Randwick hosts the $10 million Golden Eagle. The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail in the true position for the entire circuit, which should give a fair surface. Runners in the middle lanes of the straight should be well placed. Perisher was scratched from Race 5 on race morning.
This preview starts from Race 3, as the first two races had already been run when prices were captured.
Our best bet is Sheza Alibi in the Golden Eagle. She is short, but she is clearly the best horse in the race. Barrengarry in the Sydney Gold Cup is our other strong play.
Race 3 - Mostyncopper Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Ruination Current odds: $3.00
Ruination is deeper into his preparation and has won at Canterbury this campaign. He maps to race on or near the speed. A soft eighth here last start is easy to forgive back in this grade. Mawjood resumes after an 18-week break but has trialled well. Lightning Glory had three metro wins from four runs last preparation and wears a tongue tie for the first time.
Selections:
- Ruination - $3.00
- Mawjood - $8.00
- Lightning Glory - $8.50
- Fiddlers Green - $17.00
Race 4 - Four Pillars Midway (1500m)
Selection: Alabama State Current odds: $6.50
Alabama State won strongly at Rosehill last start and gets in light here with a 3kg claim. He has also drawn barrier 1. That combination should give him a soft run in a big field. Dusty Bay won at Eagle Farm last start and has won twice this campaign. Stand My Ground was saved for this race and has trialled well, but a wide draw makes him an each-way play. Cuban Cigar is the other one to include.
Selections:
- Alabama State - $6.50
- Dusty Bay - $5.50
- Cuban Cigar - $9.00
- Stand My Ground - $10.00
Race 5 - ALM On-Premise Handicap (2000m)
Selection: Cavalry Current odds: $3.90
Cavalry was narrowly beaten as a well-backed runner at Warwick Farm last start. He draws inside and gets a weight drop, and the scratching of Perisher has opened up the race. Columbus has won twice this campaign and races without blinkers here. Koolibah ran second first up and should improve. Think Itz You is chasing a third straight win and should race on the speed.
Selections:
- Cavalry - $3.90
- Columbus - $2.50
- Koolibah - $3.70
- Think Itz You - $5.50
Race 6 - E Security Group Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Regal Problem Current odds: $4.00
Regal Problem has won twice from four runs this campaign at metro level. She looks well suited to a track that should play fairly. Chix won first up at Kensington and will go forward. Beside The Ocean is the value runner. She has been running well without luck, gets a weight drop and wears a tongue tie for the first time. Metallic Cat gets Tim Clark aboard.
Selections:
- Regal Problem - $4.00
- Chix - $4.60
- Metallic Cat - $6.00
- Beside The Ocean - $8.00
Race 7 - Russell Balding Stakes (1300m)
Selection: Headwall Current odds: $4.40
Headwall raced closer to the speed than usual in The Everest and still finished his race strongly. He has drawn inside here and should land close to the lead, which makes him the one to beat at 1300m. Jimmysstar won this race last year, but a wide draw is a worry second up. Headley Grange has an outstanding Randwick record and is the each-way value. Ninja was checked in The Everest and is suited to 1300m.
Selections:
- Headwall - $4.40
- Jimmysstar - $4.00
- Ninja - $4.80
- Headley Grange - $9.50
Race 8 - Golden Eagle (1500m)
Selection: Sheza Alibi Current odds: $1.65
Sheza Alibi is a multiple Group 1 winner, including the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile, and has two wins at Randwick. She has placed at all three starts this campaign. The 1500m suits, she gets the mares’ allowance, and she handles some cut in the track. The price is short, but she is our standout. Beiwacht should lead and control the race, so he is the danger if they let him go. Autumn Boy is racing as well as ever, and Skyhook is better suited back up to 1500m.
Selections:
- Sheza Alibi - $1.65
- Beiwacht - $7.50
- Autumn Boy - $13.00
- Skyhook - $13.00
Race 9 - Sydney Gold Cup (2000m)
Selection: Barrengarry Current odds: $3.90
Barrengarry has won twice and placed in every other run this campaign. He was unlucky last start and still finished strongly. His draw should let him race on the speed in a small field with little tempo, and that is the key to the race. Anthracite has won his last two and could lead if left alone. Starzintheireyes gets a weight swing but would prefer a softer track.
Selections:
- Barrengarry - $3.90
- Anthracite - $4.40
- Starzintheireyes - $3.70
- Travolta - $15.00
Race 10 - Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Sylph Current odds: $3.80
Sylph placed first up at metro level and drops in grade here. She should settle back and finish strongly on a three-wide line. Whatalegacy was brilliant first up and has had a month between runs to freshen. Somerton Smart won first up at Tamworth and will suit a fast pace. Where’Stheprofit is unbeaten at the trip.
Selections:
- Sylph - $3.80
- Whatalegacy - $3.60
- Somerton Smart - $4.60
- Where’Stheprofit - $7.50
