Not too bad last weekend with Mourinho ($9.00 win / $2.50 place) successful and I found Shamal Wind ($11.40 win / $3.70 place) among my top four in what was (as I predicted) a wide open affair with the first three horses all at double figure odds.
The "Who's hot?" segment also identified James McDonald who had three winners and a third from six rides.
Looking ahead we have three Group 1's tomorrow with a small but select fields in both the Randwick Guineas and the Canterbury Stakes (Sydney) and a much more wide open affair in the Australian Guineas (Melbourne).
 |
| Mourinho winning the G2 Peter Young Stakes last weekend |
The "Who's hot?" segment also identified James McDonald who had three winners and a third from six rides.
Looking ahead we have three Group 1's tomorrow with a small but select fields in both the Randwick Guineas and the Canterbury Stakes (Sydney) and a much more wide open affair in the Australian Guineas (Melbourne).
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Lee and Shannon Hope don't bring a lot of horses to town but when they do their strike rate is lethal. They've had just the eight runners over the last six Saturday metro meetings but they have come away with four wins, a second and a third. The father/son combo is showing no signs of slowing down either with a winning double at Benalla mid-week.
They have just the one runner at Flemington tomorrow - Madam Gangster (Race 6 No. 8).
Randwick
*** As of 4pm this afternoon the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast is for a partly cloudy day. ***
Randwick Guineas (Group 1, 1600m, 3-y-o set weights)
Current market
*** Scissor Kick and Kermadec are early scratchings ***
"The Scriptures" say - Sweynesse: In 2006 this race switched to 1600m. Since then seven out of nine winners returned $7 or less. Four of the last five winners came via the G2 Hobartville Stakes and none finished worse than fourth. Only one favourite has won in the last six years.
"The Speed Map" says - Don't know who leads here. A lot of backmarkers. Hallowed Crown showed last start he can jump well and be close in the run. Shooting To Win was also a lot closer in that race. Preferment, Sweynesse, Rhodin Drive and Sworn To Silence to get back.
Hallowed Crown won the G1 Golden Rose (below) second-up last prep and he was impressive winning the G2 Hobartville Stakes last start when he was disappointed for a run at the top of the straight. He seemed to have a bit in reserve when they hit the line too and many of his rivals on that occasion meet him here again. It's his first go at the 1600m but he gives every indication he'll run out a strong mile.
Sweynesse was second behind Hallowed Crown last start in the G2 Hobartville Stakes and he will only improve as the distances get longer. He actually looked like he was going to blouse them all until Hallowed Crown sneaked up on the inside in the shadows of the post. Second-up last campaign he won the G3 Spring Stakes over this trip. The lack of any real speed in this race could play against him however as he does like to get back in his races.
Shooting To Win won the G1 Caulfield Guineas (below) at this trip last Spring and he looked the winner first-up in the G2 Hobartville Stakes but just peaked on his run in the concluding stages. Granted he took a few runs to come to hand last time in but he looked very forward fresh and the stable wouldn't want him to put in any bad runs now given he is such a valuable stallion proposition.
With these three dominating the betting it is no surprise to see it's $15+ about the rest. Sworn To Silence caught the eye last start when he made up many lengths in the straight. Preferment will appreciate the step up in distance and can improve second-up but this still looks well below his ideal distance.
Locky's Selections
"The Speed Map" says - Don't know who leads here. A lot of backmarkers. Hallowed Crown showed last start he can jump well and be close in the run. Shooting To Win was also a lot closer in that race. Preferment, Sweynesse, Rhodin Drive and Sworn To Silence to get back.
Hallowed Crown won the G1 Golden Rose (below) second-up last prep and he was impressive winning the G2 Hobartville Stakes last start when he was disappointed for a run at the top of the straight. He seemed to have a bit in reserve when they hit the line too and many of his rivals on that occasion meet him here again. It's his first go at the 1600m but he gives every indication he'll run out a strong mile.
Sweynesse was second behind Hallowed Crown last start in the G2 Hobartville Stakes and he will only improve as the distances get longer. He actually looked like he was going to blouse them all until Hallowed Crown sneaked up on the inside in the shadows of the post. Second-up last campaign he won the G3 Spring Stakes over this trip. The lack of any real speed in this race could play against him however as he does like to get back in his races.
Shooting To Win won the G1 Caulfield Guineas (below) at this trip last Spring and he looked the winner first-up in the G2 Hobartville Stakes but just peaked on his run in the concluding stages. Granted he took a few runs to come to hand last time in but he looked very forward fresh and the stable wouldn't want him to put in any bad runs now given he is such a valuable stallion proposition.
5 Sweynesse
3 Shooting To Win
1 Hallowed Crown
8 Sworn To Silence
Current market
*** Fontelina is an early scratching ***
3 Shooting To Win
1 Hallowed Crown
8 Sworn To Silence
Canterbury Stakes (Group 1, 1300m, w-f-a)
Current market
*** Fontelina is an early scratching ***
Catkins will start favourite because she just keeps winning and only one winner of this race in the last 18 years (Shogun Lodge in 2001 at $21) has paid more than $5.50. 11 of them started top pick. Tiger Tees has five wins and two seconds from nine fresh appearances. He lumped 59.5kg first-up to win the G3 Auries Star Handicap at Flemington last August and in all likelihood he will get an easy lead here. Sacred Falls ran a cracking race first-up in this event last year (below) and it was a much stronger race. Cosmic Endeavour is talented but she'd need to lift on her last two performances and I can't believe how ridiculously short she has come up in the market.
Locky's Selections
8 Catkins
3 Tiger Tees
1 Sacred Falls
9 Cosmic Endeavour
3 Tiger Tees
1 Sacred Falls
9 Cosmic Endeavour
Other bets
Mihiri (Randwick Race 3 No. 11) was third behind Catkins in the G2 Breeders Classic last start beaten a tick under two and a half lengths. Prior to that she easily accounted for her rivals over this course and distance. Her racing pattern and good barrier should see her get an easy run. She hasn't finished outside the top three since June last year. Opened $4.00.
Danesiri (Randwick Race 5 No. 2) is a mare in form and followers of this blog know I love that. First-up she flew into second place from well back off a slow pace and last start she gave nothing else a chance with a similar sweeping run from mid-field. She gets up in the weights here but the stable is in good nick. Opened $6.00.
Don't forget to add a comment, vote in the poll or sign up for e-mail notifications at the top of the page if you've enjoyed what you've read!
No comments:
Post a Comment