The 2019 Winx Stakes headlines a big day of racing at Randwick this Saturday and that means that the Spring Racing Carnival is just around the corner!
There are only ten horses in the Winx Stakes field where Avilius heads the market.
Highway Class 2 Plate (1100m) – 12:05PM
This week’s Highway race has drawn a wide-open and capacity field of country sprinters and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field. These races are always a bit of a dartboard and there isn’t anything that I am particularly keen on here, so I’m happy to wait for Race 2.
Recommended Bet: No Bet
City Tattersalls Club Handicap (1600m) – 12:40PM
Adana clearly needed the run when he finished towards the tail of the field over 1400m at Rosehill first-up, but he is a horse that typically enjoys good second-up improvement and strikes a winnable one on Saturday. The Snitzel gelding didn’t show his best form during a Melbourne campaign in autumn, but he performances at the Sydney way of going last year were excellent and I am happy to take him in this company.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Adana – Bet Now!
Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) – 1:15PM
True Detective has returned two excellent efforts this time and is ready to win third-up in the Up And Coming Stakes. The Chris Waller-trained colt is clearly an above-average galloper and won on debut in February; finishing second in each of his two starts this time. This is a harder race, but the conditions look ideal and he has the notable advantage of James McDonald in the saddle.
Athiri will take good improvement into her second campaign target and looks a touch of overs at her current price ($7.50 at publish). The Godolphin filly was a strong and consistent performer throughout autumn and on class alone, can fight out the finish of this.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units True Detective – Bet Now!
Recommended Bet: 1 Unit E/W Athiri – Bet Now!
Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) – 1:50PM
A pretty typical field of stayers has accepted for the fourth, but it does look like Our Candidate’s race to lose. The British import has enjoyed a glittering start to life in Australia and has won two of his three most recent starts, including a decent BM78 race over a mile and a half at Rosehill in late July. He’s drawn to find a good position in transit and will be steered by Brenton Avdulla.
Recommended Bet: 3 Units Our Candidate – Bet Now!
Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) – 2:25PM
Tenley is yet to taste anything but success first-up and looks a nice chance in the Silver Shadow Stakes, at a nice price ($5 at publish). The daughter of Medaglia D’oro broke her maiden on debut and resumed in autumn for consecutive black type wins. She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to this race and could receive the run of the race from barrier 5. I’m keen to take on odds-on favourite Libertini and Tenley looks the one to do it.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Tenley – Bet Now!
Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) – 3:05PM
Deprive has returned to racing in strong and consistent form this time and looks beautifully placed for a bit of black type in the 2019 Show County Quality. The Godolphin-trained gelding was excellent through winter and was last seen winning the Listed June Stakes over 1100m here in early June. He’s been freshened and is my best bet of the day after drawing the rails.
Recommended Bet: 4 Units Deprive – Bet Now!
Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) – 3:45PM
For the first time in four years it won’t be won by its namesake, but the field for this year’s Winx Stakes is outstanding and if this is any indication, we’re set for an exciting season of Group 1 racing.
Avilius will undoubtedly improve for the run and as he gets out in trip, but he has a class edge over most of the Winx Stakes field and is up to winning. The Pivotal gelding has outstanding fresh form and won four of his five starts last time in, two at the highest level. Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride and with even luck, will be tough to hold out.
Invincible Gem is one of only two runners that isn’t first-up in this race and that could prove the difference. The Kris Lees-trained mare enjoyed a strong autumn prep and ran Alizee to a half-head, first-up. With natural improvement, the $11 on offer at publish could prove to be big overs.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Avilius – Bet Now!
Recommended Bet: 1 Unit E/W Invincible Gem – Bet Now!
Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) – 4:25PM
Mizzy will resume in the Toy Show Quality and looks tough to beat. The Anthony Cummings-trained mare was a strong and consistent performer last time in and hit the line well to finish fourth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic most notably. She gets in well at the weights, is drawn ideally and can launch her spring prep with a win.
Recommended Bet: 2 Units Mizzy – Bet Now!
Kogaroo Handicap (1400m) – 5:05PM
Roheryn is a clear favourite in betting to win the last and could cap a monstrous Winx Stakes Day for Godolphin. The Lonhro gelding won two of three starts during his debut prep and resumed three weeks ago for an easy win at this track and distance. He’ll only improve here and with even luck, can send us home a winner.
Recommended Bet: 3 Units Roheryn – Bet Now!