The Group 2 The Ingham is the main event this Saturday at Randwick. With $2,000,000 up for grabs, a bumper and festive local crowd is expected in the eastern suburbs! In Victoria, Caulfield host a typically tough and competitive summer program of racing on the Heath circuit. The $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria two-year-old classic is the feature race on the stunning card.
Randwick Race 7
#3 Sea King
Sea King resumes for his new stable. The Bendigo Cup winner looked cherry ripe in a recent barrier trial, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. From barrier three, he will occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear as they climb the famous Randwick Rise, I expect him to prove too strong late. Classy galloper!
Alalcance is progressive. The Mastercraftsman mare finds a winnable assignment, and she is racing in great spirit at present. Her last-start victory at Kembla Grange was ultra-impressive, and she looks ready for the longer trip. The versatile five-year-old handles all conditions, and I suspect she will pilot the field with a clean jump from the barriers. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Sea King@ $3.20
Randwick Race 8
#18 Estadio Mestalla
Estadio Mestalla broke the Kembla Grange track record carrying the grandstand at his latest outing. The significant drop in weight to 53kg is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. His record at the distance is outrageous, and the camp is training winners for fun. Jumping from another suburb is his biggest obstacle.
Gringotts is flying at present. The Per Incanto gelding is coming off two dominant victories, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the campaign. The middle gate will give Tommy Berry a menagerie of options during the race’s early stages, and he meets similar opposition. The 60.5kg and the length of his current preparation are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Estadio Mestalla @ $15.00
#5 Hedged
Hedged is one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive racing program. His fresh run at Kembla Grange was full of merit, and he traditionally runs well second-up from a spell. His performance behind Joliestar in the autumn is still fresh in the memory bank, and his best showing here could be fences and panels better than his rivals. Push the chips in!
Moravia is coming off a forgive run. The Snitzel gelding was heavily supported at his latest outing, and he showed less effort than the Easter Bunny at Christmas. A little freshen-up since his last-start flop could prove a training masterstroke, and he looks poised to bounce back from a perfect inside draw. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Hedged @ $3.50
Randwick Race 10
#5 Yiska
Yiska is over the odds. The Smart Missile gelding was a gritty first-up winner at Canterbury, and I suspect he will appreciate the longer trip at this stage of his campaign. He deserves his shot at this level, and he has been well supported at a double figure quote in early betting. The key appointment of Tommy Berry must be respected, and with even luck in-transit, I expect him to make his presence felt late. The awkward alley is the biggest deterrent.
Eye Of The Fire will start favourite after recording back-to-back victories. The Epaulette gelding is building an enviable career record early doors, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign. From barrier four, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can control the clock throughout, he will be hard to toss. His record at the distance, and the step up in grade are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Yiska @ $12.00
Caulfield HEATH Race 5
#1 Bacash
Bacash has been good without winning in both career starts. The Cosmic Force colt will appreciate the step out in distance, and I suspect this has been a long-range target from the astute camp. A recent barrier trial turned heads at Flemington, and the key appointment of Craig Williams will attract further market support. Easily the one to beat on exposed form.
Muchness can run well on debut. The Lope De Vega filly has caught the eyes of punters at the trials, and I suspect she will be cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt on Saturday. The Peter Moody and Linda Meech combination is more reliable than Raygun finding a headline, and the precocious two-year-old has been absolutely crunched at a price since acceptances. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Bacash @ $3.00
Caulfield HEATH Race 9
#3 Warnie
Warnie looks ready to explode. The Highland Reel entire has raced extremely well all campaign in hot form races, and I suspect he has the fitness and class edge on his opposition. The enigmatic four-year-old has upside for days, and this looks his race to win. The 55kg is a luxury, and any quote in the black is well and truly over the odds. Howzat!
Marble Arch is racing better than then her form suggests in the bible. The Per Incanto mare was luckless two starts back at Flemington, and she had excuses at her latest outing at Cranbourne. She looks well placed in this company, and the 2kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference. The talented five-year-old is rock-hard fit, and I expect her to get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. She will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Warnie @ $2.20
