The landscape for the big spring races will be shaped even further today with some key runners engaged in two time honoured races in Sydney and Melbourne.
The George Main Stakes at Randwick and Underwood Stakes at Caulfield hold the major focus for most racegoers, whilst the three year old fillies do battle for the second time this season in the Tea Rose (R4 Randwick), and some Caulfield Cup aspirants go around in the Hill Stakes (R5 Randwick) and Naturalism Stakes (R6 Caulfield).
My horses to follow performed admirably last Saturday with five winners and two others beaten a nostril out of the 14 runners listed (excluding Queenslanders). That followed 2/7 the prior week with Angelic Light saluting at long odds in the McEwen Stakes. Only five going around today (including Qlder), but some nice chances amongst them.
George Main Stakes R6 Randwick
Panzer Division looks an outstanding chance with his feather weight providing he maintains his form and gets over from his wide barrier early and gets on the pace. Rising Romance should improve off her fist up run in the Tramway and onto a much firmer track.
Doubtful that 1600m is far enough for her to show her absolute best but she could surprise and Gear changes of lugging bit On first time and Race Plates on first time should be noted. Queenslander Teronado will get very little attention from punters, but his form through Dissident last autumn is very strong, and his last win in Brisbane was probably his best and a sign that he might have come of age. Possibly not a WFA horse but he should relish the mile up the rise at Randwick being the strong finisher that he is.
Underwood Stakes R7 Caulfield
Foreteller looks suited going to 1800m in a decidedly weak rendition of this race. He has the fitness edge on Silent Achiever (see my article New Zealanders targeting Melbourne’s big three) who admittedly does go well second up. There is very little pace in this race which could bring both undone, and decision making by Jockeys could be a major factor in the outcome.
Windsor Park Plate R8 Hastings NZ
Nashville gets his chance to make amends after an unlucky first up run where he failed to get a clear run at a crucial stage in the straight. He should be suited by the extra 200m here and has a good 4-2/9 record at the distance. He has drawn a bit wide but that might actually work in his favour given he drew much better last start. No doubting he has the class to win given he was only beaten 2.5 lengths in the Emirates last spring at Flemington.
Very disappointing that Precious Gem failed to get a run in R5 Caulfield today because she was also in the Blackbook and looked a great chance.
Others worth thought today include Villa Verde in the Shorts (R8 Randwick) who might be better suited back on a right handed track, and a Tongue Tie comes off. Angelic Light did frank the form out of that race by beating Lankan Rupee in the McEwen.
I also quite like I’ve Got The Looks in that race too given a massive drop in weight off a last start win. She has run fast time in the past and has a very nice turn of foot. Lady Sharapova looks a value chance in the Coolmore Tea Rose (R4 Randwick) off a fast finishing effort behind Panzer Division and Shooting To Win (since 3rd Golden Rose) in comparatively fast time. She has won on dry ground and returns to her own sex.
At Doomben Combatant looks a nice chance in R5 given he was badly blocked for a run in the straight, and should have finished a lot closer last time. That race should be a strong one form wise given some Melbourne aspirants ran first and second (Aimee, Lucky Tom).
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