G2 Chelmsford Stakes Day - 05.09.2015

There are two words that people use far too freely for my liking. One is the word champion. The other is the word legend.

I have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever using them when reflecting on the stellar career of Bart Cummings.

The racing community does indeed mourn a true champion and a legend. My thoughts are with all your family and friends. You will be sadly missed.

R.I.P. mate. I hope one day many years from now I get a chance to catch up for a chat on that great racetrack in the sky.

Bart holds aloft his 12th and final Melbourne Cup following Viewed's victory in 2008.

Who's hot?

We'll follow on the Cummings theme because Bart's last 10 runners (in partnership with grandson James) won three races and placed in three more. That included a metro Sydney winner last weekend (Sultry Feeling) from just the one runner and a double the following day at Wyong.

James assumed the mantle as head trainer for the first time on Wednesday and he bagged a double at Canterbury. 

He has two runners in Sydney tomorrow - Ruling Dynasty (Randwick Race 2 No. 6) and Precedence (Randwick Race 6 No. 11) plus a couple of runners at Newcastle that are given strong chances.

RANDWICK

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Heavy 9. The forecast is for a partly cloudy day with the slight chance of a shower. ***

The green dot is Randwick. The good news is that since 9am today there has been no more rain.

Chelmsford Stakes (Group 2, 1600m, w-f-a)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

Hartnell is first-up and when produced fresh last prep (below) he was a half length second to stablemate Contributer in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes. You could make an argument that had the barriers been reversed so would have been the result. He's adept on wet tracks so he won't be bothered by any rain and he's never missed a top two finish in four attempts at 1600m. The stable enjoyed a Black Type double at Rosehill last weekend. Four wins on soft tracks.

Kermadec won the G1 Doncaster Mile (below) at this track and distance back in April at his only run on an affected surface so if the heavens open he should be fine too. It was a dominant win but he did get in with just 51kg and Royal Descent meets him 4.5kg better off here. I've got a feeling his Grand Final is the G1 Epsom Handicap in four weeks time and he could still win but the barrier, his racing pattern and what looks to be a muddling tempo are against him.

Royal Descent broke her long winless drought (below) in the G2 Warwick Stakes last start and she's super consistent at the Randwick mile. Despite no wins in six attempts she has five seconds - the G1 Doncaster Mile (2014), G1 Epsom Handicap, G2 Chelmsord Stakes and the last two G1 George Main Stakes plus a third (above) in the G1 Doncaster Mile (2015). Trainer Chris Waller has had 12 Sydney metro winners in five meetings since the start of the new season. Hugh Bowman ride four winners last weekend. Handles wet ground.

Pornichet looked the winner last start (above) but just couldn't sprint as quickly as Royal Descent. Second run last campaign he finished fifth in a pretty average G2 Ajax Stakes but he was a lot sharper first-up this prep. Going on last start they'll probably press forward from the awkward barrier and should get there easily enough given the lack of speed in the race. Finished fifth behind Kermadec in the aforementioned G1 Doncaster Mile beaten three lengths. Rain no concern.

If you like anything else you're going to get $15+. Of the rest Beaten Up really caught the eye in that same G2 Warwick Stakes and he did run second to Hawkspur in this race two years ago. He's drawn to get a lovely rails run too. It's Somewhat (1E) was in the same race and was disappointing on face value after being well fancied in the market. Hawkspur has won the last two renewals of this race but they are his only two victories since June 2013 (27:2-0-3). Three wins and five placings on affected tracks. I'm Imposing probably the best of the rest.

Locky's Selections

16. Royal Descent

1. Hartnell

2. Pornichet
4. Beaten Up

MOONEE VALLEY

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast is for a cloudy day with the slight chance of a shower in the morning. ***

Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes (Group 2, 1600m, w-f-a)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

I'll only take a quick look at this race because we have an odds-on favourite and the race does look to have a very long tail. Contributer had his first look at the circuit when he sailed through a track gallop on Tuesday morning in good fashion. He's the one best suited by the w-f-a conditions and drew a great barrier. The class act of the field but the question is do you want to step in at the skinny odds? The Cleaner (three from three at the MV 1600m) and Mourinho ran the quinella in this race last year (below) and have a combined record of nine wins and five placings at this track from 18 starts. They also ran the quinella last start (albeit in a different order) in the G2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes three weeks ago. Both will strip fitter for the run. Foreteller was third in this race last year and his only other two runs at Moonee Valley produced top five finishes in the last two G1 Cox Plates. His first-up effort in the G2 Warwick Stakes (which can be seen further above) was a sound return. Dibayani probably the next best on his last start effort but he hasn't won for 27 months.

Locky's Selections

5. The Cleaner

4. Contributer

3. Mourinho
1. Foreteller

OTHER BETS

Import

The United States (Moonee Valley Race 4 No.4) won narrowly last start but it was an impressive victory. He got back in the early stages, got shuffled back further as they bunched approaching the turn and then was forced to switch across heels but when he got balanced his finishing burst was devastating. His only other run at the track was this time last year and he finished third to Mourinho.

On The Up

Fell Swoop (Moonee Valley Race 6 No.9) is one I've been following as loyal readers will very well know. I see no reason to jump off the bandwagon. Eight starts for six wins (and it should be seven) and the form around him is holding up. Gets in on the minimum weight and Damien Oliver takes the ride. There's a lot to like about this bloke and I think he could develop into a nice horse. First start in Melbourne is my only concern but they also accepted at Randwick and scratched him to run here.

Fell Swoop bolts in two starts ago beating Inz'n'out who has since won twice by big margins

Comeback Trail

Teronado (Doomben Race 7 No. 5) resumed at Doomben a fortnight ago after nearly a year on the sidelines injured. It was a pleasing return in a race well short of his best distance and don't be surprised if he takes a lot of improvement from that and jumps out of the ground here. Four second up runs for two wins, a second and a fifth behind Hucklebuck in the G3 C.S. Hayes Stakes at Flemington. Two wins here at Doomben including one at this trip and he won on this day last year.