Sydney’s midweek metro racing is on the Kensington inner track at Randwick on Wednesday, with seven races from 2:20pm (Sydney time). It is a benchmark-heavy card in the middle of the spring carnival, and James McDonald has a strong book of rides across the day, which is worth keeping in mind when the market forms. Prices below were taken on Tuesday evening and will move.
Punxsutawney Phil in Race 2 is our headline bet. Alabama Fox in Race 3 and Scenic Point in the last are the other runners we rate most.
Race 1 - Catanach’s Jewellers Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Klocke Current odds: $4.20
Klocke was second at Newcastle last start and has shown enough early in his career to win a maiden like this. James McDonald riding is a big plus. Love Story is the clear favourite after leading and only being caught late at Warwick Farm, and she will be the one to run down. Seminal was third at Hawkesbury at her first start and is a decent each-way price. Iommi is backing up quickly after a strong third at Rosehill.
Selections:
- Klocke - $4.20
- Love Story - $1.65
- Iommi - $8.00
- Seminal - $19.00
Race 2 - Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m)
Selection: Punxsutawney Phil Current odds: $2.40
Punxsutawney Phil is two from two this preparation and won by two and a half lengths at Illawarra last time. He is going up in class, but he has done everything right so far and he is our best bet of the day. Sphere was fifth here last time but has drawn well and should be fitter. Chappy won on a heavy track in New Zealand last time and is first up for a new trainer. Our Huntress is a roughie for a new stable with enough speed to be on the pace.
Selections:
- Punxsutawney Phil - $2.40
- Sphere - $10.00
- Chappy - $13.00
- Our Huntress - $34.00
Race 3 - Myracehorse Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Alabama Fox Current odds: $2.40
Alabama Fox was only just beaten at Warwick Farm last start and has drawn the rail, so he should get the run of the race. Maluku won at Warwick Farm last time, has placed at every start this preparation and likes some give in the ground. Beside The Ocean picks up James McDonald after a fifth at Rosehill against stronger horses. Superfabulistic resumes off a two-length win on a heavy track and will be handy.
Selections:
- Alabama Fox - $2.40
- Maluku - $5.00
- Beside The Ocean - $5.00
- Superfabulistic - $5.50
Race 4 - Hyland Race Colours Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Botanical Boy Current odds: $3.90
Botanical Boy won easily at Warwick Farm last start and gets the inside draw for the longest race of the day. Standard Deviation is the favourite after a fourth at Canterbury and gets James McDonald, so he is the main danger. Leica Storm was fifth at Warwick Farm but has early speed and Zac Lloyd riding for Matthew Smith. Furious was well beaten at Rosehill but drops in class and suits an each-way bet.
Selections:
- Botanical Boy - $3.90
- Standard Deviation - $3.20
- Leica Storm - $3.60
- Furious - $10.00
Race 5 - Ranvet Benchmark 78 Handicap (1250m)
Selection: Man Of Worth Current odds: $4.40
Man Of Worth has been off for 18 weeks, but he won first up at Canterbury last preparation so the break should not worry him. James McDonald rides again. Lightning Glory also won first up last preparation at Newcastle, leading all the way. Scillato was eighth at Warwick Farm but has a good gate and should improve. Who But Roo was fifth at Rosehill and is a long shot for the places.
Selections:
- Man Of Worth - $4.40
- Lightning Glory - $4.20
- Scillato - $4.20
- Who But Roo - $23.00
Race 6 - Exceedance @ Vinery Stud Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: True To Form Current odds: $3.70
True To Form has a good first-up record and ran second at Doomben last start. He carries more weight but has McDonald aboard. Felix Majestic is the favourite after a third at Warwick Farm and should be on the pace. Octa De Lago was fourth at Warwick Farm and has a good draw to finish off from. Associate is a big price but was second first up last time and drops in distance.
Selections:
- True To Form - $3.70
- Felix Majestic - $3.10
- Octa De Lago - $3.80
- Associate - $31.00
Race 7 - TAB Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m)
Selection: Scenic Point Current odds: $2.70
Scenic Point was fifth at Randwick last start in a stronger race and drops in class here. He should be handy early and is hard to get past when he is in front. Shotgun Bella won first up last preparation and is the main danger. Blitzgal has McDonald but needs to cross from a wide gate, so she is more an each-way chance. Found The Gold was third at Canterbury and is consistent.
Selections:
- Scenic Point - $2.70
- Shotgun Bella - $6.00
- Blitzgal - $6.00
- Found The Gold - $9.00
