The Civic Stakes is the feature event at Randwick this Saturday on a monster ten-race program! Can anyone stop Waihaha Falls in the main event of the day after several ominous performances this campaign? Despite the cool weather, winter racing has never looked so hot!
Randwick Race 7
#4 Super Strike
Super Strike looks ready to explode third-up from a spell. The Super Easy gelding savaged the line fresh, and he was luckless in transit at his latest outing. The 1800m looks advantageous, and he should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation. The Benchmark 88 level won’t hold any fears for the rising seven-year-old, and I expect him to figure in the finish with even luck. His winning record is the primary concern.
After a last-start win at Warwick Farm, King Of The Castle will have supporters. He broke nearly every clock on course with his sizzling late sectionals, and he looks dangerous jumping from barrier four on Saturday. The step out in distance plays into his favour, and he deserves his shot at this level. This is his biggest acid test to date.
Alcyone can run a drum at a reasonable price. His best form reads expectational well for this event, and he has shown glimpses of his past form earlier this campaign. From barrier fifteen, the Teofilo gelding can slide back and find some cover midfield, and if the leaders spend their pennies early, he could gobble up his rivals late. He needs to recapture his mojo!
Suggested Bet: Super Strike @ $7.00
Randwick RACE 8
#12 Waihaha Falls
Waihaha Falls will start favourite in the feature event of the day. The Sacred Falls gelding has been racing well this preparation without winning, and he looks well placed here, meeting easier opposition. His recent barrier trial will have him cherry ripe for Saturday, and the allocated weight puts him into all winning conversations. Barrier sixteen is his biggest obstacle.
Cisco Bay looks dangerous, jumping from an inside barrier. The So You Think gelding was an impressive last-start winner at Randwick, and he is more than capable of producing another victory in this company. His record over the trip is near faultless, and he races well on all surfaces. The rising nine-year-old is defying father time!
Cotehele can run well despite jumping from the carpark. The Tavistock gelding snatched victory last start at Rosehill, and he has trialled impressively since. The 1400m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and if he can find the lead uncontested, he may prove hard to run down. His fate may be sealed during the first furlong.
Suggested Bet: Waihaha Falls @ $4.80
Randwick Race 9
#2 Iowna Merc
Iowna Merc is one of the better bets on the program. The Winning Rupert gelding is building the picket fence next to his name, and he can continue on his winning ways Saturday, meeting similar opposition. The drop back to his favourite distance is advantageous, and the 3kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference. If his rivals allow him to dictate throughout, it could be curtains a long way from home.
Astero looks over the odds after a consistent campaign. The Zoustar gelding savaged the line at Doomben at his latest outing, and a recent barrier trial will have him cherry ripe leading into this event. The rising six-year-old will give his rivals a fair start, and if the leaders use too much petrol during the early stages, he can figure in the finish—the 1100m may be a tad short for the big boy.
Comonic can run a big race at cricket score odds. The Nicconi gelding has been winning in easier provincial events, and he deserves his chance to claim a Saturday Metropolitan victory. His record at the distance must be respected, and if he has even luck in transit, he can make his presence felt late. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Iowna Merc @ $3.00
Randwick Race 10
#17 Green Shadows
Green Shadows was game in defeat first-up at Randwick. The Menari gelding has since trialled impressively at Rosehill, and he is a winner second-up in a previous campaign. From barrier one, the talented three-year-old can camp on the leader’s back, and if he can see daylight on straightening, I expect him to figure in the finish. His winning record is the primary concern.
Yoshino can bounce back after a flat second-up performance. The Lonhro gelding was brilliant fresh at Randwick, and if he is ridden slightly more conservatively on Saturday, he can have the last say as the winning post approaches. His best form reads well for this event, and the apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations. The wide barrier is his biggest obstacle.
Harrow can run a cheeky race at a hefty price. The former international hasn’t fired a shot since arriving in Australia, and he has become expensive to follow for loyal supporters. The 1400m is advantageous, and he is nearing a peak performance for the preparation. Barrier two will give him every chance to get the ideal tow into the race, and this is his easiest assignment in a very long time. Take on trust!
Suggested Bet: Green Shadows @ $3.00
