The new racing season continues this Saturday at Royal Randwick with the running of the Group 2 Missile Stakes. With plenty of value on the program and several stars resuming, spring is well and truly in the air! Around the grounds, The Valley and Eagle Farm host competitive and tricky winter meetings.
Royal Randwick Race 7
#9 Winston Hills
Winston Hills represents great every way. The Invader gelding traditionally motors fresh, and I suspect he will be cherry ripe for a first-up assault on Saturday. His record at the track and trip must be respected, and his best performance here would see him fight out the finish. 1200m is perfect at this stage of his campaign, and a victory in this event could springboard him into some lofty spring features. Over the odds.
Kerguelen will start the race favourite after producing several impressive performances this campaign. The Lonhro gelding is a 1200m specialist who meets easier opposition. The current track conditions will suit to a tee, and he has been well supported in most all-in markets. If he can see daylight before they climb the famous Randwick Rise, I expect him to make his presence felt late!
Suggested Bet: Winston Hills @ $10.00
Royal Randwick Race 8
#1 Private Eye
Private Eye is an owner’s dream! The Al Maher gelding is super honest, and he resumes here after running a stunning third in the $3,000,000 Stradbroke Handicap. The sting out of the track plays into his favour, and I expect him to jump in the red. His record at the trip speaks volumes, and I suspect he is on track for another crack at the richest race on turf. Hard to toss!
Robusto was an impressive last-start winner. The Churchill gelding lowered the colours of a smart one in the shadows, and I suspect he can rise to the next level on Saturday. The enigmatic six-year-old will pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers, and he should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. Dropping back to 1200m is a slight query at this stage of his preparation.
Suggested Bet: Private Eye @ $2.50
#16 Saltcoats
Saltcoats is ready to win! Both performances this preparation have put the writing on the wall, and I suspect he is prepared to explode third-up from a spell. The Ardrossan gelding has the ability to reel off sizzling late sectionals, and I guess he has entered most punters’ little black books during his career. The handicapper has missed him with the featherweight, and if he can stay in touch with the peloton during the early stages of the race, he will make his presence felt during the final furlong.
Glory Daze is racing extremely well at present. The Cotai Glory gelding has finished in the placings at his latest three outings, and the form around him has stood up time and again. His record at the track is near perfect, and he is a genuine swimmer. If the favourite has an off-day or experiences traffic issues, he can upset his more fancied and credentialed rivals. Dismiss at your own peril.
Suggested Bet: Saltcoats @ $4.50
The Valley Race 7
#1 Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square is ready to win. Both performances this campaign have been ominous, and I suspect he has been set to peak third-up from a spell. The 2kg apprentice claim promotes his chances further, and his record at the track and trip speaks volumes. The one-time VRC Derby favourite is hard to toss once he finds form, and his class alone will take him a long way in this event. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Sayedaty Sadaty is flying! He has put two victories together on the bounce, and I suspect he has further improvement for the campaign. The 2040m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I expect him to roll forward from the awkward gate. If the Anodin gelding can find the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the race, the fat lady maybe in full voice before heads turn for home.
Suggested Bet: Berkeley Square @ $10.00
The Valley Race 8
#2 Reset The Jazz
Reset The Jazz is over the odds. The Reset gelding is chasing a hat-trick of victories and looks well placed in this company. The 3kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations, and the inside draw should allow him to occupy the box-seat throughout. The 1600m is in his wheelhouse, and I suspect the tight Moonee Valley will suit his racing pattern and style. He can run a drum at a juicy price!
Farhh Flung is racing well without winning. He looked stiff at a crucial moment during his latest outing and finds a more suitable assignment on Saturday. His best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals, and the heavy market support indicates another bold and forward performance. In the mix.
Eagle Farm Race 8
#2 End Assembly
End Assembly has been game in defeat all preparation. The Outreach gelding is racing better than it suggests in the bible, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The big boy meets the usual suspects, and the 3kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations. He finds his pet distance, and he is ready to peak. Hard to toss!
Power Beau is a model of consistency. The Brazen Beau gelding arrives in Brisbane boasting solid country New South Wales Form, and he deserves his shot at this level. The inside draw is advantageous, and I expect his quote to continue to shorten before the barriers open. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: End Assembly @ $5.00
