Latest News

By Ray Hickson

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 6 # 8 – IMPOSANT

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Steve Hart)

Consistent mare from the Kris Lees yard who has won two of 11 and is clearly not far off another win looking at her two runs back. She bumped into the handy Tuileries first-up, hitting the line nicely, then came from well off them around Wyong on a day it wasn’t easy to pull back the leaders from the back to run another second. She steps to 1400m now third-up in a field of 10 and hopefully she can hold a position around midfield or just off it. If she can get into the clear at the right time she has the turn of foot to pick them up.

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 7 # 8 – LLANDDWYN

Kicked off her preparation with two runs at 1400m then dropped to 1100m at Wyong two weeks ago. Didn’t help her cause by being slowly away and conceding a big start in a fast run race around the tight turning track. She speared wide on the turn and took a while to balance up before charging home into fifth place, running the fastest final 600m sectional of the meeting. Takes on some similar rivals up to 1200m, which is around where all three wins have come, and she did win at that trip fourth-up last time in. Needs to get in right early and if she does then she is more than capable of making her presence felt at the finish.

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 2 # 12 – TRAFALGAR SQUARE

It was a little bit hidden that this filly posted the fastest last 600m of the Midway from Wyong two weeks ago. Punter’s Intelligence showed that sectional was 35.04 and it held plenty of merit given she had some momentum stopped midrace and she was held up for runs and not able to fully wind up from the home turn. She still managed the second fastest last 200m in 12.05 and was jumping from 1200m to the mile for the first time. She’ll be better prepared for a very similar contest run at a roomier track and it’ll be interesting to see what she can do with a clear shot at them.

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 6 # 4 – BALMIERRO

There’s been a lot to like about both runs back over shorter trips and in what are handy form races given he’s staying at provincial level. Resumed at 1400m at Kembla Grange behind Pocketing and Toes In The Water then took off early and held on well up to a mile at Wyong running third behind How Much Better and Elle Hudson. Creeps up further in distance now, draws to get a very comfortable run and has found what looks to be a wide open race. There has to be further improvement in him and if that’s the case he should go close third-up.

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