The Listed Winter Stakes is the main attraction this Saturday at Royal Randwick. Can the enigmatic Cotehele claim the feature event after throwing away his chances a fortnight ago in the Civic Stakes? With spring just around the corner, this meeting could play an important form guide moving forward.
Randwick Race 7
#1 Insurrection
Insurrection looks to have this race at his mercy. The Russian Revolution gelding put his rivals to the sword a long way from home last start, and he meets similar opposition on Saturday. The Michael Freedman-trained galloper will roll forward from the wide gate and give the rest of the field something to catch. The 1100m is his pet distance, and the apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. Hard to toss!
So Good So Cool looks over the odds! The Capitalist gelding is racing for a hatrick of victories after a narrow last-start win at Randwick. From barrier five, he can sit closer to the speed, and if the gaps appear on straightening, I expect him to fight out the finish. The class rise is his biggest challenge.
Brudenell has been well supported since markets opened. The Kris Lees stable is firing, and his talented Russian Revolution gelding is building an impressive career record. The form around him stacks up, and he finds a very winnable assignment here. He showed a brilliant turn of foot to score first-up and looks to have plenty of upside. His record at the distance must be respected, and if he can stay out of the early speed battle with the favourite, he can capitalise late.
Suggested Bet: Insurrection @ $2.60
Randwick RACE 8
#11 Cotehele
Cotehele can redeem himself in the feature event of the day. The Tavistock gelding cost himself victory in the Civic Stakes after racing greenly at a crucial stage. He looked the winner on straightening, and his racing manners let him down badly. From barrier six, he will roll forward, and if he can find pole position during the race’s early stages, he may prove hard to run down. He should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and the flood of early money indicates a forward showing. Redemption!
After producing an eye-catching run in the Civic Stakes, Cisco Bay will have supporters. He flew up the rail late and entered most punters’ little black books. His record at the 1400m is exceptional, and he is ready to produce a peak run for the campaign. The So You Think gelding is racing in great spirit, and the rising nine-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. What a great servant!
Barbie’s Fox is too consistent to dismiss. The talented Victorian produced the fastest last 400m and 200m of the meeting at Caulfield at her latest outing, and she looks ready to step up in grade on Saturday. From barrier eight, she will sit midfield with cover, and if she can produce her customary turn of foot late, she can figure in the finish. This is her acid test.
Suggested Bet: Cotehele @ $4.40
Randwick Race 9
#4 Wewillrock
Wewillrock has been knocking on the door since arriving in Australia. The El Roca gelding has been good without winning, and he looks ready to explode after an eye-catching barrier trial. He will appreciate the significant drop in class, and he will meet easier opposition. From a middle gate, Tyler Schiller has options, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to fight out the finish. He needs to beat the handicapper and allocated weight.
Iowna Merc is flying this preparation. The Winning Rupert gelding recorded back-to-back wins at the start of the campaign before narrowly missing out on a hattrick of victories last start. The step out to 1200m is advantageous, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the middle stages, he will make his presence felt late. The apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and I suspect he still has plenty of natural improvement to come. He will always need luck with his pattern of racing.
Spaceboy is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Deep Field gelding will lead the field for home, and if the veteran galloper is left to his own devices, he could pinch this event at cricket score odds. His best form reads exceptionally well for this race, and the Gary Portelli polish must be respected. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Wewillrock @ $6.50
Randwick Race 10
#8 Lady Brook
Lady Brook is ready to win. The Hinchinbrook mare is racing in great spirit this preparation, and I suspect a peak run is just around the corner. She meets similar opposition here and should be rock-hard fit at this stage of her preparation. The 1100m is in her wheelhouse, and the current soft track conditions are advantageous. If she can find some cover from the carpark draw, I expect her to be there when the whips are cracking.
Kir Royale resumes here after a sensational summer preparation. The I Am Invincible mare looks well placed, dropping significantly in grade, and her best form reads incredibly well for this event. Her two recent barrier trials will have her cherry ripe for Saturday, and the apprentice claim puts her into all winning conversations. Her first-up record is the primary concern.
Petulant will have supporters after an impressive last-start win at Canterbury. From barrier four, the Starspangledbanner mare will roll forward and take up her favourite role as race leader, and if she is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, she can lead them a merry dance. She looks well placed at the weights and deserves her shot at this level. The length of her campaign could be her undoing.
Suggested Bet: Lady Brook @ $13.00
