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By Nick Berney

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 5 # 12 – CHICA MOJITO

The NZ import arguably should've won first-up at Rosehill a few weeks ago after having no luck in the straight. The mare was held up for a run at critical stages and forced back into the inferior ground, but still hit the line hard to finish third. Further, that race rated highly against the day, and there has been a subsequent winner to confirm the form. She is now in her second campaign under the guidance of trainer Chris Waller, and she gets in with no weight here, which will enhance her acceleration/closing speed. Expect her to be savaging the line.

ROYAL RANDWICK – NEXT BEST: Race 8 # 21 – UNUSUAL LEGACY

Like him, and this has been his target for a long time. The stable has taken their time with him, progressing him through the grades, and he gets in here with a lightweight. The five-year-old has stepped each run from a ratings perspective in his last two campaigns, and everything points towards him producing a career peak over 2400m. Expect him to relish the trip; he's on the quick backup, and he'll be smothered away from a kind draw doing no work.

Ceolwulf (Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 9 # 7 – CEOLWULF

He profiles well for this event, and four-year-olds have an exceptional record, winning 10 out of the last 15 runnings of the Epsom. The gelding operation has been the making of him, and he's gone to a new level this prep, coming off the back of a career peak last start. He showed adaptability that day, sprinted the meeting quickest 400m-200m split in 10.77 and maintained a strong finished speed to the line to finish second with a gap to third. The drop back to 1600m suits and repeating that last start effort will make him hard to hold out.

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 3 # 3 – CREEK

He's another runner where the gelding operation has been the key, and he produced a career peak figure at this track a fortnight ago. He drifted back from an awkward draw but built through his gears well and knuckled down hard over the concluding stages to clock the meeting's second-fastest final 200m split. Further, there was a lot of style about his win, pricking his ears on the line and going through the line full of energy, indicating the rise to 1400m is ideal. Historically, he improves second-up, and he handles all conditions.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting