coolmore where he was safely held. He’s trialling not badly and some give in the track is in his favour. 1. Hidden Motive also contested the Coolmore and he was able to beat Beadman in the Roman Consul after leading. Good test for him and he can give a sight. 4. Inkaruna mixed it with Tempted as a two-year-old and her spring ended with a Group 3 win against the fillies including My Gladiola. Blinkers off, gate one, she can’t be left out.
How to play it: Caffe Florian WIN.
Race 6: 3:25PM ASAHI SUPER DRY ASPIRATION QUALITY (1600M)
2. Pinito might be half a run short of being ready to fire but her first-up run was far too good to not want to be with her up to a much more suitable trip. She comes through a stronger race first-up where she was excellent from the back. A bit of give in the track doesn’t harm her either. 5. Unleeshing handled a step up in class in her stride and her performance to win over the mile a month ago was excellent as she had to make a long mid race run to get within striking range. Another class hike but she looks up to it. 10. Starphistocated is coming through Midway form but she’s building a handy record and was far too good at Rosehill two weeks ago after tracking the speed. Good each-way chance. 1. Quietness hasn’t done a lot wrong without winning and she was game in defeat in the Bendigo Cup before a spell. The mile is likely a touch short but can’t see her running a bad race fresh.
How to play it: Pinito WIN.
Race 7: 4:00PM SCHWEPPES CHALLENGE STAKES (1000M)
The Tentyris form is hard to ignore and 1. Giga Kick wasn’t disgraced when ridden a bit upside down first-up in the Lightning to only be beaten two lengths. He is well proven at Randwick, being an Everest winner, and there should be plenty of speed on to allow him to settle off them and wind up. Beat the Oakleigh Plate winner first-up last preparation then beat Joliestar second-up. He’s the benchmark. 8. Raging Force is a promising three-year-old that raced through the grades in the winter to win a San Domenico and he split Tentyris and Sheza Alibi at Caulfield in October. Trialling well and any control he’s given will make him hard to catch. 2. Mazu raced well through the spring with placings in the Premiere and Russell Balding either side of his Everest run where he was only 3.5 lengths off Ka Ying Rising. The softer the track the better his hopes. 9. Marhoona also contested the Lightning first-up and she weakened to beat a couple home. Back around a corner will help and she can improve.
How to play it: Giga Kick WIN.
Mark Zahra on board Giga Kick wins the Champions Sprint.Credit: Getty Images
Race 8: 4:35PM THE AGENCY RANDWICK GUINEAS (1600M)
Why can’t 3. Ninja run the mile? He enjoyed sitting on the speed in the Hobartville and he wasn’t stopping at the end of 1400m. There’s a fair chance this could be similarly run and from eight he has plenty of time. If that first half of the race works to that sort of script then he’ll give a kick and take catching. 9. Sheza Alibi is unbeaten since the blinkers went on and she was far too good once she gained the inside run first-up at Caulfield two weeks ago. She’s done nothing wrong and if she’s able to win this then she’s top class. 2. Attica was winding up well at the end of the Hobartville at 1400m running some nice late sectionals. The Randwick mile is right up his alley, he’s won both starts at the track including the Dulcify by a big margin at the mile before his Spring Champion win. Interesting to see whether they go back or roll the dice and go forward. Either way he’ll run well. 1. Autumn Boy had his chance to gather the revs and ran on well in third in the Hobartville, he has a barrier advantage so he’ll likely be a lot closer and while he’s a Group 1 winner this is his chance to live up to those raps.
How to play it: Ninja WIN.
Race 9: 5:15PM SUPER SETH @ COOLMORE CANTERBURY STAKES (1300M)
9. Napoleonic found himself a bit too far off them in the Hobartville so his effort to hold second was solid as he was the one doing the work to chase the eventual winner. Doubt he’ll be too far away from the speed. Brings strong three-year-old form into this around Tempted and the 1300m looks right in his zone. If he’s going to measure up to Group 1 WFA this is a nice scenario for it. 6. Joliestar will be the benchmark after her first-up win in the Expressway where her trademark dash came into play in the last 200m. It looks a good set up for her. If there’s a negative she hasn’t put two similar runs together for a little while. Logical threat. 7. Lady Shenandoah was a drifter in betting in the Expressway and she probably should have run second after making a late evasive move when running on. May be giving a start but will run well. 3. Linebacker had an interrupted spring so his midfield finish in the Golden Eagle isn’t too bad under the circumstances. Capable of a big run fresh, he won the Randwick Guineas at this meeting last year.
How to play it: Napoleonic EACH-WAY.
Napoleonic running second to Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
Race 10: 5:55PM KIA ORA WENONA GIRL QUALITY (1200M)
Impossible to ignore how well suited 2. Gangsta Granny is in this race first-up. Stretched Autumn Glow fresh last time on a heavy track and was able to win the Nivison at this trip third-up. Cruises across from the wide gate onto the speed and is the one they have to beat. 4. Bauhinia is trialling well for a smart return and she shouldn’t be underestimated. 3. Idle Flyer came a long way last time in to the point she started $3.60 in the Group 1 Empire Rose at the end of spring. The 1200m is likely just short of what would make her a big threat. 10. Lady Extreme wound up nicely at the finish when resuming over this track and trip a month ago. She wasn’t disgraced in the Nivison last preparation and no surprise if she ran into the placings.
How to play it: Gangsta Granny WIN.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au