Day 1 of the Championships are front and centre at Royal Randwick this Saturday. With the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, Inglis Sires’, Australian Derby, and the T J Smith Stakes feature events on a stunning card, most punters will be counting down the seconds until the barriers open! The $1,000,000 Country Championships Final will add some spice to an already smoking hot program, and with the weather on the improve, a capacity crowd is expected in the eastern suburbs. In Melbourne, the Group 3 Easter Cup and Victoria Handicap will entice punters to the heath on what looks a tricky and competitive meeting.
RANDWICK Race 6
#2 Wodeton
Wodeton is knocking on the door. The Wootton Bassett colt found traffic issues at a key stage in The Group 1 Golden Slipper, and he subsequently missed out on the chocolates as a result. The step out to 1400m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he will again be ridden quietly before being presented with one final devastating sprint. Ready to win!
Rivellino bombed the start in the Golden Slipper. His form prior was perfect, and I suspect he can bounce back with even luck in transit on Saturday. He is undefeated at Randwick, and the extra furlong won’t pose any problems or concerns. From the middle gate he can sit in the one out one back position, and if Hugh Bowman presses the go button at the right time, he will loom to win. Risk at your own peril.
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $2.70
RANDWICK Race 7
#11 Switzerland
Switzerland has promised the world and delivered a doughnut this campaign. The Snitzel colt dazzled the crowds during the spring, and his best performance here would have him a leading contender. His record at Randwick is near perfect, and I suspect the 1200m is his pet distance. A recent barrier trial indicated he is ready to explode on the big stage Saturday, and he is undefeated at this stage of his campaigns. Over the odds!
Sunshine In Paris is too consistent to dismiss. The Invader mare has raced at the top level for the majority of her career, and her breathtaking victory on Champions Day is still fresh in the memory bank. The drop back in distance is advantageous, and her fresh performance was good against a significant track bias. The carpark draw and second-up record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Switzerland @ $16.00
#2 Gringotts
Gringotts was a thrilling last-start winner of the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. He edged out a game Fangirl late and held off the fast-finishing Ceolwulf. The form out of the race has been franked since, and I suspect the talented five-year-old will take significant benefit as a result of his recent victory. The Per Incanto gelding is rock-hard fit after a lengthy and successful campaign, and his residual fitness will play a role at the pointy end of a tough Randwick mile on Saturday. The big boy handles the sting out of the ground and is drawn to receive the perfect run in transit. The allocated weight is a luxury, and he has been well-supported in most all-in markets. He represents each-way value!
The All-Star Mile Champion Tom Kitten has an opportunity to again stand-up on the big stage. The Harry Angel gelding came of age when he lowered Mr Brightside’s colours on the wire at Flemington, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget his luckless performance in the George Ryder. The drop to 55.5kg is significant, and I am confident he is about to produce the race of his career with even luck in transit. Ben Melham is riding well at present, and the dynamic duo are building an enviable winning record together. I am unsure barrier one is suitable for his racing pattern and style, and he may need the jaws of life to get off the dulex as they run for the doctor. Watch for him late.
Suggested Bet: Gringotts @ $7.00
RANDWICK Race 9
#18 Aeliana
Aeliana caught the eyes of punters late behind the Group 1 star Broadsiding. The Castelvecchio filly surged from another suburb, and she put the writing on the wall for a next-start victory. Her form around the boys this campaign is exceptional, and I suspect with even luck she will get her moment in the sun on Saturday. She is ready for the 2400m, and I expect her to sit closer to the speed from a perfect inside draw. Hard to toss!
Willydoit is a winning machine. His Group 1 form in New Zealand is elite, and I suspect he has the fitness and class edge over the majority of the field. The Tarzino gelding will stay longer than your mother-in-law, and he handles all conditions. If he can find a spot in the running line from the awkward draw, he will make his presence felt during the final furlong. I fear the camp might be going back to the well one too many times.
Suggested Bet: Aeliana @ $3.30
Caulfield Race 8
#4 Quintessa
Quintessa is coming a forgive run at Moonee Valley. The talented Shamus Award mare resented the track’s state, and she never travelled a yard throughout. Her run prior at Caulfield was a beauty, and her best performance here would see her fighting out the finish. The step out in trip is advantageous, and the current track conditions will suit her to a tee. Her racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Future History finds a winnable assignment. The Showcasing gelding rubbed shoulders with Pride Of Jenni and Zardozi at his latest outing, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop-in class on Saturday. He finds his pet distance third-up from a spell and always performs well at the heath. The grandstand weight and his recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Quintessa @ $26.00
Caulfield Race 9
#12 Nicolini Vito
Nicolini Vito is over the odds. The Nicconi gelding was ridden upside down fresh, and he was never a genuine winning chance against the track bias. 1400m is in his wheelhouse, and he has tasted success at Caulfield in a previous campaign. From the middle gate he can sit closer to the speed, and If he has taken improvement from his luckless first-up performance, I expect him to fight out the finish. Acid test!
Jennilala was an impressive first-up winner at Flemington. The Shalaa mare made a winning debut for her new stable, and I suspect she can continue on her winning ways on Saturday with even luck in-transit. The drop in distance could prove a training masterstroke, and she loves Caulfield more than Might And Power. The 54.5kg is a luxury, and she has been heavily supported since acceptances. Her second-up record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Nicolini Vito @ $10.00
