Finally a dry week in Sydney and the Randwick track has been improving every day.
That's just what the doctor ordered for a fabulous day of four G1's with the highlight of course being Winx chasing win number 17 in a row.
That's just what the doctor ordered for a fabulous day of four G1's with the highlight of course being Winx chasing win number 17 in a row.
Who's Hot?
Peter and Paul Snowden had a Stakes double last weekend courtesy of Acatour in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes and Invader in the G1 Sires Produce Stakes.
Tomorrow at Randwick they saddle up Coulthard (Race 1 No. 4), Red Hearts (Race 2 No. 11), Defcon (Race 5 No. 3) and Extensible (Race 9 No. 13) and three runners in the last.
RANDWICK
*** At time of publication the track was rated a Heavy 8. The forecast was for a partly cloudy day. ***
The Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Group 1, 1600m, 3-y-o and up fillies and mares w-f-a)
Current Sportsbet market
*** Alaskan Rose is an early scratching ***
This race went to G1 status in 2005 so let's look at the stats from those 12 runnings.
Only two winners returned more than $10 in the period but they were two of the last three and eight of the 12 favourites won. 10 of the winners finished top three at their last start and eight were 4-y-o's. Only one jumped from outside barrier eight.
Silent Sedition took on the big boys last start and proved too good in the G1 William Reid Stakes. Prior to that she fought out a thrilling three way finish (below) in the G1 Coolmore Classic when she split Heavens Above and Danish Twist. It was a good effort considering she was forced to do a bit of work. She's only missed a placing once in 16 career starts and has 12 top two finishes. She is super honest and consistent.
Dixie Blossoms just cannot draw a barrier and it's probably cost her victory in a couple of starts this campaign. She charged home from a mile back in the G2 Emancipation Stakes last start in a race where the on pacers dominated. Forget her previous run (above) in the G1 Coolmore Classic when she was luckless. She's never missed a place at Randwick in four appearances.
Heavens Above has two wins and two placings from six goes at the Randwick mile and was only a length and a half off Hauraki when seventh in the G1 Epsom Handicap last October at this track and trip. In her last start win (above) in the G1 Coolmore Classic she came from behind Silent Sedition and Danish Twist and she meets them a halk kilo better off here. She was second in this race last year (below) behind the very talented Azkadellia.
Foxplay drops back from the 2000m of the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes it's a tactic trainer Chris Waller has used in big G1 miles in the past - think Rangirangdoo, Sacred Falls and He's Your Man. As a 3-y-o she gets weight relief from the older mares and jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won two of the last four editions of this race. Her win two runs back in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes was enormous given she didn't see daylight until the final furlong.
Zanbagh comes off a narrow victory in the G2 Emacipation Stakes and two of the last three winners came via that race. She's adept on heavy going but she was comprehensively beaten by Heavens Above here two starts back and meets her 2kg worse off. She's winless here at Randwick in seven starts but has managed three second placings. Fifth in this race (above) last year but she was beaten a long way. Shocking barrier.
Only two winners returned more than $10 in the period but they were two of the last three and eight of the 12 favourites won. 10 of the winners finished top three at their last start and eight were 4-y-o's. Only one jumped from outside barrier eight.
Silent Sedition took on the big boys last start and proved too good in the G1 William Reid Stakes. Prior to that she fought out a thrilling three way finish (below) in the G1 Coolmore Classic when she split Heavens Above and Danish Twist. It was a good effort considering she was forced to do a bit of work. She's only missed a placing once in 16 career starts and has 12 top two finishes. She is super honest and consistent.
Dixie Blossoms just cannot draw a barrier and it's probably cost her victory in a couple of starts this campaign. She charged home from a mile back in the G2 Emancipation Stakes last start in a race where the on pacers dominated. Forget her previous run (above) in the G1 Coolmore Classic when she was luckless. She's never missed a place at Randwick in four appearances.
Heavens Above has two wins and two placings from six goes at the Randwick mile and was only a length and a half off Hauraki when seventh in the G1 Epsom Handicap last October at this track and trip. In her last start win (above) in the G1 Coolmore Classic she came from behind Silent Sedition and Danish Twist and she meets them a halk kilo better off here. She was second in this race last year (below) behind the very talented Azkadellia.
Danish Twist has to come into calculations given she finished alongside Heavens Above and Silent Sedition two starts back (above) in the aforementioned G1 Coolmore Classic. I can see Hugh Bowman getting into a lovely spot from barrier two. I'm forgetting her last run because she was 1500m back to 1200m and she was left with too much to do when the all the way winner got a ridiculously soft lead.
Foxplay drops back from the 2000m of the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes it's a tactic trainer Chris Waller has used in big G1 miles in the past - think Rangirangdoo, Sacred Falls and He's Your Man. As a 3-y-o she gets weight relief from the older mares and jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won two of the last four editions of this race. Her win two runs back in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes was enormous given she didn't see daylight until the final furlong.
Zanbagh comes off a narrow victory in the G2 Emacipation Stakes and two of the last three winners came via that race. She's adept on heavy going but she was comprehensively beaten by Heavens Above here two starts back and meets her 2kg worse off. She's winless here at Randwick in seven starts but has managed three second placings. Fifth in this race (above) last year but she was beaten a long way. Shocking barrier.
$15+ the rest.
First Seal has five top two finishes at this track from seven runs including a three length win (below) in the G1 Flight Stakes at this distance beating Winx. That was two and a half years ago though. We all know she's talented on her day and is capable of winning a big race but she is hard to catch with just two wins in the last two years. The wide gate is a worry too.
Oregon's Day belted them last start in the G3 Alexandra Stakes and even Stevie Wonder would have seen her previous run in the G2 Kewney Stakes when she stood in the gates and then stormed home from last on a day when you just couldn't do that at Flemington. They bet as much as $26 but she'll start closer to half that price so she's been absolutely crunched in early markets. She's drawn very wide though.
Pure Pride was good fresh with a huge weight and last start she was another who charged late on that leader biased Flemington track. She's dodged the wet tracks in Sydney so she should be nice and fresh and last Spring (below) she was less than a length off I Am A Star when fifth in the G1 Myer Classic. It was a massive run given she came from last and conceded the winner 7.5kg. Inside barriers were an advantage here last weekend.
Real Love will appreciate dropping back to fillies and mares grade for the first time in three years. Darren Weir has finally broken his years long Sydney maiden and when that happens it's surprising how often the floodgates just burst open. She's drawn well and Brad Rawiller has flown in from Melbourne for just the one ride.
Now for everyone who likes to have $1 place on something at ridiculous odds like my grandmother used to do. The last two times Diamond Made has placed she's been $31 and $41. One of those was at this track in April last year in the G2 Adrian Knox. Abbey Marie beat Silent Sedition in the G1 S.A. Oaks four starts back and was only a length and a half off her two starts back in the G3 Mannerism Stakes. Trainer Mick Kent doesn't venture north of the Murray very often but when he does his strike rate is phenomenal. Elle Lou disappointed last start at her first go beyond the mile but she won her previous two and her wet track form is outstanding. She loves Randwick (7:3-1-2) and is drawn to get a good run.
Locky's Selections
First Seal has five top two finishes at this track from seven runs including a three length win (below) in the G1 Flight Stakes at this distance beating Winx. That was two and a half years ago though. We all know she's talented on her day and is capable of winning a big race but she is hard to catch with just two wins in the last two years. The wide gate is a worry too.
Oregon's Day belted them last start in the G3 Alexandra Stakes and even Stevie Wonder would have seen her previous run in the G2 Kewney Stakes when she stood in the gates and then stormed home from last on a day when you just couldn't do that at Flemington. They bet as much as $26 but she'll start closer to half that price so she's been absolutely crunched in early markets. She's drawn very wide though.
Pure Pride was good fresh with a huge weight and last start she was another who charged late on that leader biased Flemington track. She's dodged the wet tracks in Sydney so she should be nice and fresh and last Spring (below) she was less than a length off I Am A Star when fifth in the G1 Myer Classic. It was a massive run given she came from last and conceded the winner 7.5kg. Inside barriers were an advantage here last weekend.
Real Love will appreciate dropping back to fillies and mares grade for the first time in three years. Darren Weir has finally broken his years long Sydney maiden and when that happens it's surprising how often the floodgates just burst open. She's drawn well and Brad Rawiller has flown in from Melbourne for just the one ride.
BEST
3. Heavens Above
DANGER
1. Silent Sedition
14. Pure Pride
7. Danish Twist
12. Abbey Marie
17. Foxplay
OTHER G1'S
Bonneval (Randwick Race 6 No. 3) has strung together three Black Type wins in N.Z. culminating in a last start victory (below) in the G1 N.Z. Oaks. It's the path Sofia Rosa took last year and the 3-y-o Kiwi staying form is red hot at the moment. She's unbeaten since getting to 2000m+, she's out of a Zabeel mare and she was strong through the line last start. She looks a nice staying prospect.
On a place basis only I'm tipping Harlem (Randwick Race 7 No. 6) because I'm not going to be a mug and tip you Winx at $1.10. I thought this French import ran a great race last start at his first Australian run when third to Palentino and Tosen Stardom in the G2 Blamey Stakes. That was at a mile and all his best form is at 2000m-2400m so the rise in trip appeals to me.
Penglai Pavilion (Randwick Race 8 No. 10) has me worried because Charlie Appleby and Kerrin McEvoy have combined just five times this season but have notched four wins (G3 Lexus Stakes, G3 Geelong Cup, G3 Bendigo Cup and Listed Sandown Cup) and a second (G1 Caulfield Cup). This bloke has a light weight, good draw, he's a two time winner on heavy and has won up to 4200m. He's the fresh legs on the scene whereas most of his opponents have been slogging it out on bog tracks.
Good punting!
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