Another ten-race program has been taken for Royal Randwick on Saturday, July 31st.
The rail will be set out 12 metres from the 900m – Winning Post and 10 metres around the remainder, and at publish the track is rated in the Soft (5) range.
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Race 1 – 11:20AM – ATC Thank You Stable Staff Handicap, (1300m)
Seleque faces a rise in class into the first at Randwick on Saturday, but she has been in terrific form since resuming, and it does look the next logical step.
The Deep Field filly proved too good for a BM72 field at Warwick Farm when fresh, and she was only just beaten home by Matterhorn at Canterbury last time.
Fitter third-up and under Tommy Berry, I think she’ll prove hard to beat.
Race 2 – 11:55AM – Highway Class 3 Handicap, (1200m)
This shapes as the strongest Highway race for a couple of months and there is a case to be made for several runners, including Sunrise Ruby.
Sunrise Ruby has been nothing short of outstanding since resuming this time, and has recorded consecutive wins at her home track of Albury, highlighted by a bullish triumph in BM58 company last time.
Fitter third-up and getting into this race well under the conditions, she looks to be a genuine each-way chance.
Race 3 – 12:30pm – ATC Thanks Frontline Workers Handicap, (1800m)
She doesn’t know how to run a bad race and I am happy to stick with Zing in Race 3 at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Zing has been right in the finish of each of her five starts back from a spell, winning over 1800m at Rosehill two back, and she takes her place in this field after finishing second behind La Chevalee here a fortnight ago.
She gets some relief in the weights under Brock Ryan, and I am confident she can turn the tables on that galloper.
Race 4 – 1:05pm – The Agency Real Estate Handicap, (1800m)
There is a case to be built for several gallopers engaged in the fourth, including O’mudgee.
O’mudgee has returned plenty of eye-catching performances since making his return to the track, and scored a lovely win with 60kgs in tow on the Kensington course here two back.
This looks to be a slightly easier race to that which saw him finish sixth behind the likes of La Chevalee and Zing last time, and we can have an each-way play at around the $10 mark.
Race 5 – 1:40pm – Midway Handicap, (1300m)
Zorocat has been an excellent horse for the Damien Lane stable since making her debut, and she looks well placed to record another Saturday metro win at Randwick.
The Toronado filly hasn’t run a bad race since resuming, but she has also continued to improve with each start and beat home a handy BM72 field here last time, with something in hand.
With even luck, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Race 6 – 2:15pm – ATC Thank You Owners Handicap, (1500m)
French import Dick Whittington is an intriguing runner on debut for the Matt Smith stable, and I am happy to roll the dice on him.
The War Command gelding stamped himself as one to watch in his four-start debut prep in France last year, winning his first two starts and placing behind Algiers in black type company.
He has been prepared for this race with a couple of handy trials here in Sydney and if his European form holds up, he’ll take beating.
Race 7 – 2:50pm – Moet & Chandon Handicap, (1400m)
This is yet another competitive race that has been slated for Sydney on Saturday, but I think that Surf Dancer will enjoy wholesale improvement from his Australian debut a couple of weeks ago, and can convert his first Australian win.
The former Brit races well around some high-quality gallopers last prep, winning the Listed King Charles at York most notably.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run and can fight out the finish.
Race 8 – 3:30pm – Precise Air Handicap, (1000m)
Miss Dior returned a lovely effort to finish second in a similar race here when resuming a fortnight ago, and she can go one better on Saturday afternoon.
The Brazen Beau mare has been a great horse since making her debut, and recorded three wins in succession in November and December last year, most notably.
This looks to be about her grade and with appropriate luck from gate 3, she can win.
Race 9 – 4:10pm – Fujitsu General Handicap, (1100m)
Spaceboy only just missed when racing down the Flemington straight first-up, and I think he’ll relish a return to the Sydney way of going on Saturday.
The Deep Field gelding was a typically strong and consistent performer last time, and found form around some above-average gallopers in decent metropolitan races.
He’ll get some relief in the weights under an apprentice this week and if he finds the lead early, I think he’ll be tough to run down.
Race 10 – 4:50pm – ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap, (1300m)
I’m going to give Kordia another chance to win the last at Randwick on Saturday.
He hasn’t shown his best in two starts back from a spell this time, but her did return an improved effort to finish fifth in BM88 company here a fortnight ago.
This is probably the weakest race that he has contested this time, and under James McDonald, I think he has genuine claims.