Randwick-Kensington will host seven races on Wednesday, August 18th.
The rail will be set out five metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 1:25PM – Precise Air Handicap, (1250m)
Yearning hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but this is a decent drop in class and she can break her maiden.
The Snitzel filly finish second on debut behind Ashema and went to the paddock after finishing fifth in the Group 3 Percy Sykes.
She has had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return and this looks a nice launchpad for her.
Race 2 – 2:00PM – Vinery Stud Handicap, (1250m)
Greater Harlem is another resuming galloper with claims on winning at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
He too has made just two appearances at the races so far, but Greater Harlem showed ability during his debut prep, finishing second at Warwick Farm on debut and sixth in a better race at Rosehill Gardens in May.
Each of his two trials in the lead-up to this return have been good and he’s further boosted by the booking of James McDonald.
Race 3 – 2:35pm – Heineken Handicap, (1250m)
Super Effort has returned two eye-catching efforts since resuming and looks the one to beat again in the third at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The Reward For Effort gelding bolted in at Newcastle when fresh and was last seen finishing second behind a fit Fastconi in a better race on the main track here at Randwick.
Fitter third-up and dropping back to the midweeks, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 4 – 3:10pm – Bowermans Commercial Furniture Handicap, (1250m)
Hyannis Port was scratched from a similar race last week and I think that she is a genuine each-way chance in this contest.
The Redoute’s Choice mare has been a model of consistency for the Ryan & Alexiou stable throughout her career, and there was a lot to like about her resuming effort for fifth in BM78 company at Rosehill Gardens.
With improvement and even luck, something like this looks well within her means.
Race 5 – 3:45pm – The Agency Real Estate Handicap, (1800m)
I love the decision to drop Bazooka back to a midweek race this week and he is my best bet on the program.
The David Payne-trained gelding has been a consistent performer in Saturday races throughout his career, but he doesn’t win out of turn.
He enters this contest off the back of four-consecutive placings, all in stronger company than he strikes here.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run under Jason Collett and I’m keen to have a decent crack.
Race 6 – 4:20pm – Buy @ Irish Sales Online Handicap, (1550m)
This is one of the stronger races on the program and a horse like Fantastic Baby looks to have claims on winning at a price.
Fantastic Baby ran home well to score in BM68 company at Newcastle two starts back and he was far from disgraced when seventh, beaten only two lengths by Casino Mondial at Rosehill last month.
I like that he is a few weeks between runs, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 7 – 4:55pm – Territories @ Darley Handicap, (1100m)
Miss Dior is ready to win when she contests the final race at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The Brazen Beau mare ran home well to finish second behind a fit Our Bellagio Miss at Randwick when resuming and kept all of her best work for late when fourth, beaten only a length at Randwick last time.
Fitter third-up and launching from the good gate, this looks a lovely race for her.