The unofficial Day 3 of the Championships hits Royal Randwick with the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Champagne Stakes taking centre stage. In Victoria, Mornington hosts its traditional stand-alone cup meeting.
Royal Randwick Race 6
#5 Travolta
Travolta is overdue for a victory. The Lope De Vega is always thereabouts, and he is usually a winning chance inside the final furlong. The drop in grade is significant, and the James McDonald-Chris Waller combination must be respected. The drop in trips could prove a training masterstroke, and he has been well supported early doors. The camera seems to worry him on occasions!
Just Fine has shown glimpses of his best form this campaign. The Group 1 winner tends to mix his performances; however, he looks well placed in this company, and he is ready to rock ‘n’ roll on Saturday. The 2000m is arguably his best trip, and I suspect this is his main assignment for the autumn. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Travolta @ $3.50
Royal Randwick Race 7
#1 Campione D'italia
Campione D’Italia has one hoof on the till here. His victory in the Sires’ Produce was first-class, and his turn of foot is a game-changer. The step out to the mile is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect he still has room to improve in his preparation. He strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and he meets the usual suspects. The big boy is ready to explode, and he looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive program. Hard to toss!
Miss Chanel is knocking on the door. The Tagaloa filly hasn’t missed a top four spot since Hamlet was being written, and her run behind Campione D’Italia was an absolute beauty. The longer trip is the logical choice, and I suspect this has been the long-range target from the astute camp. She will get the perfect cart into the race, and I expect her to make her presence felt as they run for the doctor. She tends to find one or two better at pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: River Of Stars @ $9.00
#9 Mal Coupe
Mal Coupe is over the odds. The Xtravagant gelding has been flying this campaign, and he deserves his opportunity in this grade on Saturday. He is a 1200m specialist, and I suspect he has the fitness edge over most of the field. The inside draw puts him in the mix, and he is extremely well weighted. Hard to toss at a price!
Jokers Grin is an intriguing customer. The big boy comes across from Western Australia, and his form reads incredibly well for this event. His best performance here would prove too strong for his key rivals, and I expect his debut run for the Waller yard will be one to savour. I’d prefer to support his case deeper into his campaign.
Suggested Bet: Mal Coupe @ $4.00
Royal Randwick Race 9
#8 Angel Capital
Angel Capital is ready to taste Group 1 success. The enigmatic four-year-old was good without winning in the Newmarket, while he was a luckless in a busy and messy edition of the William Reid. The booking of James McDonald should raise eyebrows, and the 1400m will suit the big boy to a tee at this stage of his preparation. The low draw will allow him to camp on the leaders’ heels, and I expect him to figure in the finish on Saturday with even luck in-transit. Overdue!
Tom Kitten can run a drum at a price. His form this campaign is elite, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget his latest performance in the Australian Cup. The Group 1 winning gelding looks well placed in this company, and his cricket-score odds have been more than nibbled at. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Angel Capital @ $5.00
Mornington Race 8
#12 Sea What I See
Sea What I See is a model of consistency. The talented mare has filled a minor placing all campaign, and she is more than knocking on the door. She finds her ideal conditions and setup on Saturday, and she represents great value in both ways. I expect her to be positive from the gate and sit on speed, and if she can pinch a margin as they negotiate the dog leg, she will look the winner. She needs to put another victory on the board!
Ambassadorial is flying at present. The enigmatic galloper is notching up victories for fun, and with even luck in transit, another win is on the cards. The Fiorente gelding should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy preparation, and his opening quote has folded quicker than superman on laundry day. The gate may decide his fate during the early stages of the event.
Suggested Bet: Sea What I See@ $5.00
Mornington Race 9
#12 La Fracas
La Fracas is ready to score. The Night Of Thunder gelding is racing well without winning, and he looks well placed in this company. The distance is his preferred trip, and the early money tells a significant story. The camp are flying high at present, and I suspect this is a targeted event. I expect him to have plenty of supporters, and he is too classy to dismiss! Major player.
Midwest is a speed machine. The veteran galloper will find the bunny with a clean break, and I suspect he will look the winner as they run for the doctor. The Mornington track suits his racing pattern and style, and his exposed form this campaign is first-class. The current track conditions suit, and his opening quote has been more than nibbled at. The last 50m will provide an acid test.
Suggested Bet: La Fracas @ $4.50
