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By Ray Hickson

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the Listed $160,000 Drinkwise Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Polly Grey (SCRATCHED).

2. Frosty Rocks (Bjorn Baker): Failed to beat one home in the Group 2 Moreton Cup first-up from almost 18 months off the scene so that can be forgiven. He trialled sensationally leading into it and had his chance in the run but must have needed the match practice. Historically his second-up form is a little more mixed and you’d like to see him produce something like his best form before jumping back on the bandwagon. He’ll have his chance to roll forward onto the pace and it’s up to Frosty to rock from there.

Frosty Rocks (Pic: Steve Hart)

3. Tamahere (Annabel Neasham): Started $26 on his Australian debut in this race last year and chased a genuine speed before holding on quite well beaten two lengths. Failed in a Group 3 after that. Things are a little different off this almost 12 month break, she’s had three trials and it’s fair to say they’ve been mixed to the eye, and she’s drawn the inside barrier as opposed to the car park in her two previous runs. Would like a bit of a market push closer to the race but has the set up to run a cheeky race.

4. Art Cadeau (Terry Robinson): A victim of a solidly run 1400m here a month ago when he was unable to find a spot despite drawing barrier five and found himself three deep without cover for the duration. Thought he actually boxed on not too badly at the finish. Subtle gear chance and you’d think he can find some cover this time with some speed drawn wider out to come across. Last win was over this course in May last year and if he produces his best he’s an upset chance.

5. Baby Rider (Bjorn Baker): Just the one Australian start and that was in the Goulburn Cup back in October where he was a $9.50 chance and beat one home. He was three wide near the speed for the majority but did drop out noticeably. Given some time and two trials leading in, he was asked for some effort in the latest, it wouldn’t surprise if he showed more though his overseas form suggests we’ll see his best beyond a mile.

6. Cisco Bay (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Durable galloper chasing his first stakes win and he relished a speed on up front when he charged over the top to win over this course a month ago. Rises 1kg and draws soft so it’ll be interesting to see where he lands in the run this time after giving a huge start in his win. It’s likely he’ll be in the second half of the field and needing a bit of luck to wind up. Great record this track and distance and if he could be presented with a soft 5 it would be ideal. Regardless, should run well.

7. Hosier (Mark Minervini): Changed stables and owners since his last start in the Muswellbrook Cup back at the end of March where he was a $3.70 favourite and battled a bit. He wants some rain to arrive and soften the track up so if that hasn’t happened to connections’ liking by Saturday morning he may not be here. Likes to be near the speed and best efforts are good enough, he did win over the mile here in October.

8. Tycoonist (SCRATCHED).

9. Longvillers (Chris Waller): This import looks to be loving life based on his couple of recent trials and is a huge dark horse in this race. Perhaps that’s the decision to geld him taking effect. Landed here in the spring and ran a nice race in the Five Diamonds before finishing at the back in the Group 2 Ingham. Not sure where he’ll find himself from the barrier but he would appreciate a genuine tempo to be most effective at 1400m fresh. Keep safe.

10. Ucalledit (Kris Lees): There’s a chance he hasn’t quite come up this preparation but at the same time he’s kept somewhat safe in the market because he hasn’t been disgraced in three runs back. However, he hasn’t really attacked the line. Drops 5kg on his last run here two weeks ago where he was being ridden along before the turn and just held his ground. Was in super form in Brisbane in the spring and early summer winning a stakes race at this trip. Needs to find that form.

11. Bonny Ezra (Chris Waller): All things equal he should find this too sharp for him first-up. Yet to win below 1550m and his only first-up win was his maiden victory at that trip back in 2019. He’s a handy middle distance performer who won the ATC Cup at 2000m third-up last time in so wait for him to feature as he gets closer to that sort of trip.

12. Waihaha Falls (John O’Shea): There’s been a bit expected of him since he smashed the opposition in two 1200m sprints at Randwick last winter and while he hasn’t won since he’s performed honestly at a good level. Probably should have won the Sydney Stakes on Everest Day and he’s been stakes placed twice. Worked home well without threatening behind Opal Ridge at Scone on a good track. He might just be that couple of lengths better when he can get the toe in so if some rain arrives and they’re able to run on he’ll be very popular.

Cotehele (Pic: Steve Hart)

13. Cotehele (John O’Shea): Generally a horse that likes to be in the first half of the field if not closer but he reacted sensationally to being covered up, after jumping only fairly, in his win at Rosehill a month ago. Spent quite some time climbing over their backs but when a gap opened he sprouted wings under 59kg. Tickover trial win since and down to 54kg here but has the outside gate to contend with. Does he go back and look to swoop again or follow Frosty over and look to get on speed? That question makes him harder to assess but he's effective either way.

14. Acquitted (Kris Lees): Game effort to place in the Scone Cup and boxed on honestly again with a month between runs when fifth behind Democracy Manifest two weeks ago, both on good tracks. He has a stat that’s proven so far quite significant with three of his four wins, and both Australian wins, coming on heavy tracks. He did swoop brilliantly to win a Provincial-Midway Championships qualifier so if that’s the pattern of the day he could be a factor, should some rain have fallen.

15E. King Of Hastings (Anthony & Sam Freedman): Quite a nice performance first-up from a spell, and a shade unlucky, over 1300m two weeks ago. Found himself back in the field off a good gate and while the winner came from behind him he didn’t have the chance to wind up but was strong late to run into third. He’ll no doubt be better for the run and has to be considered. Last win was the Glasshouse at 1400m in 2021.

16E. Fox Fighter (David Payne): Can be hit and miss but he can also produce a handy finish when in the mood as he showed running into third behind Think About It in the Takeover Target at Gosford. Thought he was just fair last time even though he was tightened up a bit for room midway down the straight. Last 1400m attempt was back in December and he ran on into fourth behind Superium in an open handicap. So he’s not the worst.

17E. Surreal Step (SCRATCHED).

18E. Lady Of Luxury (Bjorn Baker): Roared back to form with a near last to first win over 1300m here second-up from a break, the same race as King Of Hastings. A look back to last preparation sees her placed behind Mariamia and running third under 59kg at 1400m behind Niffler both on wet tracks. The barrier probably sees her ridden similarly to last time and if she gains a start she’s entitled to consideration.

SELECTIONS:
6 CISCO BAY
13 Cotehele
4 Art Cadeau
9 Longvillers

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