A star-studded line-up is assembled for Randwick this Saturday, highlighted by a crack bunch of three-year-olds in the $600,000 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), which is set for a 3.30pm (AEDT) jump.
It was hard not to be impressed by the first-up performance of Sweynesse in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), settling off the speed and making up good ground late, looking the winner, only to be pipped right on the peg by Hallowed Crown.
There is so much upside left with this horse, the stable is absolutely flying and the horse was most impressive when winning second-up last time in.
Shooting To Win was confidently backed to win the Hobartville and could not have been ridden better by Blake Shinn, getting the dream sit on the back of the speed, peeling at the right time and looking the winner 300m out, but his fitness just gave way late and eventually ran a close up fourth. He should come on big time from that run and looks the obvious threat.
Looking for a roughie? One horse that did catch the eye in the Hobartville was Sworn To Silence, who made up good ground near the inside, which wasn’t the place to be that afternoon. He will be better over further, but the way he ran in the Hobartville suggests he could finish fourth here with normal luck.
Selections
Sweynesse (5) clearly on top, ahead of Shooting To Win (3), Hallowed Crown (1) and Sworn To Silence (8).
The other Group 1 on the card goes 40 minutes later – the $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
At value, I’m putting Leebaz on top. He had a very light Spring with only two runs. He should have bolted in first-up on Caulfield Cup Day in the Moonga Stakes (1400m), then went to the Emirates Stakes (1600m) and fought on hard for fourth to Hucklebuck. His trial last Friday at Warwick Farm behind Terravista was sharp enough and he has an excellent fresh record. Really keen on his chances here at odds, though it should be noted he is nominated for Sunday at Canberra.
With the fitness edge and possible give in the ground, Catkins has to go in as a serious chance. I am convinced she is not the same horse she was 12 months ago, but she is still winning, which speaks volumes of how courageous she truly is. She shouldn’t be too far away, and considering the field she is up against here, if she is ever going to win a Group 1, this is it.
Hooked returns to racing after an excellent Spring, which saw him run a brave third in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) before winning the Crystal Mile (1600m) and then running a strong fifth to Hucklebuck in the Emirates. Two trials leading up to this have been sharp, and his work on Tuesday morning, from all reports, would have made stablemate First Seal proud.
Selections
Leebaz (6) at value, over Catkins (8), Hooked (5) and Cosmic Endeavour (9).
The $300,000 Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), due to go at 1.00pm Sydney time, could well challenge the Guineas as the race of the day.
I’ve been loyal to Vancouver, and I see no reason to jump off him. I was very impressed by the win of his in the Canonbury (1100m) at Rosehill a few weeks back, sprinting brilliantly from last in a slowly run race to overhaul his rivals and jump straight to near the top in Golden Slipper betting. He has since trialled here, and like the star he is won by a space under no real pressure. One thing in his favour ahead of Headwater is the fact he doesn’t mind getting down and dirty to win a race. Headwater is yet to taste real race pressure.
Headwater looks the obvious threat. He was outstanding in winning the Silver Slipper (1100m), even though he was gifted the lead on a platter and turned it into a barrier trial. Not convinced he beat much there, but the manner in which he did it was most impressive. He is the current Slipper favourite, and he will need to produce his absolute best to maintain that title.
Expecting a big run from Furnaces. He needed the run first-up in the Lonhro Plate (1100m) here behind stablemate Haptic. He has since been to the trials last Friday at Warwick Farm and he looked very sharp there, beating home Paceman, who’d be lucky to win a Taree maiden based on his trial effort. But Furnaces looks back on track for the Slipper and should take some beating here.
Selections
Vancouver (3) to take back Slipper favouritism, ahead of Headwater (2), Furnaces (5) and Voilier (4).
They are going to like next weeks pay at 4.50pm in the $400,000 Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m). I am sticking with the class and that clearly lies with Famous Seamus. He was outstanding in the Spring, winning the Premiere Stakes (1200m) before he arguably should have won the Manikato Stakes (1200m) behind Lankan Rupee before a game sixth to Terravista in the Darley Classic (1200m). Recent trial at Hawkesbury was good, he runs very well fresh, and draws outside four speed demons, so he should get the lovely drop.
Knoydart is the big query. He is a legitimate Group 1 performer who hasn’t raced since a luckless run in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), where he got stuck four wide no cover. He has been given plenty of time, and has looked quite sharp in a couple of barrier trials. Great first-up record and will be aided by a hot tempo.
The hot speed should also suit Villa Verde, who trialled nicely recently behind Hooked, who goes around in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) as a serious contender. Villa Verde didn’t come up during the Spring, but the trial was encouraging, and she did win this race last year, beating home Snitzerland, Famous Seamus and Buffering to name a few.
Selections
Famous Seamus (1) to win, ahead of Knoydart (3), Villa Verde (6) and Mossfun (10).
In other races on the program:
. English will win the Reisling and stamp herself as a serious Slipper contender.
. My Sabeel can bounce back in the Wenona Girl.
. Pajaro has worked really this week and can bounce back in the Randwick City Stakes.
. Telepathic looks so well in at the weights in the Aspiration.
. Class should see Kuro get home in Fireball.
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