Group 1 racing returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday and the Winx Stakes headlines an outstanding ten-race program.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 11:20AM – Highway Class 2 Handicap, (1100m)
I’m confident that Baby Wong will run a big race in this week’s Highway Handicap.
The Press Statement colt has been the stable star for Scone-based horseman Stephen Jones since debuting, and he raced well in black type company in Queensland during his two-year-old season.
He enters this race off the back of a credible third in an 1100m handicap here last month and there doesn’t look to be as much depth in this.
Race 2 – 11:55PM – Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy, (2400m)
Master Shuhood only just missed at this track and distance last time, and he looks well placed to go one better on Winx Stakes Day.
The Tamayuz gelding has improved noticeably for each start back this time, and I don’t think that there is any doubt that he is at his best over a mile and a half.
He’s rock-hard fit, Nash jumps into the saddle, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 3 – 12:30pm – Midway Handicap, (1600m)
This shapes as one of the more open contests on the program and at publish, we’re faced with $6 the field.
Given that many of these horses are stepping up from the midweeks, I’m confident that a runner like Majella has claims on winning at a nice price ($11 at publish).
Majella needed her first run back when she failed to quicken and finished fifth on the Kensington course, but she charged in to score a comfortable win in BM72 company at Newcastle last time.
Fitter third-up and from the good draw, I’m happy to have something on each way.
Race 4 – 1:10pm – SAJC Trophy, (1600m)
I’m happy to stick with Loveplanet when he steps out in the fourth on Winx Stakes Day.
Loveplanet hasn’t run a bad race since debuting, and returned this time for a lovely win at Sandown before filling the minors of a better race here in Sydney last time.
Fitter third-up, getting out to a mile and from an inside draw, I think he’ll take plenty of beating.
Race 5 – 1:45pm – Gow Gates Handicap, (1200m)
This is another wide-open affair with several winning chances engaged, including Nags To Riches.
Nags To Riches has missed placing only once in three starts back this time, winning twice, including an eye-catching effort in BM72 company when returning from a freshen-up.
I’m confident that run will have brought her right back on and at around the $8 mark, we can have an each-way play.
Race 6 – 2:15pm – Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes, (1200m)
This is set to be an outstanding edition of the Silver Shadow Stakes and some of the country’s best three-year-old fillies are engaged.
Four Moves Ahead was nothing short of outstanding during her debut prep and this looks a lovely launchpad for her.
The Snitzel filly won each of her first two starts, including the Group 2 Sweet Embrace, and she went to the paddock after running fourth in both the Golden Slipper and the Inglis Sires’.
I’m mindful that Four Moves Ahead loved a wet track in autumn, so I’m going to have a saver on Swift Witness.
Swift Witness was similarly impressive during her two-year-old campaign, and she raced particularly well on debut and when returning from a freshen-up.
Race 7 – 3:05pm – Group 3 Show County Quality, (1200m)
This is a strong edition of the Show County Quality, and while he didn’t come up as well last time, I’m a big fan of Rock.
Rock owned one of the performances of the spring last year when he gave his rivals windburn in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle, and his fresh performances are generally good.
He’ll need some luck in running after drawing the outside barrier, but he should relish the conditions of this race fresh, and I think that he is a touch of overs at around the $9 mark.
Race 8 – 3:45pm – Group 1 Winx Stakes, (1400m)
The Winx Stakes has drawn a typically outstanding field of gallopers, but I think that the champion mare Verry Elleegant will take a power of beating.
The Zed mare returns to the races with eight Group 1 titles to her name, and she added both the Chipping Norton and the Ranvet Stakes to her mantle in the autumn.
She races well fresh, won this race first-up last year and James McDonald rides from the ideal barrier 5.
Race 9 – 4:25pm – Group 3 Toy Show Quality, (1100m)
She has won five races and finished second in her only two other starts since debuting, but I am going to take on Kiwi mare Entriviere in the Toy Show Quality.
Seasons hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but she is a mare who typically races well fresh, and she finished a close second behind Vulpine in the Wenona Girl Quality when resuming in autumn.
This has been about her level throughout her career and given that she has trialled well in the lead-up to her return, I think that the $21 available for her at publish is silly.
Race 10 – 5:00pm – Darwin Turf Club Trophy, (1400m)
This certainly isn’t the easiest way to end Winx Stakes Day from a betting perspective and we’re up with $5.50 the field at publish.
That being said, I think that Big Boy Roy can run a race at around the $8 mark.
He has been a consistent performer in similar races to this one throughout his career, and I thought that there was a lot to like about his resuming effort for second behind Frosty Rocks here last month.
Given that horse has since franked the form by winning again, I think that this bloke can go one better this week.