There's quite a bit of prizemoney flying about this weekend with $250K races for 2-y-o's in both Sydney and Melbourne plus some other Stakes races as well and the G2 Waikato Guineas from N.Z.
However I'm previewing the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes for the 3-y-o's.
However I'm previewing the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes for the 3-y-o's.
Who's Hot?
Hard to believe that James McDonald went two weeks without a winner before last weekend's double at Rosehill but it was no fluke because he followed it up with a treble at Canterbury two days ago.
He has a full book at Randwick tomorrow.
RANDWICK
*** At time of publication the track was rated a Soft 7. The forecast is for a cloudy day with a slight chance of a shower.***
Eskimo Prince Stakes (Group 3, 1200m, 3-y-o set weights plus penalties)
*** There are no early scratchings ***
Pride Of Dubai hasn't been seen since his win (below) in the G1 Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick 10 months ago. That was his second win at the highest level in four career outings following his victory in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at his previous start. He missed the Spring due to injury but he's had a couple of trials in readiness for this first-up tilt. 60.5kg isn't that bad when you consider they all have to lump at least 56kg.
Wolf Cry broke his maiden last start on Magic Millions Day and his previous four starts were pretty good too with 2-y-o form around the likes of Vancouver and Exosphere. Top hoop Blake Shinn stays solid and he's lethal when he combines with Team Snowden. He's a hard one to get a line through because he's coming via a maiden but they've nominated him for the G1 Australian Guineas next month so he's obviously shown them something.
Counterattack ran third (below) at his last start before a spell in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on VRC Derby Day. He resumes here after a 14 week spell but he has performed well fresh in the past including a win at the start of his last campaign in the Listed Heritage Stakes where he came from second last to win by a length and a half. He has two wins and two seconds in five runs here and he should get a lovely trail from barrier two.
Cannyescent was backed off the map when he won first-up against older horses. He is sure to be better for the outing given he was badly held up and the step to 1200m is a plus. He was also luckless in two starts at Stakes level last Spring but still managed to finish on the heels of the placegetters in both the G3 Up & Coming Stakes and the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality. The outside barrier is a problem but at least it should keep him out of traffic.
Tarquin has only had five race starts but has already raced at G1 level twice for a fifth behind Pride Of Dubai in the G1 Sires Produce and a third (below) in a G1 Champagne Stakes. His narrow last start second to Torgersen was good given he went straight to 1400m with a big weight following an eight month spell and was only just nutted. The good gate is a big plus but he's friendless in early betting.
As just mentioned Torgersen beat Tarquin last start and Chris Waller thinks he is a G1 horse and is looking at races like the G1 Randwick Guineas and the G1 Australian Guineas. His first two starts as a 2-y-o were on affected ground and he failed but his last two starts on a wet track (as a 3-y-o) have yielded a win and a second. He's drawn to get a nice run and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he ran into the First Four at massive odds.
Zoutenant was the first horse home behind Exosphere (below) in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes relegating a future G1 winner in Japonisme to third. That was the last time we saw him at the races so it's four months since his last run and he's not a noted fresh performer. He has however been the subject of some support at long odds ($26 into $17) so a bold showing wouldn't shock.
Le Romain has two wins and a second to the exciting Hellbent from his last three starts and he's been the subject of early support in the betting ring. He ran the fastest final 600m of the day (33.86) when winning at Randwick last start on a Heavy 8. The prospect of a wet track is therefore no problem and trainer Kris Lees has said he thinks he'll be better over more ground so going to 1200m is no concern either.
A competitive field and a very tough race.
Counterattack ran third (below) at his last start before a spell in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on VRC Derby Day. He resumes here after a 14 week spell but he has performed well fresh in the past including a win at the start of his last campaign in the Listed Heritage Stakes where he came from second last to win by a length and a half. He has two wins and two seconds in five runs here and he should get a lovely trail from barrier two.
Spill The Beans split two handy types in Counterattack and Hellbent in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes last October before being placed in a 1000m race at Flemington on Cup Day. He's been tuned up for this with an easy barrier trial win last Friday and is also nominated for a BM78 at Warwick Farm next Wednesday but trainer Gerald Ryan has opted for the tougher option.
As just mentioned Torgersen beat Tarquin last start and Chris Waller thinks he is a G1 horse and is looking at races like the G1 Randwick Guineas and the G1 Australian Guineas. His first two starts as a 2-y-o were on affected ground and he failed but his last two starts on a wet track (as a 3-y-o) have yielded a win and a second. He's drawn to get a nice run and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he ran into the First Four at massive odds.
Voilier thrashed Zoutenant on debut and has finished second in a G2 Silver Slipper, a Listed Rosebud, a G2 Up & Coming Stakes and a Listed Carrington Stakes. He's the only horse with more than one run under his belt this time in so he has race fitness on his side and he has taken on older horses at his three starts this time in and has been very competitive. Back to his own age group here.
Shards won the G3 Up & Coming Stakes fresh last prep before finishing second (below) to subsequent G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement in the G2 Stan Fox Stakes two starts later. Four weeks after that he split Jameka and Tarzino in the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day. That is top notch form because they went on to win the G1 VRC Oaks and G1 VRC Derby respectively at their next runs. Wide draw no help.
A competitive field and a very tough race.
Locky's Selections
BEST
3. Counterattack
DANGER
1. Pride Of Dubai
FOR EXOTICS
11. Cannyescent
2. Tarquin
5. Torgersen
4. Shards
OTHER BETS
Allergic (Randwick Race 1 No. 6) smacked them like a redheaded stepchild last weekend and I see no reason why he can't win again here on the seven day back-up. These Sydney stayers seem to around every fortnight and raffle the winner's prize. Third (below) behind Delicacy and Werther in a G1 SA Derby. Fourth placed Magicool would go on to tackle the G1 Queensland Derby at his next start and cobalt in.
Signoff (Caulfield Race 2 No. 1) was off the scene for eight months with a tendon injury but he wasted no time returning to the winner's circle with a barnstorming first-up win in the Listed Lord Stakes on Boxing Day. He has to lump a big weight here but he's earned it because the last time he got out to this trip (below) he won the G3 Lexus Stakes on VRC Derby Day. He followed that four days later with a fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup. Classy.
Hasselhoof (Randwick Race 6 No. 4) is a Kiwi horse I have been following with interest for some time and I'm glad he's finally made it to our shores. He's unbeaten in six starts and his three wins at the mile have been by a combined margin of almost 15 lengths. Wily trainer Donna Logan doesn't bring many across the ditch but when she does they usually measure up - think Rising Romance and Volkstok'n'barrell.
Golden Spin (Caulfield Race 8 No. 7) is unbeaten in three runs at 1200m. Two of those were at Caulfield. Granted the wide barrier is an obstacle but in a race with few who will press forward I can see him getting into a nice position handy to the lead. He's rock hard fit whereas many of his rivals are first-up and have bigger targets in mind. He opened at $6 with some operators but you won't get anywhere near that now.
3. Counterattack
DANGER
1. Pride Of Dubai
FOR EXOTICS
11. Cannyescent
2. Tarquin
5. Torgersen
4. Shards
OTHER BETS
Signoff (Caulfield Race 2 No. 1) was off the scene for eight months with a tendon injury but he wasted no time returning to the winner's circle with a barnstorming first-up win in the Listed Lord Stakes on Boxing Day. He has to lump a big weight here but he's earned it because the last time he got out to this trip (below) he won the G3 Lexus Stakes on VRC Derby Day. He followed that four days later with a fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup. Classy.
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| The Hoff |
Golden Spin (Caulfield Race 8 No. 7) is unbeaten in three runs at 1200m. Two of those were at Caulfield. Granted the wide barrier is an obstacle but in a race with few who will press forward I can see him getting into a nice position handy to the lead. He's rock hard fit whereas many of his rivals are first-up and have bigger targets in mind. He opened at $6 with some operators but you won't get anywhere near that now.
Good punting!
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