The Group 2 Missile Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Royal Randwick. With a host of Listed and Benchmark events offering competitive racing, all roads lead to the eastern suburbs! In Victoria, we continue the new racing season at the iconic Moonee Valley. With spring in the air, find out who our experts expect to take home the cash.
Randwick Race 7
#1 Space Age
Space Age was a brilliant last-start winner in an easier grade. The Make Believe gelding has plenty of upside, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. The 3kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and he is drawn to perfection in a middle gate. His record at the track and distance must be respected, and I suspect he can continue on his winning ways with the right run in-transit.
Yasuke was scratched from Wednesday’s Canterbury Park meeting and saved for this event. The Maurice gelding is ready to win, and the step out to 1600m is ideal at this stage of his campaign. Both runs this preparation have been ominous, and he has been well supported in early betting. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Space Age @ $5.00
Randwick RACE 8
#3 Schwarz
Schwarz looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive racing program. The Zoustar entire turned heads recently at the trials, and his form prior was first-class. The enigmatic four-year-old looks well-placed in this company, and a victory on Saturday looks like a mere formality. A big spring is in on the cards!
Semillion was brave behind the flying Recommendation at his latest outing at Caulfield. The Shalaa gelding will appreciate the current track conditions, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. From barrier nine, he will roll forward and call the shots early, and if he can sneak away over the famous Randwick Rise, he may prove hard to run down. His recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Schwarz @ $2.00
#2 Golden Path
Golden Path is looking for a hatrick of victories. The Belardo gelding has had a six-week freshen-up since his latest outing, and he looked classy behind the inform Williamsburg in a barrier trial. The impressive career record is building nicely, and if the heavens open before the barriers, I suspect his quote will shorten significantly. Hard to toss.
Galeron is knocking on the door. The Camacho gelding is coming off a string of narrow losses, and he looks well-placed and weighted in this event. Barrier two should ensure a soft trip in transit, and his versatility should take him a long way on Saturday. He may need some luck to get off the dulex as they run for the doctor!
Suggested Bet: Golden Path $4.50
Moonee Valley Race 7
#1 Duke De Sessa
Duke De Sessa looks poised to strike third-up from a spell. Both runs this campaign have been good without threatening, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. His record at the trip must be respected, and I suspect he will excel at the valley. Barrier one will ensure he saves every inch of turf throughout, and if he can see fresh air as they run past the school, he will be hard to toss!
King Magnus hasn’t won since Hamlet was a kid. Each run this campaign has been good, and I suspect the old boy is edging closer to his next victory. The Magnus gelding finds a winnable assignment on Saturday, and the form around him all preparation has stood up time and again. The apprentice claim could prove fruitful, and he should get a nice run from a middle gate. Keeps finding one or two better on race day.
Suggested Bet: Duke De Sessa @ $11.00
Moonee Valley Race 8
#5 Angry Skies
Angry Skies is ultra-consistent. The Toronado gelding has finished on the heels of the winners all campaign, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The big boy has been crying out for the mile since the Moon landing, and he looks dangerous jumping from an inside barrier. The drop in grade is advantageous, and he will appreciate meeting easier opposition. He needs to beat the handicapper!
Regal Pom is over the odds! The Press Statement gelding is racing better than it suggests in the bible, and he looks the class runner of the field. I suspect he will pilot the field with a clean break, and he should be ready to peak third up from a spell after two encouraging performances. The 3kg brings him into all winning conversations, and the mile will suit to a tee. The carpark draw is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Angry Skies @ $5.00
Moonee Valley Race 9
#15 Wallenda
Wallenda can finish the day on a winning note for the punters. The Trapeze Artist has been savaging the line late behind some serious customers, and I suspect he will get his chance to notch up a well-deserved victory on Saturday. He should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his campaign, and I expect him to get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. He needs to put another win on the board!
Extratwo can trouble the scorer here! The Toronado mare is a specialist at the distance, and she loves Moonee Valley more than Daryl Brathwaite on Cox Plate Day. The talented five-year-old drifts back from barrier nine and lets the race unfold. If she can spring off the camber as they run for the judge, I expect her to be in the finish. Huge watch!
Suggested Bet: Wallenda @ $4.60
