Race-by-race preview and tips for Randwick on Saturday

Race 1 - 12:25PM GOW-GATES KIRKHAM PLATE (1000m)

All two-year-olds on debut and there are two that stood out from their trials. Lean to 2. Defensemen, who looked to do it comfortably when he won his only public trial at Rosehill on October 13. Tracked the speed, took the run when presented and edged away late. If he’s that professional on race day, it’ll take him a long way to winning and recouping some of the $1.4 million price tag. 7. Pearl Of Dubai would be worth a bit if she was sold as a yearling, she’s a half-sister to Pride Of Dubai who is the sire of the likes of Dubai Honour, Pride Of Jenni and Bella Nipotina. She’s had two trials and her win last week was sound. Respect. 5. Lord Elrond was given a solid sounding out in his second trial and closed off well at the finish when a narrow second to Green Kirk who also lines up here. He can run well. 4. King Campania is a stablemate to Defensemen and contested the same trial. He was warming up at the finish and is worth keeping safe.
How to play it: Defensemen WIN

Race 2 - 1PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1600m)

1. Christa probably lost her winning chance at the start when she stepped slowly. That put her further back than she’s used to around this sort of trip. Excellent effort by her to run into third, meets similar rivals and, if she can clear the gates this time, is the type who can make her own luck on speed. Go well. 9. Upwardly Mobile has drawn wide and been set a task from the back in two Highway runs of late. Had to snag back and ride for luck when fifth two weeks ago in the same Highway as Christa. Kinder draw this time and happy to keep her safe. 3. Poisen Point is racing well with a Highway win on September 27 then favourite and ran on into second in the Highway two weeks back. Ideally drawn and has to be a main chance. 2. Ghost Walker was runner-up to Poisen Point before coming back in grade and lumping 63.5kg to win at Goulburn last week. A little better off at the weights and is a definite chance.
How to play it: Christa WIN.

Race 3 - 1:35PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200m)

The barrier isn’t as bad as it looks for 10. Oakfield Jupiter, who is first-up since tackling Listed company back in May. She was impressive winning her first two starts at the provincials and liked the way she warmed through the line in her latest trial. She gets the chance to roll forward, there certainly isn’t high speed on paper, and has struck a winnable Midway. Expect a strong showing. 9. Zounaka is back to Midway level after a handy effort under 59kg at Kensington this month, when she settled back and hit the line well. Down in weight, drawn kinder and sure to be competitive. 2. Broadway Bouncer didn’t do a bad job at Port Macquarie second-up, drew the outside and went back and worked home OK. Fitter now, drawn the inside and is more than capable in this class. 4. So Good So Cool was a Midway winner in March and has had two runs back. Not being too hard on his second-up run in a messy race, he will need a bit of luck, but if he strikes form he’s in the placings.
How to play it: Oakfield Jupiter WIN

Race 4 - 2:10PM ROBRICK LODGE FILANTE HANDICAP (1600m)

9. Point And Shoot sets up well to break through, if he can get away with them this time. His run in the Silver Eagle last week was huge. After blowing the start, he had to take off before the turn, and while his run ended he still was in that clump battling for second behind Linebacker. He eventually ran fifth. The key is getting him to the mile, a little like it was with Perfumist, he’s right down in the weights and has the chance to recapture his form from earlier in the year. Nice race for him. The same can be said for 4. Kintyre, it’s a big chance for him to get on the podium. Missed the kick hopelessly first-up and still ran well in the Bill Ritchie. Fair effort in the Weekend Hussler in Melbourne. Needs to get away with them. If he does, he’s a major player. 10. Fortune was a winner over the mile here on September 20, didn’t run up to expectation in the Coonamble Cup after that. Can put himself near the speed and that could be an edge. 1. Victoria Road is the big query runner. He’s first-up for two years and has had four trials in the lead-up. He’s been gelded and gets blinkers on. In a previous life, he was a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner in the USA and his two Australian runs were at group 1 level. A nice race to kick off in, to see where he’s at.
How to play it: Point And Shoot WIN

Race 5 - 2:45PM KIA ORA BRIAN CROWLEY STAKES (1200m)

8. Miss Freelove has come from left field into this listed race but she might have struck it at the right time. Carried 59.5kg and rounded them up from last to win second-up at Warwick Farm against older horses this month. Can’t see 1200m being an issue, she’s drawn well and if that explosive dash can be repeated, she’ll be right in the finish. 1. Memo is a good measuring stick with her group form looking stronger than most here. Unlucky not to win at Moonee Valley second-up, she’s trialled well since then and can certainly win. 2. Grand Eagle didn’t get a fair shot at them at the right time in the Roman Consul two weeks ago and worked home nicely once again. The return to Randwick might be the big plus and he gets another chance. 7. Skyglider is a big watch. He hasn’t raced since leading all the way on debut to beat Sixties and Estremo, which looks pretty good form now. He’s drawn to take up a position again and wouldn’t be discounting him.
How to play it: Miss Freelove WIN

Race 6 - 3:20PM CINCOTTA CHEMIST CRAVEN PLATE (1800m)

1. Lindermann picks himself and looks to get the control that will make him very hard to run down again. Made light work of the wide gate when winning the Hill Stakes two weeks ago and splitting Fangirl and Ceolwulf prior to that is reading quite well when looking at his rivals. You know what you get from him and that’ll be a huge sight. 4. Militarize hit the line when the Hill Stakes was all over as he ran into fifth there. The smaller field might be in his favour, he won’t be giving away so much start and this looks his best chance in some time to put himself in the finish. 3. Kovalica has a similar form line and his run was also excellent, as he just missed third. Doesn’t have the dash of the favourite but sure to run well. 7. El Castello has the chance to run up to his excellent first-up effort as he comes back in grade from tackling the Epsom and King Charles III.
How to play it: Lindermann WIN

Race 7 - 3:55PM CATANACH’S JEWELLERS CALLANDER-PRESNELL (1600m)

Happy to stick with 3. Farnicle who, while beaten as favourite, was brave in the Tapp Craig second-up from a spell after chasing the leader behind a solid tempo. That leader knocked up to run last and was left a sitting shot. This race has been his target, he’ll be peaking third-up and shouldn’t have any excuses from an ideal draw. Big chance to atone. 1. Rivellino comes back in class after contesting the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas. His run in the latter was fine, and you just have to wonder where he’s at. Is he not quite the top class this spring or is he just below his best? We’ll find out here, his best is obviously good enough. 2. Ohope has done a great job this preparation, winning a maiden in August and continuing to improve with each run culminating in his Tapp Craig win from off the speed. Hard to fault and a definite chance. 4. Ruination has had the run at the mile where he was the best of the chasers behind Attica in the Dulcify three weeks ago. That form should hold up and he should run well again.
How to play it: Farnicle WIN.

Race 8 - 4:30PM MOET & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES (2000m)

Luck and smart, or daring, rides are going to decide this race. Lean to 1. Attica, despite a wide gate. He enjoyed a fast tempo as he swept home to win the Dulcify easily over the mile on October 4. Cruised in a tick-over trial since then. It’ll be interesting to see how Adam Hyeronimus approaches this but, if he gets even luck, the horse looks more than good enough to win. 11. Within The Law will need similar favours from the outside gate but brings real group 1 form into this race. Solid in the Flight behind Apocalyptic and wasn’t disgraced at weight-for-age in the King Charles III. Expect she’ll be ridden cold. She can be hard to hold out if they are running on. 2. Shangri La Boy was a runaway winner of the Gloaming after leading throughout at Rosehill two weeks ago. He’ll bounce right on the speed again and that’s his advantage in this race. If he’s getting favours up front, he’ll be hard to run down. 12. Queen Of Clubs can’t be overlooked. She had cardiac arrhythmia in the Flight Stakes, so that run can be overlooked. Previous run showed she was on target to do something and the trip looks up her alley. Each-way.
How to play it: Attica WIN.

Race 9 - 5:15PM THE INVITATION (1400m)

2. Manaal has everything laid out to suit her again after wins in the Sheraco and Golden Pendant against similar opposition. Well suited under set weights and penalties against the majority of this field, she’s drawn to get the same sort of run right at her peak. The horse to beat. 1. Stefi Magnetica is the best horse in the race but she’s coming off a setback since she ran fourth in the Sheraco at her first run back. She’s giving away race fitness and tends to peak third and fourth up in her preps. Have to respect her, though, in a good race for her. 7. Monte Supreme is flying this time in and wins the Nivison in one more stride at Rosehill two weeks ago. First run at 1400m since changing stables and there looks to be a good enough tempo early to bring her into the race. Definite chance. 3. Miss Roumbini is a last-start group 1 placegetter in Melbourne and also had a setback since that race, she was due to run in the Alan Brown but missed it with a minor issue. The form around her is solid, though, and she’s one of the main chances.
How to play it: Manaal WIN

Race 10 - 5:55PM FIVE DIAMONDS PRELUDE (1500m)

5. General Salute is bursting to win and he’ll need a similar good early ride to the one Tim Clark gave him in the Alan Brown. Unfortunately, he ran out of luck in the straight, held in by the winner until it was all over, but he picked up nicely to run into third. He has excellent form around him, chased Autumn Glow home two starts back, and is racing as though the trip won’t worry him. If he gets last call, he’ll be hard to hold out. 8. Rise At Dawn started favourite in the Shannon and led before being outsprinted by Waterford in the run home. Held on nicely for second. There were suggestions he didn’t go fast enough in front, so it’ll be interesting to see if he rolls more here. Has a nice weight turnaround on the favourite, too. Go well. 1. Transatlantic is a last-start group 1 winner of the Toorak Handicap. He’s built a handy record, draws well and while up 3kg on his win he has to be competitive in this field. 3. Encap gets back and runs on when it’s all too late, but ran a nice fourth in the Shannon and only beaten four lengths in the Epsom. A strong tempo would be in his favour and he’s the type that could knock you out.
How to play it: General Salute EACH-WAY.

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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au