Royal Randwick is set for an exciting day of racing this Saturday, June 6, with the rail out 3m and a Soft 6 track rating. The weather forecast shows a sunny 20 degrees after possible showers on Thursday and Friday.
Best Bet
Race 6, No.3 - Big Red Tequila ($4.80 on TAB)
Race 1 - 11:00AM KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1100M)
4. Klocke ($7) may lack race experience but has trialled impressively for Chris Waller. The Zoustar colt split Paradoxium and Central Europe in his second trial before spelling, then returned with two eye-catching efforts. In his first trial back, he was held together late but beaten narrowly, then was asked to find the line late in his most recent hitout. The trial speed steadied between the 400-200m, but his last 200m was backed up on the clock. The stable has a terrific record with late season two-year-olds. Don't be surprised to see Klocke add to that.
Dangers: 2. Lord Horatio ($4.40 favourite) won impressively on debut at Warwick Farm from the speed. The colts ran three lengths faster than the fillies, won by Uncertain Glory. The runner-up has since won at the provincials, and Lord Horatio has won a trial on the synthetic. Looks to do everything right. 9. Like An Eagle ($34) crabbed sideways out of the barriers on debut, over-raced early, and had trouble angling into the clear. To finish off like he did despite a messy first half suggests talent. 3. Lady Catalina ($9.50) gave a sight in the Woodlands at Scone. 7. Why So Hard ($6) has trialled well but maps to be last.
How To Play It: Klocke to WIN
Race 2 - 11:35AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1500M)
2. Sonofdec ($15) began sharply last start in the Gunnedah Cup and found himself in front for the first time in 26 starts. He boxed on well to be beaten a length by the flying Tavros ($1.35). Sonofdec started second favourite. Fourth-up last campaign, he won the Four Pillars over this track and trip in similar soft conditions. The knock is barrier 1 and where Mollie Fitzgerald (3kg claim) can get to in the run. There doesn't look to be much speed on paper, so she may have to roll the dice and slide forward.
Dangers: 9. Perfect Justice ($4.60 equal favourite) was the pick of the closers in the 1400m Midway at Randwick two weeks ago. His last 600m was the quickest in the race. He was first-up and forced to settle last from a wide gate. Had four spins in Midway company last campaign for four placings, three within half a length. 1. Promitto ($31) is a Midway regular. Forgive the beaten margin first-up at Scone in Listed company. Lumps 63.5kg but is no stranger to big weights. 12. Callistemon ($9) did enough first-up and should get conditions to suit again.
How To Play It: Sonofdec EACH-WAY
Race 3 - 12:10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100M)
4. Exit Fee ($3.30 fav) jumps 2.5kg after winning a Highway Handicap two weeks ago at Randwick over 1200m. Draws the same gate, and Adam Hyeronimus stays aboard. The Danny Williams-trained gelding looked certain to have a hard luck story, only angling into the clear in the nick of time, but it may have worked out for the best. Expose him late, burst through. He'll settle in a stalking position again and with a similar split should be fighting out the finish. Drops back to 1100m but is only third up.
Dangers: 8. Wayburn ($3.40) goes up only half a kilo from two weeks ago when pipped on the line by Exit Fee. The drop back to 1100m doesn't hurt this Matt Dunn-trained three-year-old. Draws barrier 1, so needs a clever ride from Nash Rawiller. 7. Powderman ($34) is a wildcard at odds. He flashed home into fourth in an identical race back in June last year and loves wet ground. The knocks are 48 weeks between runs and how one-dimensional he is, often settling last. 5. Occult ($8) perhaps found the mile too far last start; drops sharply back to 1100m.
How To Play It: Exit Fee to WIN
Race 4 - 12:45PM 50 YEAR AND LIFE MEMBER HANDICAP (1600M)
10. Nasebah ($2.70 fav) made a lasting impression at her first Australian start, charging clear to win by a dominant margin. That was the four-year-old mare's third start. The overall time was four lengths faster than Chispa at the same meeting, and the import showed a brilliant turn of foot when shooting up the fence. However, Nasebah was potentially flattered by finding the right part of the Kensington Track, towards the inside. Apprentice Siema Grima maintains the ride, carrying 54.5kg, but up in grade. The drop from 1800m to the mile doesn't look ideal given she won her maiden over 2200m overseas, and she is unknown on wet ground, but she is all upside. Taking the punt she's too progressive for these.
Dangers: 3. Bravissima ($9) has been ridden conservatively in two runs back, yet still hasn't been beaten far. Looks to find the right race third-up out to the mile to push the button and be further forward, perhaps even lead. The booking of Nash Rawiller could be a hint. 5. Amreekiyah ($4.60) was asked a lot last start at Scone when seven weeks between runs going to 1700m for the first time. Kept chasing. 8. Bird Whistle ($6.50) has tactical speed that could prove significant as there doesn't look to be much pressure on paper. Had been racing well in Group company prior to last start's Scone win. The runner-up has since won, and Mister Rizz has also raced well subsequently.
How To Play It: Nasebah to WIN
Race 5 - 1:20PM FOUNDATION FEMALE MEMBER HANDICAP (2000M)
11. Sunsprite ($3.90) swaps barrier 8 of 11 for barrier 3 of 12 on Saturday, which looks significant in a very similar field. Last start, The Autumn Sun filly, out of Oaks placegetter Scarlet Dream, drifted back to last two weeks ago. She loomed like the winner at the 200m but the energy exerted between the 400-200m told late, peaking to finish third. Out to 2000m looks a perfect progression. The Archibald stable was desperate to see her sneak into the Queensland Oaks field, but as the fourth emergency that appears unlikely, although it might hint how well the stable thinks she is going.
Dangers: 3. Decalogue ($3.60 fav) took eight starts to break his maiden but did it with authority at Newcastle last start. Three starts ago, he ran fourth in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes. 7. Angel City ($10) missed narrowly behind 1. Agent Zero ($6.50) a fortnight ago, through the same race as Sunsprite. She had excuses, shuffled back in the middle stages. Less than a length separated the first five home. 8. Eyensbury ($10) should have been part of that blanket finish given he was blocked for a run in the straight. 2. Engine Of War ($14) didn't fire in the SA Derby last start, but it's at least a different form line.
How To Play It: Sunsprite to WIN
Race 6 - 1:55PM CORNERSTONE RISK GROUP HANDICAP (1000M)
3. Big Red Tequila ($4.80) used her 'get out of jail free' card at Warwick Farm back in February before spelling. It looked mission impossible from where she settled, but she charged through the line to make it four wins from eight starts, carrying 61.5kg. The Joe Pride-trained mare only lost one race last campaign, to 6. Ice Kool ($2.50 fav), so she'll need to turn the tables. In her favour is the sting out of the ground and 1000m speed through 4. Prima Bella ($8) and 10. Vella's Best ($41). Jockey Sam Clipperton knows Big Red Tequila and hasn't even let a rival jockey have a spin on her in two trials.
Dangers: How the first half of the race plays out for Ice Kool will prove significant. The three-year-old captured punters' attention with a brilliant display of sustained speed at Warwick Farm to break his maiden before going back-to-back as a Randwick winner despite doing things wrong. He was left a sitting shot in the straight yet fought off the closers. That prompted a run in the Sunlight at the Gold Coast, but a slow getaway put paid to his hopes, and that was as a $7.50 chance. 1. Amazing Eagle ($6) stays at 1000m, but it was an encouraging return when a brave second to Prima Bella, who relished the heavy conditions.
How To Play It: Big Red Tequila to WIN
Race 7 - 2:30PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1300M)
11. Lugh ($6) keeps progressing in the right way. He ended the spring with a third in the Big Dance behind Gringotts and Vivy Air. That was over a mile, but three of his five wins have been over 1200m and 1300m. The five-year-old comes to hand quickly, and I like the way he has trialled up ahead of preparation number four. Nash Rawiller jumps aboard for the first time on raceday, which looks a good match, and he draws to get the right run. Kicking off Lugh's campaign in the first week of June might suggest the Ciaron Maher stable is chasing another spot in the Big Dance with several country cups around the corner over the mile.
Dangers: 6. Midnight Dynamite ($2.50 fav) exploded at Doomben last start when a dominant all-the-way winner, justifying confident market support. That's now four wins from his past five starts. He draws barrier 20 but will come in with six emergencies and has the speed to stride across to offset that. He has been heavily backed in early betting. 3. Point And Shoot ($7) will bomb the start more often than not, making him hard to catch. He was flattered by the fast speed up top in the Luskin Star but motored home into second. 4. Cool Jakey ($6) is a reliable on-pacer. Joe Pride won this race with Headley Grange last year and Coal Crusher in 2022.
How To Play It: Lugh to WIN
Race 8 - 3:05PM LISTED BOB CHARLEY AO STAKES (1100M)
It's been a slow burn in coaxing the best out of 3. General Salute ($5 fav), but he's starting to deliver on the promise he always teased. The five-year-old didn't win last campaign but kept good company with placings behind Autumn Glow, Lazzura, Gringotts, Headley Grange, and Transatlantic. All Group One winners now, even if they weren't at the time. General Salute won in devastating fashion first-up off a 41-week break this time last year, so the 32-week break shouldn't deter punters, even with just one trial under his belt as opposed to two. The niggle is the 1100m. If this was 1200m, he'd probably be a few rolls shorter, so we'll take the price and the punt that he is too good for these.
Dangers: There mightn't be a more underestimated sprinter in the state than 5. Brudenell ($10). He ran second to In Flight in this race 12 months ago and looks to be going just as well. Granted, he doesn't win out of turn now he has found his level, but has placed in five of his past 10 starts and never started shorter than $10 in those runs. One was at $41 and last start $71. We're slow learners. 16. Wanaruah ($7) rolled forward to offset a wide gate at Scone second-up and is still on the up. 7. Chidiac ($6.50) has won all three starts from a break and cannot be underestimated.
How To Play It: General Salute to WIN
Race 9 - 3:40PM CACTUS IMAGING HANDICAP (1600M)
5. Formal Display ($5) is firing on all cylinders this campaign for the Archibald stable. The import has gone to a new level this time back, with the benefit of an Australian preparation under his belt. The five-year-old won three on the bounce including the Tamworth Cup before covering ground in the Scone Cup from a wide draw. He was brave to fight on and finish third, beaten less than a length. The prospect of getting his toe into the ground on Saturday looks a positive, as does staying at the mile now fifth-up. Despite a big field, there's very little speed on paper, and Formal Display can make his own luck.
Dangers: 11. Declichy Boulevard ($4 fav) might be heading north to Queensland instead, but if she is at Randwick, she's a classy mare making up for lost time. 3. Sun God ($6.50) has won first-up in his last two campaigns. He was suited by the pressure up front in the Luskin Star but charged late to beat Linebacker and hold off Point And Shoot. Mindful that second-up last preparation he raced a touch flat out to 2000m on a soft track. Perhaps the key is keeping him to a mile? 6. God's Window ($8) didn't get much luck first-up before atoning over the Randwick mile two weeks ago. A ground-saving ride from Siena Grima, who stays aboard, proved the difference. 2. Know Thyself ($10) has an awful barrier to overcome but did enough in the Luskin Star and boasts a perfect Randwick record.
Race 10 - 4:20PM TAB HANDICAP (1400M)
4. Glorious Moments ($4) only won narrowly at Warwick Farm first-up, but it doesn't do the victory justice. He was always going to be vulnerable over 1100m on a heavy track with 61.5kg, especially after the race turned into a sprint home. His late splits were deceptively quick. Both Confidentiality and Formal have run well subsequently. The four-year-old jumps straight out to 1400m second-up. Given how he won second-up last time in, where he stamped himself as a potential Group horse going forward, it's reasonable to expect good improvement from the midweeks. Boasts a strong SP, and the barrier isn't as scary once punters account for emergencies.
Dangers: 16. Nitro's ($2.80 fav) lack of gate speed will see him lose more races than he wins, but he's loaded with talent. He flashed home into second at Scone first-up, giving away an impossible head start. Chad Schofield jumps aboard for the first time with Tom Sherry in Queensland. 19. Shotgun Bella ($18) looks the best at odds. The Nathan Doyle-trained mare has proved herself a genuine city class miler. She did the right thing by punters at Scone last start, proving too good for those with Hot Bandit since running well at Warwick Farm to frank the form. 11. Crossbow ($11) travelled like the winner last start but couldn't edge past Theblade. He has been racing well in similar to this.
How To Play It: Glorious Moments to WIN
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