By Nick Berney
Oh Diamond Lil (Bradley Photos)
ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 1 # 6 – OH DIAMOND LIL
The four-year-old is a mare in career-best form and brings a superior profile relative to her rivals. She has been a consistent type all-preparation, but her effort had merit last start when running second in a high-rating race. Further, she tried hard in defeat and clocked one of the meeting's fastest final 200m splits. She has a positive race setup, drops in grade and returns to a dry surface where she excels. Expect her to lead and be hard to catch.
ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 10 # 16 – MAWJOOD
It's D-day for the three-year-old, but forget he went round last-start at Canterbury after having cardiac arrhythmia. He can bounce back sharply here and has trialled well between runs with the blinkers off. Additionally, his first-up run was solid in a proven form reference and repeating that effort will put him in the finish. He sets maps well from the inside draw, gets in with no weight, and has multiple winning ratings.
ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 5 # 1 – HELLAVADANCER
She resumed at Randwick a fortnight ago and got into an awkward spot throughout transit before having her momentum haltered in the straight. To her credit, once clear, she wanted to pick herself up and hit the line. Punter's Intelligence recorded her late strength, and she ran the race equal fastest final 200m in 11.98. The mare historical pattern is to improve sharply second-up and she can settle closer with the claim suiting.
CANTERBURY PARK – FRIDAY NIGHT PICK: Race 4 # 4 – SMART LEGEND
He was a winner at the track/distance two starts ago, producing a career peak figure before improving again last start in Midway grade. He had every chance, but he tried hard in defeat in a high-rating event, and his late sectionals suggest the rise back to 1900m suits. The gelding maps to have all favours, and if he gets the breaks at the right time, he'll be hard to hold out.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting