Randwick Super Saturday: Group 1 preview and tips

Super Saturday at Randwick brings about a good mix of Group racing over a variety of distances under both handicap and weight-for-age conditions.

The Epsom is the first and most prestigious of three Group 1 races on the day, but this year has a field with a spread of only 2 kilograms from top to bottom; more of a set-weights and penalties affair than a true handicap.

Winx had more spruiks than wins earlier in her career, but turned herself into a winner over the Brisbane winter, and has now won three on end after resuming with a strong victory in the Theo Marks.

Her acceleration is what sets her apart and stamps her as a top class animal, but in this she’s giving weight to all but one of her rivals when judged against WFA conditions. Four-year-olds have a great record in this race too. The one to beat, but not unbeatable.

Sons of John is the only other horse to come from the Theo Marks. He’s a lightly raced five-year-old that continues to improve, and if he runs up to his last start run, he’s entitled to be in the mix to run a drum.

The George Main is another key form reference, providing four of the 15 runners.

Kirramosa and Lucia Valentina have been settling and finishing next to each other twice so far this season, both making ground late in good races. There shouldn’t be too much between them again.

Sweynesse has been something of a disappointment so far this campaign, and is approaching something of a D-Day after a plain run in the George Main. Hooked won the Tramway first-up, but backed that up by running last next start. He could bounce back.

Entirely Platinum has been super in two Group 1 WFA runs this prep, running placings both times. He split Boban and Stratum Star in the Memsie first up, and we’ve seen the latter frank that form taking out a Group 1 handicap last week.

Entirely Platinum then was just shaded by Fawkner and Rising Romance in the Makybe Diva Stakes, beating home the likes of Alpine Eagle (Turnbull Stakes favourite on Sunday) and Happy Trails.

He’s obviously come back in career-best form, and those WFA runs stack up extremely well against his less-credentialed opponents in this condensed handicap. He’s the obvious and clear danger to Winx.

Entirely Platinum’s stablemate Messene has become something of a non-winner, and perhaps isn’t quite up to this class of race.

Rudy is itching for a win, and finds a set of circumstances here that might well lead to it. He can race handy or get back, and is capable on the wet or dry. He’ll be something in the finish and is a must for multiples.

Sadler’s Lake beat Rudy in the Bill Ritchie last time out, but meets him 4 kilograms worse for it. He’s still untapped, and will get his chance if he’s good enough after box-seating from a nice draw.

Silverball has come to the Epsom after most thought the Metrop would be on his agenda once he impressed in winning the Kingston Town with weight last start. I can’t have him in this race personally, but others may disagree.

Malice and Ecuador ran second and fourth respectively in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle, with not much between them. Ecuador is always tough to get past and will enjoy meeting the other horse 3 kilograms better at the weights, but both are ready for the Randwick mile third-up.

Teronado comes down from Queensland, and we know his usual trick by now – he’ll be finishing hard, but will find a few too good for him.

Pressing comes up from Victoria, and is worth a dollar at 100-1. He’s the sort of horse that could run fourth, so take field there if you’re taking a first four.

There should be a genuine tempo in this Epsom, and every horse will have their chance if good enough.

Selections
1. Entirely Platinum 2. Winx 3. Rudy 4. Kirramosa

The Metropolitan is the chance for the second and third-class stayers to get a Group 1 win on their resumé, and is another race with not much weight between the top and bottom. Every horse in the field comes from one of four lead-up races.

Magic Hurricane heads the market after an excellent second in the Hill Stakes. Dropping back to a handicap from WFA and stepping up in distance are both ideal for him, and he deserves his favouritism.

Beaten Up was probably the best of those behind Magic Hurricane that are running here, but Junoob, Opinion and Chance to Dance could all be improvers up in trip. The latter of those, from the Lloyd Williams camp, might be one to keep an eye on back on the dry, and likely to get a gun run.

Bonfire was also in that race, and is a tough and hardy stayer that often has to carry much more weight than he’s been allotted here. He’s but one chance in a race of many.

Beyond Thankful won the Newcastle Cup last start, his fifth win this campaign. He was five lengths in arrears of Magic Hurricane three starts back, albeit getting 3 kilograms off him this time for it.

Orbec, Disclaimer and Ghost Protocol continue to chase Beyond Thankful home each start, without success. Orbec has the best chance to turn the tables on him at least, but the other two are no-hopers.

Maurus and Havana Cooler are untapped staying talents, despite being five and six years of age, with only 23 starts between them. They both come from the Kingston Town behind Silverball, but need to find a few lengths to win this.

The other key lead-up is the Naturalism in Melbourne, providing Almoonqith and Kapour.

Almoonqith put in a mighty effort after drawing the car park at the unforgiving 2000m Caulfield start. He had to go right back and continued to find the line all the way down the straight, he wins the race if he draws an inside barrier for mine.

Kapour was close up too, having tried to lead all the way after pressing forward from a similar wide gate. He should get an easier time of it here, and certainly has his share of claims.

Selections
1. Almoonqith 2. Magic Hurricane 3. Bonfire 4. Kapour

The Flight Stakes may well be the most cut-and-dried of the Group 1s, with Speak Fondly the superior filly, well treated at level weights against her own age and sex.

She obviously has to run the mile for the first time, which is true of most of the field, but she’s tough, honest and classy enough to do it. Golden Rose form always holds up.

The Tea Rose is the main lead-up for the Flight Stakes, and the first six home there are contesting it.

Pearls and Honesta ran the quinella there, both finishing strongly, suggesting they’ll run the 1600m right out. As such, they’re the two the market expects to challenge the favourite.

You can make little cases for Kimberley Star, Sempre Libera, Perignon and Sofia Rosa, but mainly to run a place. It’s hard to see any of them beating the Tea Rose quinella, let alone Speak Fondly.

Flamboyant Lass, Ocean Tempest and Gone to Paris come from the Reginald Allen, and are backing up into this. It looks like the ‘B’ form, but each of them has claims for the multiples at odds, particularly Ocean Tempest.

Lauren’s Magic is 200-1, but could be five times that without a ticket being written for her.

Selections
1. Speak Fondly 2. Honesta 3. Pearls 4. Ocean Tempest