Randwick has ten races on Saturday, the same day as the Cox Plate in Melbourne. The feature is the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes for three-year-olds over 2000m, and the Group 2 Craven Plate and The Invitation are also on the card. The track was a Good 4 when fields came out.
Some runners have a second acceptance this week. Peleus (Race 3) is also entered at Gosford on Thursday, and Jacaranda (Race 4) and Evaporate (Race 9) are both also entered at Flemington. Check scratchings on the morning.
Bluish Hue in Race 2 is our most confident bet. Proxima Dea in the Spring Champion is the value play, and Estadio Mestalla is a solid way to finish the day.
Race 1 - Arrowfield Kirkham Plate (1000m)
Selection: Royal Accord Current odds: $4.40
This is a two-year-old race with mostly debutants, so the market will tell us more than the form. Royal Accord is the Hawkes stable’s first starter by Home Affairs and is near the top of the betting. Macho, by Ole Kirk, is the Freedman stable runner and has similar claims. Tour De Force is a Chris Waller first starter from barrier 1 and is worth including. Anamosa, by Anamoe, is the Snowden runner. Keep stakes small and watch the betting.
Selections:
- Royal Accord - $4.40
- Macho - $4.60
- Tour De Force - $8.50
- Anamosa - $7.00
Race 2 - TAB Highway Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Bluish Hue Current odds: $2.70
Bluish Hue won well at Rosehill last start and has placed in all four runs this preparation. Nash Rawiller rides, and he has a good barrier. This is our strongest bet at Randwick. Olympian is the main danger. He won second up at Muswellbrook before a close third at Newcastle, and his stable is in form. Ocean Tsunami was fifth at Rosehill and can improve. Fair Master is a long shot who has won twice this campaign.
Selections:
- Bluish Hue - $2.70
- Olympian - $5.00
- Ocean Tsunami - $3.50
- Fair Master - $26.00
Race 3 - Midway Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Lawless Lucy Current odds: $5.00
This is an even handicap, and we take Lawless Lucy, who won first up at Newcastle. Better Late ran fourth at Rosehill and has the speed to lead or sit close. Maidoff has won his last two at Illawarra and is chasing a third. Monte Veebee drops in weight after a fourth at Rosehill. Peleus is in the field, but he may run at Gosford on Thursday instead. This race is a lower-confidence bet.
Selections:
- Lawless Lucy - $5.00
- Better Late - $6.50
- Maidoff - $6.00
- Monte Veebee - $10.00
Race 4 - ALM On-Premise Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m)
Selection: Punxsutawney Phil Current odds: $4.20
Punxsutawney Phil is unbeaten in three starts and won his last race at Randwick by a length. He is rising in class, but he keeps finding more, and $4.20 is fair value. Ciaron’s Star ran a strong second at Rosehill and has trialled well since, so he is the main danger. Crescent King is the favourite after two straight wins, at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Revolina won her only start at Hawkesbury and draws barrier 1.
Selections:
- Punxsutawney Phil - $4.20
- Ciaron’s Star - $3.00
- Crescent King - $2.70
- Revolina - $9.50
Race 5 - MyPlates Callander-Presnell Stakes (1600m)
Selection: Why So Hard Current odds: $2.70
Why So Hard has won or placed in both starts. He ran a good third at Rosehill first up at a big price and should improve with that run behind him. He drops in class and steps up to 1600m. Omolong has won both starts as the favourite and is the main danger. Central Europe ran on for fourth at Caulfield. Lafite has won once and placed in every other run this campaign.
Selections:
- Why So Hard - $2.70
- Omolong - $6.50
- Central Europe - $4.00
- Lafite - $6.50
Race 6 - Asahi Super Dry Craven Plate (1800m)
Selection: Eliyass Current odds: $7.50
Eliyass has won more than once at Randwick and has been improving, finishing a good third at Rosehill last start. He can race on the pace, and at $7.50 he is our each-way bet. Lindermann is the favourite after just missing at Rosehill and is the obvious danger. Tom Kitten placed here on a soft track and would like rain. Vivy Air backs up quickly after a third here.
Selections:
- Eliyass - $7.50
- Lindermann - $2.25
- Tom Kitten - $3.50
- Vivy Air - $8.50
Race 7 - Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)
Selection: Proxima Dea Current odds: $5.00
Proxima Dea has won all four of her starts. Her last win was a strong finish at Rosehill. She has to step up to 2000m and Group 1 company, but she keeps winning, and $5.00 is good value. Global Goal is the favourite. He won well here last time on a soft track and has placed in every start this campaign, so he is the main danger. Wonka has won twice and placed in his other runs at metro level and is the roughie. Scarole was narrowly beaten at Rosehill.
Selections:
- Proxima Dea - $5.00
- Global Goal - $2.90
- Scarole - $7.00
- Wonka - $12.00
Race 8 - The Invitation (1400m)
Selection: Gerringong Current odds: $4.00
Gerringong won first up at Rosehill, and her stable has her in form. She has to carry more weight, but she can still win at $4.00. Lazzura also won last start at Rosehill and is the favourite with Tommy Berry riding, so this is close between the two of them. Idle Flyer drops in grade after a bad run here and can bounce back. Verona Rose has placed twice this preparation and trialled since.
Selections:
- Gerringong - $4.00
- Lazzura - $3.20
- Idle Flyer - $7.50
- Verona Rose - $7.50
Race 9 - Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m)
Selection: Linebacker Current odds: $3.60
Linebacker ran on for third at Rosehill and draws barrier 1, so he should get a good run. He carries more weight but looks the most reliable runner. Declichy Boulevard is the favourite and is building fitness this preparation. Welcometotheshow has won at Flemington and ran well at Caulfield last start. Evaporate would be a strong chance if he runs here and not at Flemington.
Selections:
- Linebacker - $3.60
- Declichy Boulevard - $3.40
- Welcometotheshow - $7.00
- Evaporate - $4.20
Race 10 - Robrick Lodge Filante Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Estadio Mestalla Current odds: $2.80
Estadio Mestalla was only just beaten at Rosehill at a long price and now drops in grade. Nash Rawiller is in good form for the stable, and he is a strong bet to finish the day. Anthracite won last start at Rosehill and is best at a mile. Osipenko and Lord Penman both drop in grade, and Lord Penman should get a good run from barrier 1.
Selections:
- Estadio Mestalla - $2.80
- Anthracite - $4.80
- Lord Penman - $10.00
- Osipenko - $10.00
