It was a winning day on the punt at Randwick on Saturday but no time for boasting – it's time to analyse where I went right and where I went wrong.
Race 1 - Daily Press Kirkham Plate (1000m)
3rd - Gododdin ($6) - 3.3 lens
Then Followed: Alshahhad ($3.75 fav), Catanzaro ($21), Gorgons ($12), Cyclonite ($81), Tactical Formation ($5), Line Up Girls ($21)
Legislation races away for a smart win in the Kirkham Plate at #Randwick. @SnowdenRacing1 look to have another promising 2YO on their hands! pic.twitter.com/CXJusbdCdr
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: Damian Browne should look at making a permanent move to Sydney if he can reproduce these types of rides – this was copybook. Landed in a gun trailing position aboard the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained son of Not A Single Doubt then cruised-up to the leaders three wide upon straightening. Legislation kicked away with a winning break – the perfect ride. Fiesta is still learning the ropes but has plenty of ability. Wanted to run about in the straight but closed off in 34.23/11.76 secs for the final 600m/200m splits – that was the quickest of the race. The on-pace duo of Line Up Girls and Alshahhad can be forgiven – the fence was a no-go zone. Catanzaro struck some bother in the straight – the son of So You Think might have a future.
Money Trail: The money told the story here. Legislation backed from $13 into $9 in the final 30 minutes of betting whilst Fiesta drifted from $3.50 out to $4.40. Alshahhad was sent out favourite after remaining solid at $3.80.
Blackbooker: Fiesta has been placed at each of her two starts but will be winning races. You may just have to wait six months.
Race 2 - 2ch Benchmark 75 Handicap (1600m)
1st - Kaonic ($3.75 fav)
2nd - Luvaluva ($7.5) - 2.0 lens
3rd - Sambro ($8) - 2.2 lens
Then Followed: Sky Boy ($31), Our Mantra ($4.75), Regent ($7.5), Charlie Chap ($31), The Mighty Fed ($10), Thy Kingdom Come ($11), Red Braids ($31)
Kaonic lets rip with a big run down the outside to win the second event at #Randwick in brilliant fashion! pic.twitter.com/5wpCNxeZGJ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: Kaonic continued to impress with a barnstorming victory – he'll line-up at Flemington in two weeks' time for the Carbine Club. Had everything go right, a solid tempo, clear running and as it turned out – the best part of the track. Luvaluva is likely to have earned a trip to Melbourne for a tilt at the Victorian Oaks after doing her best work late. John Sargent has a knack of producing a handy staying filly at this time of year. Thy Kingdom Come flopped but did pull-up mildly lame.
Money Trail: Kaonic got the wobbles late in betting – drifting from $2.90 to $3.70 – still started favourite. Regent ($9.50 - $7.50), Thy Kingdom Come ($17 - $11) and Luvaluva ($8.50 - $7.50) all met with support.
My Tip: I am a big Kaonic fan and he didn't let me down.
Blackbooker: I am sticking with Kaonic . The mile at Flemington will suit.
Race 3 - Tab Highway Hcp Class 3 Handicap (1100m)
1st - She Knows ($4.5 fav)
2nd - I Am Capitan ($5.5) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Attainment ($13) - 1.7 lens
Then Followed: Highway Sixtysix ($17), Undaoaf ($9), Kashtan ($7.5), Polskie Lady ($10), Malachi Crunch ($17), Larlabrook ($5)
She Knows sits on the speed and kicks clear in the straight to take out the TAB Highway Handicap at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/bbhAoHkJXQ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: She Knows began quickly and kept the leader Polskie Lady honest. Jay Ford didn't hang around, slipping clear topping the rise and that proved a winning move. I Am Capitan rattled home with the blinkers on first time. Attainment loves a soft/heavy track but sticking to the fence wasn't the place to be – his effort was good. Highway Sixtysix closed off strongly at only his second career outing. Larlabrook produced his first poor run and pulled-up lame.
Money Trail: She Knows obviously didn't know about the betting drift – out from $3.10 to $4.40 in the final 30 minutes. I Am Capitan specked from $6.50 into $5.50 whilst Kashtan was backed from $8.50 into $7.50.
Blackbooker: Highway Sixtysix gave away race experience and a start to most of these. He closed off strongly and looks to have untapped potential. Now looking for 1200m or further.
Race 4 - City Tattersalls Club Cup (LR) (2400m)
1st - Destiny's Kiss ($4.5)
2nd - Alward ($2.38 fav) - 0.3 lens
3rd - Admiral Jello ($3.75) - 1.1 lens
Then Followed: Social Element ($5), More Than Aholiday ($51)
Noted wet tracker Destiny's Kiss spots his rivals a start but keeps grinding to win the City Tattersalls Club Cup at #Randwick! pic.twitter.com/sDSAGAStkZ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: Even the most loyal Destiny's Kiss fan was prepared to accept that the 60kg had weighed down the superior wet tracker when hard ridden from the 800m mark, but this 17-start winner doesn't know when to lay down. Alward looked home and hosed upon straightening with only Admiral Jello to challenge, but that pair felt the pinch at 2400m whereas Destiny's Kiss was only getting warmed up. Big win.
Money Trail: Destiny's Kiss had met with plenty of support in the 36 hours prior to the meeting – when the drought broke. In the final 30 minutes he continued to trim-up from $4.80 into $4.60. Social Element was $6 into $5 whilst dry tracker Alward drifted from $2 to $2.40.
Blackbooker: Social Element was thrown into the deep end, was poorly treated at the weights and stuck to the fence (inferior going) in the straight. His effort was brave and he was coming again late. Talented stayer of the future.
Race 5 - Clubsnsw Benchmark 85 Handicap (1400m)
1st - Improvement ($4.25 fav)
2nd - Collateral ($17) - 0.1 lens
3rd - King Darci ($4.75) - 0.4 lens
Then Followed: Dagny ($4.75), Love's A Fantasy ($9), Shazee Lee ($9), Peacock ($4.75)
Improvement just grips on from the fast-finishing Collateral to win the ClubsNSW Handicap at #Randwick in a thrilling finish! pic.twitter.com/aUxbjDA4Dh
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: A positive Lee Magorrian ride made all the difference with Improvement. There didn't look much pressure on paper but with three potential leaders it was going to be a case of who really wanted the front. Magorrian claimed it early and found just enough to hold out 61kg first-upper Collateral. That was a huge return!
Money Trail: Improvement did the right thing for punters. The mare drifted slightly from $3.90 to $4.20. Shazee Lee the only notable drifter, easing from $6 out to $9.
My Tip: King Darci ran his usual honest race but should have gone closer at his pet trip on soft ground. Maybe I went off one run too early.
Blackbooker: Collateral . Enormous run first-up so looks in for a strong campaign.
Race 6 - Sthrn Cross Grp Brian Crowley (LR) (1200m)
1st - Goodfella ($2.25 fav)
2nd - Piracy ($7) - 0.5 lens
3rd - Andaz ($7) - 0.6 lens
Then Followed: Malahat ($7), Albumin ($4.5), Mustafa ($26)
Goodfella gets the better of Piracy to bring up back-to-back wins in the listed Brian Crowley Stakes at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/PcDFk3D5zq
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: Goodfella isn't an easy ride but Jason Collett has managed to win two in a row aboard this Bjorn Baker-trained son of Snitzel through sheer hard work. A shade tardy to being, Collett revs him up early and then doesn't let up. Shunted deep approaching the turn when Albumin improved quickly underneath him, but that only inspired Goodfella to work harder. Piracy fought bravely and Andaz closed off late – but it was Goodfella proving too tough again.
Money Trail: Albumin $5.50 into $4.40 was backed to beat the favourite with Andaz specked from $9 into $7. But Goodfella was always popular $2.30 into $2.25 and got the job done.
My Tip: Albumin enjoyed the right run and looked the winner topping the rise but didn't go on with it. Perhaps the wet track? Perhaps he's not much good.
Blackbooker: That was much better second-up from Andaz . Lightly raced and looks ready to win next time out.
Race 7 - Icd Nivison (G3) (1200m)
1st - White Moss ($4.5 fav)
2nd - Zestful ($31) - 1.3 lens
3rd - Kinshachi ($13) - 1.5 lens
Then Followed: Dixie Blossoms ($4.75), Daysee Doom ($5.5), Heavens Above ($21), Samantha ($21), Siren's Fury ($101), Maternal ($31), Spright ($41), Nancy ($17), Diddums ($4.5)
White Moss takes her record to five wins from eight starts with a dominant performance in the G3 Nivison at #Randwick! pic.twitter.com/bEqqFXGj8R
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: White Moss continues to build on her imposing record. Has now won five of her past six starts and her on pace racing pattern indicates more wins in store. Jason Collett kept the pressure on fellow leader Diddums – she knocked-up badly. Heavens Above was restrained from the outside gate and had too much to do under 59kg. Fastest last 600m at 33.71 secs – her run was much better than it reads in the formguide. Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms weren't sharp enough coming back from 1600m to 1200m.
Money Trail: The market knew Diddums was going to struggle on the soft going. She opened $3.20 favourite but drifted to start at $4.60. White Moss was backed from $5 into $4.40 favourite and never looked in danger.
Blackbooker: Siren's Fury was outclassed and poorly weighted first-up yet closed off gamely (second quickest final 600m at 33.91 secs). An easier race second-up with some pace up front and she'll be a good bet.
Race 8 - Procare Property Pty Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m)
1st - Mortar Platoon ($31)
2nd - Impavido ($3.5 fav) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Hogmanay ($6.5) - 2.0 lens
Then Followed: Screamarr ($17), Mapmaker ($5), Gauguin ($8.5), Wu Gok ($12), Multitude ($21), Great Glen ($31), Zenalicious ($8.5), Be Like Dad ($21)
Mortar Platoon holds off the late challenge of Impavido to claim honours in the eighth event at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/2VEEJMCRue
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: Mortar Platoon scored a sharp win second-up last campaign and repeated the dose this preparation. The 3kg claim and a confident Lee Magorrian ride giving Chris Waller's imported five-year-old a surprise win. Better on good ground, he may be worth sticking with. Impavido was great. Raced well back and always wide – he rattled home and at 35.89 secs was the only runner in this race to break the 36 secs for the final 600m. He's better with the sting out so did enjoy the conditions.
Money Trail: The soft going spooked punters from backing Mortar Platoon – he drifted from $20 to $31. The money came for Impavido $3.80 into $3.60 and Hogmanay $8.50 into $6.50.
My Tip: A $31 winner! You beauty!
Blackbooker: Impavido is right at his top after three runs back from a spell. Looking for 2000m now.
Race 9 - Jem Computer Systems Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m)
1st - My Country ($7.5)
2nd - Crafty Cop ($4.5) - 0.5 lens
3rd - New Universe ($2.38 fav) - 0.9 lens
Then Followed: Petrossian ($31), Ziggy Willie ($11), Sweet Serendipity ($21), Unequivocal ($31), Noble Joey ($9), Astara ($21)
.@SnowdenRacing1 bookend the #Randwick meeting with My Country getting the cash in the last of the day. pic.twitter.com/gx18EYHclb
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2017
Analysis: The speed was set by Sweet Serendipity which was supposed to play into the hands of strong finisher New Universe . But, with only 51.5kg on his back, My Country managed to hit top gear faster than the favourite, arriving in time to score. Crafty Cop was brave but had his chance. Ziggy Willie has every possible chance. New Universe 34.48/11.89 recorded the fastest final splits.
Money Trail: Not much action in the last. New Universe solid enough $2.20 out to $2.35. My Country solid at $7.50. Punters didn't want Sweet Serendipity $13 out to $19 or Petrossian $21 to $31.
Blackbooker: Punters can get square on New Universe . Will benefit from that run and on a firmer track can display his blistering turn of foot. Don't sack him.
