Randwick runs a ten-race card on Melbourne Cup Day, headlined by the Big Dance over 1600m. The track was rated a Good 4 in the lead-up. Prices were captured the day before, so check scratchings and any rating change on race morning.
Our best bet is Kerguelen in Race 8. He has strong Randwick form and a draw that should give him the run of the race. Enamorada is short in the last but rates highly first-up, and Graffiti Tycoon in Race 3 is another strong play.
Race 1 - Midway Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Cabbucio Current odds: $3.70
Cabbucio has placed at all three starts this preparation at metro level, has trialled since his last run, and draws barrier two, so he should get a soft run. La Morra won at Kembla Grange last start and should improve again with fitness. Malbork Castle won at Hawkesbury and is the each-way value as he steps back up to city grade. Saint Emilion (Jason Deamer) rounds out the four.
Selections:
- Cabbucio - $3.70
- La Morra - $3.80
- Malbork Castle - $14.00
- Saint Emilion - $13.00
Race 2 - TAB Highway Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Flirtation Current odds: $5.00
Flirtation returns from a 20-week break, but she has made a strong start to her career and was a solid second at Muswellbrook last preparation. She has the early speed to hold a good spot over the 1000m. Angie’s Sister won her last two starts at Dubbo and Wellington, the latest by more than four lengths on a heavy track, so she comes in on top form. Puffin has won three in a row and should lead or sit in the box seat. Big Lon is the roughie after two wins this campaign.
Selections:
- Flirtation - $5.00
- Angie’s Sister - $5.50
- Puffin - $6.50
- Big Lon - $12.00
Race 3 - Alinta Energy Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Graffiti Tycoon Current odds: $3.90
Graffiti Tycoon broke his maiden first-up at Kembla Grange and won strongly. He has improved each time, has the speed to overcome the wide gate, and is a strong win chance. Cruizingthestars won first-up this preparation at metro level and draws the rail, with a useful claim. Good’N’You flashed home for second at Newcastle and is the each-way option. Alabama Showdown has won twice and placed in every other start this campaign.
Selections:
- Graffiti Tycoon - $3.90
- Cruizingthestars - $7.00
- Good’N’You - $12.00
- Alabama Showdown - $23.00
Race 4 - Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Man Of Worth Current odds: $3.10
Man Of Worth placed first-up at Randwick and meets an easier field here. He draws to land a handy spot and is the one to beat. Charleroi won well at Wyong with a good turn of foot and has a soft draw, so he is the danger at a good price. Acheson was just beaten at Canberra and gets a weight drop. Rock Empire won at Randwick earlier this preparation.
Selections:
- Man Of Worth - $3.10
- Charleroi - $9.50
- Acheson - $9.00
- Rock Empire - $4.60
Race 5 - Big Dance (1600m)
Selection: Gringotts Current odds: $3.80
Gringotts comes from a stable that knows how to target these races and looks well placed in this company. Perfumist was a disappointing seventh here last time, but he drops back to a suitable grade, gets weight relief, and was unbeaten in his earlier starts as favourite. Matias ran second at Randwick last time and has the blinkers on for the first time, which could bring improvement. Formal Display won at long odds at Rosehill and should get an easy run from a good draw.
Selections:
- Gringotts - $3.80
- Perfumist - $7.50
- Matias - $14.00
- Formal Display - $7.00
Race 6 - Barn Dance (1300m)
Selection: Warrior For Peace Current odds: $8.50
Warrior For Peace won well first-up at Scone and has won every time he has started as favourite. He has a sharp turn of foot and is our value play in this race. Lord Remlap is the favourite. He has a Randwick win, drops in class, and has the blinkers off. Ishikari won at Bathurst and is in good form. Off The Press has placed at all four starts this preparation, most recently at Doomben.
Selections:
- Warrior For Peace - $8.50
- Lord Remlap - $4.00
- Ishikari - $8.00
- Off The Press - $5.50
Race 7 - Little Dance (1600m)
Selection: Fukubana Current odds: $4.20
Fukubana was narrowly beaten as favourite at Eagle Farm last start and has placed at every start this preparation. From a good draw, he should lead or sit just off the lead, which makes him hard to beat. I’Mintowin won a Hawkesbury trial and gets a weight drop, which explains his place at the top of the market. Estadio Mestalla, from the Joseph Pride stable with Nash Rawiller aboard, always finishes strongly. Zaphod is the long shot.
Selections:
- Fukubana - $4.20
- Estadio Mestalla - $5.50
- I’Mintowin - $3.30
- Zaphod - $23.00
Race 8 - Asahi Super Dry Choisir Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Kerguelen Current odds: $3.10
This is our best bet at Randwick. Kerguelen ran on well for third at Warwick Farm, has strong Randwick form, and draws barrier one, so he can save ground before the turn. In this field he rates the clear top pick. Polyglot has won three times this campaign and finished strongly at Eagle Farm. Wanaruah has excellent Randwick form and won here last start. Accredited resumes after a break and drops back in trip.
Selections:
- Kerguelen - $3.10
- Polyglot - $7.00
- Wanaruah - $3.60
- Accredited - $9.00
Race 9 - Quayclean Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Compensation Current odds: $4.00
Compensation returns from a break with three wins in a row behind him, the latest at Gosford, and he should settle handy. Bruce I Am bolted in at Warwick Farm last start for Joseph Pride and is just as short. Benevac resumes off a second here and has early speed. Crepe Myrtle, another Pride runner, has placed first-up before and is the long-priced option.
Selections:
- Compensation - $4.00
- Bruce I Am - $4.00
- Benevac - $5.00
- Crepe Myrtle - $15.00
Race 10 - The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Enamorada Current odds: $2.30
Enamorada resumes from a 27-week spell, but she won well at Randwick last time and has a strong turn of foot. She is a short price, so we would bet her straight out rather than in multis. Theblade won first-up this preparation and should be on the speed from barrier one, so he is the clear danger. Amazing Eagle drops in grade and has a useful claim. Pride To Follow is in form after his Port Macquarie win.
Selections:
- Enamorada - $2.30
- Theblade - $3.90
- Amazing Eagle - $11.00
- Pride To Follow - $15.00
