I’m concentrating my efforts at Randwick on Saturday and am confident of turning a profit.
SPARKY LAD (Randwick Race 1 No 6)
Chris Waller’s Smart Missile gelding has always shown plenty of potential and he put it altogether at his third career start when a well-backed winner at Warwick Farm (1400m). Stablemate Kaonic finished third on that occasion and has since produced an impressive win at the midweeks so there is a formline developing out of the race. Sparky Lad maps to enjoy a charmed run just in behind a solid tempo which should be set by Cabeirian, Molten and French Tune. If he takes any improvement out of that last start win – he is clearly the one to beat again.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.80 @Sportsbet ($5.50 PowerPlay)
INTERLOCUTER (Randwick Race 3 No 3)
When they are this short they need to win and Interlocuter should be winning. A good type that had his first two starts in Europe before coming to Australia. Has officially never finished outside of the top two at his four starts although lost the race on protest when resuming at Rosehill. Heavily backed there on the back of strong trial form, it was a line-ball decision and it went against him. The only upside to that result is he only got penalised 1.5kg instead of the usual 2.5kg or 3kg. He’s had a quiet trial between runs, is sure to strip fitter, should relish the Randwick track and there appears less depth to this field than the one he ‘beat’ last time. Good thing.
BET: WIN
ODDS – $2.40 @ William Hill ($2.65 PricePump)
SCHEDULE (Randwick Race 4 No 3)
Mudgee-based trainer Mack Griffith knows how to place his horses and Schedule looks perfectly placed to win this Class 3 Highway Handicap. Struck bother in the straight when fourth over 1400m here first-up behind My Tagoson then tackled the Dubbo Cup when a fighting third beaten less than a half-a-length. Comes back to Class 3 grade now, the mile third-up is ideal and with enough pace up front, Kerrin McEvoy should be able to drift back and keep this lightly raced six-year-old out of trouble. If he gets clear air turning for home – they won’t be able to hold him out.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.60 @ Sportsbet ($5.30 PowerPlay)
DIXIE BLOSSOMS (Randwick Race 8 No 2)
Dixie Blossoms loves Randwick and loves the mile – so this race suits her perfectly. Thrown in here under the set weights and penalties scale – the only runner better suited is stablemate Daysee Doom but she’s drawn 14 of 14. A soft draw for Dixie Blossoms should ensure she enjoys a charmed run behind a solid pace. Won this race comfortably last year and at her only other attempt around this route finished third in the Group I Queen of the Turf Stakes behind Foxplay and Zanbagh. This is her race.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.60 @ CrownBet & Luxbet
PIRACY (Randwick Race 9 No 10)
An open race to close the program but sometimes sticking with the obvious in these situations is the best way to go. Piracy comes here in winning form, has the right draw, Kerrin McEvoy to pilot and certainly has race fitness on his side. The form around his past three wins is rock solid and on the speed map – he should enjoy the run of the race fourth or fifth tucked in behind a solid tempo. There are plenty resuming which have trialled well and no doubt punters will want to back them – but this one is already up and flying so I am keeping it simple and backing the obvious.
BET: WIN
ODDS $5.50 @ Sportsbet ($6.30 PowerPlay)
