The time-honoured Group 1 Australian Guineas takes centre stage this Saturday at Flemington. With $1,000,000 up for grabs and precious Black-Type on the line, all roads lead to headquarters! In Sydney town, the Group 1 Surround Stakes and Verry Elleegant Stakes will have the punters flocking to Royal Randwick. Can the world-class Via Sistina turn the tables on the inform Fangirl?
Flemington race 7
#2 Just Folk
Just Folk is ready to peak. The veteran Magnus gelding has caught the eyes of punters in both runs this campaign, and I suspect this event is his main autumn assignment. He was beaten by the very progressive Rise At Dawn at his latest outing, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. He is a third-up specialist, and he looks great each way value.
Steparty has been brilliant without winning under the weight-for-age scale this preparation. Another Will and Mr Brightside had his measure at the elite level at Caulfield, and I suspect he is more suited in this company under handicap conditions. The 55.5kg is a luxury, and he is ready to peak over the Flemington mile. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Just Folk @ $9.00
Flemington Race 8
#4 Angel Capital
Angel Capital was ultra-impressive first-up at Caulfield. The Harry Angel colt had the fat lady singing a long way from home, and he put the writing on the wall for a successful and fruitful autumn campaign. The big boy strips fitter after his fresh heroics, and I suspect he is ready for the step out in trip. The talented three-year-old oozes class and the form around him has stood up time and again. If he can find a spot in the running line from the awkward gate, an emotional victory for the McDonald stable could well and truly be on the cards. Hard to toss!
Point And Shoot is flying at present. The Blue Point gelding was a dominant last-start winner at Randwick, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. The inside draw is advantageous, and he already boasts a victory over the mile. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his key rivals after a lengthy preparation, and there has been an avalanche of money for the enigmatic three-year-old in most all-in markets. His camp are training winners for fun at present, and I suspect Flemington will suit his racing pattern and style. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Angel Capital @ $4.00
#11 Certain Rise
Certain Rise is another progressive talent for the growing Yulong empire. The Written Tycoon filly was sound first-up, and I suspect plenty of improvement is needed for the preparation. The inform Blake Shinn retains the ride, and her six-furlong record must be respected. How she handles the long Flemington straight for the first time may determine the result.
Reserve Bank resumes with an air of expectation. The impressive Capitalist colt performed well behind some elite sprinters last campaign, and his best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals. His fresh record is perfect, and his only run at Flemington was breathtaking. He will figure in the finish if he can find some cover in the run.
Suggested Bet: Certain Rise @ $8.50
Royal Randwick Race 7
#1 Lady Shenandoah
Lady Shenandoah couldn’t have been more impressive first-up in the Light Fingers. The classy Snitzel filly put her rivals to the sword a long way from home, and she meets a similar line-up on Saturday. The step out in trip is in her favour, and I suspect she would have taken significant benefit as a result of her first-up romp. An ideal draw strengthens her case even further, and the appointment of James McDonald looks ominous. Class with a capital C!
More Territories is over the odds. The Territories filly got the job done against the older males fresh, and she looks well placed against her own age and sex on Saturday. She already boasts a victory over 1400m, and the inside draw will allow her to drift back and find her hooves early doors. If she can stay in touch with the peloton during the race’s middle stages, she can make her presence felt inside the final furlong.
Suggested Bet: Lady Shenandoah @ $1.60
Royal Randwick Race 8
#8 Via Sistina
Via Sistina had her colours lowered first-up in the Apollo Stakes. The lightly raced seven-year-old wasn’t suited by the crawling tempo, and I suspect the pilot would have rolled forward if he had his time again. Her supporters will be happy with the reappointment of James McDonald, and undoubtedly, she has plenty of improvement to come for the current campaign. She is a world-class mare, and with even luck in-transit, she will play a major role in the finish.
Fangirl was a brilliant winner first-up. She had her favourite conditions to suit and was the benefactor of a perfect Jason Collett ride. The tactical steer put the race to bed before they turned for home, and her customary turn of foot was a sight to behold. Her second-up record must be respected, and she always performs well over the Randwick mile. Can win again!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $2.00
Royal Randwick Race 9
#7 Willaidow
Willaidow won well first-up over an unsuitable distance. The Shamus Award gelding will appreciate the longer trip, and his record second-up is near perfect. The tough and gritty six-year-old will benefit from his brave, fresh performance, and he looks extremely well-placed in this company. From barrier nine, he will roll forward and find the bunny, and if he is left to his own devices throughout, the race could be over before patrons return to their seats. He will give a good sight!
Encap resumes after a string of impressive barrier trials. The consistent Capitalist gelding never runs a poor race, and his best performance here could see him easing down for a photo. His victory in the Theo Marks is still fresh in the memory bank, and his camp are training winners for fun at present. The inside draw puts him into all winning conversations, and he has been specked at a price since acceptances. Dismiss at your own peril!
Suggested Bet: Willaidow @ $4.00
