The Group 1 Epsom Handicap and The Metropolitan take centre stage this Saturday at Royal Randwick. With plenty of black-type events also featuring on the stunning program, all roads lead to the eastern suburbs! In Melbourne, we head to headquarters for an intriguing edition of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes. Can the Australian horse of the year Via Sistina bounce back after a rare loss, or will it be a changing of the guard in front of the Flemington faithful?
Randwick Race 6
#1 Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic is flying at present. The Extreme Choice Filly has caught the eyes of punters this campaign, and the form around her has stood up time and again during the early part of the spring. The step out to a mile suits, and she meets similar opposition here. Her best performance will prove too strong, and I suspect she has the racing world at her feet. The real deal who will jump a justified long odds-on favourite.
Within The Law is racing better than it suggests in the bible. The Lucky Vega filly hadn’t drawn a decent barrier since the moon landing, and I suspect the camp are delighted with a perfect inside draw on Saturday. The longer trip is advantageous, and she should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy and luckless campaign. Can threaten with the right run in-transit.
Suggested Bet: Apocalyptic @ $1.80
Randwick Race 8
#6 Willydoit
Willydoit was ok without threatening first-up in the Group 2 Tramway over 1400m. The wide barrier forced him to get out of his ground during the early stages of the race, and after storming home from another suburb against the pattern, he only finished three lengths behind the flying Pericles and Private Eye. The Tarzino gelding is undefeated at the trip, and he traditionally motors second-up from a spell. The inside draw will allow the big boy to sit closer in the run, and he meets Pericles and company 6kg better off at the weights under the handicap conditions. If the time-honoured event turns into a true and testing edition, he may prove too strong late with his superior staying ability. Biggest test to date, however; he will make his presence felt when the whips are cracking
The freakish Autumn Glow will likely start in the red chasing Group 1 glory. The Autumn Sun mare remains undefeated to date, and she has passed every test that has been put in front of her with flying colours. The lightly raced four-year-old steps out to 1600m for the first time, and she faces her toughest assignment of her career. Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride due to Via Sistina commitments for James McDonald in Melbourne, and the carpark draw could determine her fate during the early stages of the event. She is weighted poorly on exposed form, and the skinny odds look poisonous if she is cast covering extra ground in the run. A win here would announce a star on the biggest stage.
Suggested Bet: Willydoit @ $9.00
#9 Soul Of Spain
Soul Of Spain is flying! The Phoenix Of Spain gelding has won three on the trot, and his recent winning performance at Group 3 level must be respected. He comes in extremely well under the handicap conditions, and I suspect he is ready to explode on Saturday over the longer trip. The useful five-year-old has upside and progression for days and has been heavily supported since fields were finalised. Major player!
Vauban is ready to win. Both runs this campaign have teased punters, and I suspect his next four-quarter performance is just around the corner. The longer trip plays into his favour, and his international form reads incredibly well for this event. The hefty weight, and his recent winning record are the biggest deterrents.
Suggested Bet: Soul Of Spain @ $5.00
Flemington Race 6
#7 Mcgaw
Mcgaw carried on like a porkchop at his latest outing. The I Am Immortal gelding threw his head around throughout, and he gave himself no realistic chance of threatening. His first-up performance was outstanding, and if he brings his best manners to race-day, I expect him to figure in the finish. He is ready to peak at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he is wiser after his recent debut experience at Flemington. The 1100m suits, and if the big boy can find some cover in-transit, he can cause a boil-over. Over the odds!
Rosberg couldn’t have been any more impressive on debut. The Deep Field colt didn’t have a clear passage throughout, however; once the big boy saw daylight, he savaged the line to claim victory. The spacious headquarters circuit will suit his racing pattern and style, and I suspect the camp have some lofty goals in mind for this enigmatic three-year-old. He looks the real deal, and a win here could set up a date with a Group 1 event at his third career start. Big watch!
Flemington Race 7
#6 Berkshire Breeze
Berkshire Breeze is over the odds. The Mastercraftsman gelding has savaged the line at both outings this preparation, and the longer trip suits to a tee. The form around Half Yours reads incredibly well for this event, and I suspect he is ready to produce a peak performance for the campaign. The Ciaron Maher polish must be respected, and the inform Mark Zahra has a good association with the flashy grey. The carpark draw is his biggest challenge.
Stablemate Gilded Water looks ultra-progressive. The Fastnet Rock gelding is flying at present, and he deserves his opportunity at this level on Saturday. The exciting four-year-old gets in extremely well at weights, and the key appointment of Jamie Melham should raise eyebrows. The current track conditions suit, and the longer trip favours him. Biggest test to date, however, I suspect he has more improvement and upside than his key rivals. Take on trust.
Flemington Race 8
#4 Via Sistina
Via Sistina can bounce back after failing to threaten in a farcical edition of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. The world-class Fastnet Rock mare wasn’t suited by the sit and sprint, and she finds her pet distance on Saturday. The inside draw is advantageous, and I suspect she is about to explode and stamp her authority. The Chris Waller and James McDonald combination will attract further market support, and with even luck in-transit, I expect the crowd favourite to return to the winners’ enclosure. A mere formality on route to claiming another W.S. Cox Plate.
Stablemate Aeliana is the logical danger to the favourite. The Castelvecchio mare produced the fastest last 200m in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and I suspect she is ready to peak third-up from a spell. The polished four-year-old was brilliant first-up behind Via Sistina over an unsuitable distance, and her victory in the Derby against the boys during the autumn is still fresh in the memory bank. If the favourite experiences traffic issues or has an off day, I expect her to take home the chocolates. Danger!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $2.60
