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By Brad Gray

Punters got the lot with two-year-old filly 9. Shamadan on debut at Murwillumbah. The Tassort filly was heavily backed late and won with authority. She gave away race experience to a number of her rivals but always travelled like the winner, ploughing through the Heavy 10 going. That’s a bonus heading into Saturday. Whatever Randwick throws up we know this filly will handle it. Respect that Matt Dunn comes straight to town on the back of that win. He’s an underrated trainer of juveniles. Shamadan put 3.5 lengths on her rivals, with the runner up Petticoat a Newcastle winner on debut over 900m. She then ran in Queensland finishing fifth behind Zouna. It might a little tenuous as a form reference but it does provide some confidence that Shamadan can measure up here.

Dangers: 12. Vinniro returns a gelding. He didn’t show up in two runs in his first campaign but they were behind Spywire and Storm Boy. Gapped his rivals in a recent Randwick trial, suggesting that he could be a sharp improver. 1. Buckingham Palace was ridden out to find the line in his most recent Randwick trial but there was a response. Could pay to follow market moves with so many unknowns so respect the early moves for debutant 11. Twinkling Star.

How To Play It: Shamadan WIN

18. November Falls went down narrowly in Midway Handicap company two weeks ago, picked off late by Bakerloo. The four-year-old, trained by Mitch Beer, had no excuses having controlled the race from in front, turning it into a sprint home, but she looks even better placed out to the mile given she has won over 2000m in the past. There were two lengths back to third and a further six lengths back to fourth. That bodes well for it being a solid form reference going forward. Rachel King stays on. She’ll know that the daughter of Sacred Falls appreciated that front-running roll, being ridden with momentum. The other significant form factor in her favour is the wet track. Should be at her peak now fourth up, makes her own luck and the wetter the better.

Dangers: 11. Decadent Tale rarely runs poorly. She clocked the fastest closing splits in the race at Scone last start despite being six weeks between runs. She was forced back to last from the draw. Was set to run over 2000m last Saturday at Rosehill but is well performed over the mile, and on wet ground. Hard to knock her given her consistency. 13. Watch My Girl was a dominant all-the-way winner at Hawkesbury last start. It was a Class 1. This is a leap up from that and she has been priced on potential. Faces a wide draw and a wet track. Plenty against in the context of her early price. 1. Olympic Gaze had to switch back to the inside and made steady late ground last start at Scone. Probably wants 2000m but could run a race at odds.

How To Play It: November Falls WIN

10. Ticklebelly finished a luckless sixth in Highway Handicap company the last time we saw her line up at the races. That was six weeks ago now. The filly wouldn’t have given the impressive winner Martini Mumma a scare but she should have been fighting out the minors. That Highway has produced three subsequent winners while the winner finished fourth in Listed company at Scone thereafter. Happy to trust that form reference. Prior to that The Scott Collings-trained three-year-old finished too well for her rivals at Albury. She should be able to bounce out to put herself in the first couple in running given where she has drawn and is already proven in wet ground. She won her maiden on a heavy track and her Class 1 win was on a Soft 7. Has only had seven career starts.

Dangers: 6. Syrian Star doesn’t have any tactical speed. That’s the gamble with her. A poor racing style. What she does have, however, is a powerful close. The mare will be hoping the track plays off fence, which is likely, giving her the chance to run over the top of her rivals late. Should have just about won a Highway first up two campaigns ago. Last time in first up she ran home in fast time behind Penthouse. The wet track brings her right into play. Will be interesting to see how 1. Ramones reacts to the blinkers going on for the first time. That might offset coming back slightly in trip. Beaten less than a length in his past two starts, both in Highway company. 9. Soul Lady returned in style and loves it wet.

How To Play It: Ticklebelly WIN

14. Bestower was wide and working throughout at Randwick last start. That’s an awful place to be from the 1800m start at Randwick. The filly fanned widest turning for home and despite looking beaten at the 300m mark, she came again through the line clocking the fastest last 200m in the race. It was a brave run from the daughter of Contributer with the form guide placing do her no justice at all. Luck also deserted her the start prior at the midweeks. On that occasion she had trouble angling into the clear. Naval Commission was off and gone by the time she got out. He since won again against older stayers at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Bestower profiles to relish the step out to 2000m and she has already proven herself on wet ground.

Dangers: 16. Piggyback was heavily backed late in the same race as Bestower, won by Invincible Spy qho managed to take the speed out of the race. She didn’t have any excuses, it took her a while to work through her gears. Expecting her to also improve out to 2000m given what she did there and her pedigree. Ran on behind Scarlet Oak prior to that at Newcastle. Gets winkers first time. 6. Misterkipchoge didn’t make the Queensland Derby field as an emergency so coming back to 2000m is slightly against. Found the line behind First Innings at Ipswich last start. He’ll continue to improve with racing. 8. Mannerheim was left flatfooted in the Rough Habit three weeks ago but caught the eye late. Back in grade. Sneaky hope at odds. 5. Warialda Warrior backs up from the Queensland Derby.

How To Play It: Bestower WIN

1. Missy Moola did get on speed favours first up at Randwick but it was an encouraging return from the former Kiwi. Now into her third campaign with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, she looks well set up to score her first win in Australia. With each start here she has improved. The progression out to the mile is perfect second up and her record on wet tracks is near perfect. Her one win on heavy ground was in maiden company in New Zealand but she put 4.5 lengths on her rivals. Apprentice jockey Amy McLucas rode the four-year-old a couple of weeks ago and she stays aboard. Her 2kg claim somewhat offsets the big weight she has been asked to carry in this company. Maps to settle outside of her stablemate and early favourite 9. Redbreast.

Dangers: 2. Principessa is another mare that loves it wet. Gets straight out to the mile but she was only nine weeks between runs prior to resuming so there’d be some residual fitness. Has in excess of five lengths to turnaround on Missy Moola from a fortnight ago. 15. It’s A Wonder gets in with just 52kg in this grade. The Dundeel filly has had a number of false starts since her last start third in the Wagga Guineas. That sees her five weeks between runs. That can’t be ideal but her talent could offset that. 5. Nana’s Wish last ran second to Scarlet Oak at Newcastle. The month between runs hasn’t been an issue for her in the past. She is another mare very comfortable in wet ground. 8. Bootscooter is an excellent second up record and did enough first up at Scone in Group company.

How To Play It: Missy Moola WIN

13. The Black Cloud resumed with a career-best at Randwick first up over the 1000m. That bodes well for what lies ahead. It’s still all in front of this filly. She has to contend with an extra 3kg and is drawn off the track. The task to make it four wins from fives starts doesn’t look an easy one on paper but she’s still untapped. It took her a while to level up to the speedy Passeggiata, but once she did she raced clear the last 50m, asserting her authority late. Perhaps some query staying at 1000m second up given she won over 1100m twice in her first campaign before running second out to 1200m. There is a lot of speed engaged so it she should get her chance to run home over the top. The best she can hope for is a three-wide running line. All eyes on how the track is playing.

Dangers: 11. Fleetwood throws up a different form line. He had his first run as a gelding at Warwick Farm first up and won comfortably having led. Has always teased ability. The prospect of a wet track is unlikely to stop him. Will be interesting to see how he copes with the drop back to 1000m. Maps well. 18. Acappella Sun looks dangerous with no weight on her back after the claim. 2. Shalailed tends to improve with the run but liked the way he ended last campaign.

How To Play It: The Black Cloud WIN

3. Gravina has been excellent in two runs for Matt Dale. The former Godolphin-trained galloper was set for a first up tilt at the Wagga Town Plate, just missing in a busy finish. He lost nothing in defeat. The six-year-old then tackled the Luskin Star Stakes and found himself in a tricky spot upon settling having drawn inside. Jockey Louis Beuzelin had no choice other than to switch back to the fence, the inferior ground. He was still only beaten a narrow margin, matching it with Group One performer Amendable for much of the straight. All five of his career wins have been on soft and heavy ground so he’ll get conditions to suit on Saturday and the son of Sebring has an outstanding Randwick record (11:3-2-4). The barrier isn’t ideal but isn’t quite so scary once the emergencies come out.

Dangers: 8. Astero boxed on to run third in the Takeover Target Stakes last start at Newcastle. 12. Estadio Mestalla was the eye-catcher coming through that same race, flashing home into fourth. There was nothing between the pair at the finish and they jumped the same starting price. Yet on Saturday there is a significant discrepancy. It’s that price angle that makes Astero appealing. Wet track is fine. Middle draw perfect. Estadio Mestalla had his first exposure to heavy ground at Newcastle and got through it well. That sets up his preparation nicely, tackling 1300m second up. His stablemate 4. King Of The Castle attacked the line in the Luskin Star first up. He improves second up. The knock is staying at 1300m. His better recent form is out to the mile. Draws to get the right run, it’s just whether he’ll still be sharp enough perhaps wanting further.

How To Play It: Gravina WIN

12. Williamsburg sets up well for another crack at 2000m. All three previous tries at the trip were as a three-year-old. He ran fifth in the Spring Champion behind Sharp ‘n’ Smart before running third to Lindermann and Pericles in the Rosehill Guineas, and followed that up with a third to Osipenko and Pericles in the Frank Packer Plate. He was unlucky in the latter too. Long story short, he’ll get the journey. The promise of a wet track is also a huge boon for the son of Snitzel. He loves wet ground. He also has a couple of big wins to his name at Randwick. Was no match for Iknowastar last start but he stuck on well at the finish, just missing in The Coast prior. The gate gives Tyler Schiller options.

Dangers: 13. Hopeful is another galloper that needs it wet to produce his best. That’s been evident all throughout his Australian career. Three starts ago he gave Circle Of Fire a run for his money in the Chairmans. That was over 2600m. His run at Warrnambool was much better than it reads on paper, having been shuffled back in the run. 6. Sir Lucan shot clear last start at Newcastle and it nearly proved a masterstroke. Hezashocka came out of the pack to launch a late challenge, getting the better of him on the line. He isn’t a sit sprint style of horse. He’s all about momentum. 5. Sibaaq hasn’t won for just shy of two years but he looks well set up out to 2000m now. He was brave riding the speed in the Scone Cup, set up for the closers including the winner 1. Sky Lab. Big market watch on 10. Eliyass.

How To Play It: Williamsburg WIN

16. Iowna Merc comes through the Ortensia Stakes last start, running on from the back of the field having drawn wide. He again gets in on the minimum and draws to settle a couple of pairs closer. Punters wanted to be with him at Scone. There is more to come from him.

Dangers: 13. Dashing Legend didn’t show up in two runs last campaign. She is better than that. Has trialled well. Just have to take her on trust. 11. Semillion was an all the way winner of the Takeover Target Stakes last start. Dropping back to 1100m shouldn’t be an issue, lining up four weeks between runs. He races well in wet going too. 5. Eagle Nest matched it with Parisal for much of the Hawkesbury straight last start. She held off third comfortably. 12. Quick Tempo draws awkwardly but rates a mention.

How To Play It: Iowna Merc WIN

3. Waterford had a hard luck story to tell coming through the Scone Cup. The five-year-old is into his fourth Australian preperation but there is a case to be made that he has returned in career best form on what we have seen from him in two runs back. He attacked the line first up at Rosehill, showing a brilliant turn of foot to run down subsequent winner Iknowastar. He was then held up for a few strides too long at Scone which proved costly. The gelding missed in a bob of the heads having been heavily backed late in betting. Chris Waller scratched him from the Lord Mayors Cup over 2000m instead opting to stay at the mile. Waterford handles all conditions and the middle draw should see Josh Parr give him the galloping room he likes.

Dangers: A slow getaway proved costly for 15. Ruby Flyer over this track and trip two weeks ago. He kept finding the line to run third but Iknowastar was already off and gone. Has just 53kg on his back in this grade. Wet is fine. Only has to hold his form to be in the finish again. 13. Miracle Spin needed the run at Hawkesbury before improving out to the mile. Has to turn the tables in Ruby Flyer but the prospect of a heavy track helps. 16. Highlights has form around all the right horses and tackles this on a seven day backup having narrowly missed at Caulfield last Saturday. Untried on anything worse than soft. Can slide across early to offset the wide gate. It could even prove an advantage come late in the meeting.

How To Play It: Waterford WIN

1. Hollywood Hero isn’t ideally suited back to 1400m as opposed to the 1500m he was set to tackle last Saturday prior to the washout. However, the prospect of a testing track could offset that. So could the month between runs. The four-year-old drops back in grade from The Coast at Newcastle last start. The trade off is a hike in the weights. Prior to that he bolted in at Canterbury and a repeat of that would go close to winning this. His first up run behind Gringotts and Iknowastar also reads well now too. He has clearly come back well. He has already shown that he holds his form deep into preparations. Doubt that changes this time in. His 62kg impost is offset after the claim of Bailey Wheeler. Apprentice jockeys have ridden him with success in the past.

Dangers: 11. Xidaki is better set up tackling 1400m as opposed to 1500m. He is four weeks between runs but he wasn’t long off prior to that Queensland run so had some residual fitness. He tried hard in the heavy conditions at the Sunshine Coast in Group Three company but was no match for the likes of Corniche late. The subsequent form through that race has been mixed but Roll On High finished one place behind him. 10. Starman goes into all trifectas and first fours. He just has a habit of finding one better. 4. Unanimous could be the sneaky knockout off a forget first up. He has won his past two on heavy going.

How To Play It: Hollywood Hero WIN

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