Sydney racing selections: Randwick tips for Saturday, July 31

This week just keeps getting better! Gold after gold in the water at Tokyo, and a dry track and sunny day at Randwick for the first time in forever.

With that in mind, the rail is way, way out so it may be best to have a look to see if it favours on-pacers in the first part of the card.

I like the day. There is some good, even racing. Hopefully the momentum can continue from last week’s small profit.

Dixie’s 2021 tally
Outlay: 311 units
Return: 406.80 units
Stats are based on one unit being equal to a $1 win bet, New South Wales dividends. See the comments for any changes based on scratchings or track condition.

Sydney racing selections

Race 1 – 9 Skedaddle (one unit)
9. Skedaddle is short enough, but looks the improver here having only had three races (for two wins). She’s won at 1300 metres and should be in the gun spot. Brock Ryan is riding winners for fun too. It is pretty tight after that. I marked 7. Tamerlane and 8. Selburose as value options.

No bet in the Highway this week.

Race 3 – 4 Bring the Ransom (one unit)
The dry track should help 4. Bring The Ransom, with three of her five wins being on good ground. Back in mares grade after running behind Criminal Code is a tick. 2. La Chevalee is a deserved favourite, winning well at the trip last time. A win by 10. My Demetra wouldn’t surprise, while 7. Margie Bee has been doing well at midweek level from in front and is up to Saturday class.

Race 4 – 8 Bethencourt (one unit)
The Mark Waugh part-owned 8. Bethencourt goes on top in the distance race for the lads. The improving track might be the difference here, he’s been close behind some good ones recently. 5. Mr Gee has come back well after not running the trip in the Queensland Derby, this is very winnable for him. I’m off 4. O’Mudgee after being sucked in once too often, while 9. Savvy Legend might be another to improve on the better going.

No bet in the Midway, boy oh boy.

Race 6 – 11 Wairere Falls (one unit)
I found it hard to split 11. Wairere Falls and 2. Canasta, ended up with Wairere sticking at 1500 metres. Canasta had a go at 1800 and drops back, he’ll be at his best on the dry track and give them something to chase. 7. Nyami is next, while 3. Dick Whittington is superbly named and you know by now I love an import over the odds in their first go here. He won a trial to boot.

Race 7 – 7 Vitesse (one unit)
7. Vitesse is in career-best form, she’s a gun at 1400 metres and, while versatile, prefers it hard. She’s drawn well and if there’s any bias, she’ll exploit it. 2. Surf Dancer was good in his first run here and should go well. 3. Mr Tipla is another to watch coming north from Melbourne. I have downgraded 4 and 5. They might need some give in the track.

Race 8 – 12 Brazenpine (one unit)
Today’s speculator, 12. Brazenpine, should improve second-up. This horse reverts back to her best trip (1000 metres), and gets lovely weight relief. I had 9. Sixgun and 10. Duchess next.

Race 9 – 4 Perigord (one unit)
Good old 4. Perigord seems to have been missed by the market again after doing the business for us last time. He steps up in grade here but his dry stats are fine and he’s great value. 1. Spaceboy rates very well in this grade with Ellen Hennessy’s weight claim. 8. Hulk is generally around the mark. I am definitely putting 10. Broken Arrows in quaddies and everything carrying no weight.

Race 10 – 9 Charretera (one unit)
I have 9. Charretera right in this on dry going. He’s going solidly enough but really gets his chance here. The draw isn’t ideal. I am hoping wide is fine late in the day or Sherry can tuck in. I have a Triple Crown trifecta (caller’s nightmare), with 8. Ranges rating well and 5. Snitzify a big chance.

Good luck everyone. Apparently it’s perfect weather to be trackside, but we’ll have to live with a split screen of the Olympics and the ponies. Not a bad outcome!

Please keep me posted on your thoughts across the even card and around Australia.