Latest News

By Nick Berney

In Secret (Pic: Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 7 # 1 – In Secret

The Group 1 winning filly started a well-fancied $1.95 favourite first-up in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), and she won with ease. Jockey Nash Rawiller rode her patiently, with finesse, and only asked for her an effort over the final furlong. Further, she showed the key asset of acceleration and went through the line full of energy, clocking one of the meeting's fastest final 200m splits. She faces an almost identical field, excluding Zougotcha in this event. The last time she stretched out to this distance, she was only narrowly beaten by subsequent Group 1 winner Jacquinot in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m). In addition, she brings a dominant ratings/sectional profile relative to her rivals, maps to have all favours with Hugh Bowman riding and will be hard to beat with even luck.

ROYAL RANDWICK – NEXT BEST: Race 10 # 16 – Sonora

Went to a new level last start producing a career peak figure, and her win was full of merit. The mare was given no peace after chasing a fast tempo and then was still able to sprint away from her rivals at the top of the straight. To further the merit of her performance, the other on-pace runners were well beaten, and the time/margins confirmed the quality of the race. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace runner rises in grade, but she draws barrier one and only has 50kg on her back after the astute claim for apprentice Zac Lloyd. Moreover, she brings the best last-start figure and will take some catching.

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: RACE 1 # 1 – Dalaalaat

Finally had a positive race setup last start for the first time this prep, and he was a dominant winner. The gelding was well ridden by Dylan Gibbons, who weaved a passage through the field, and once in clear air, he asserted his dominance over the final furlong. The clock backed up his visual authority, and he ran one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting in 11.38. He is 42 days between runs but races well off freshen-ups and has trialled pleasingly between runs. Expect him to hit the line late.

Profondo (Pic: Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – HORSE TO WATCH: Race 9 # 1 – Profondo

One of the more intriguing runners of the day is Profondo, who returns and he profiles well for this event. First-up last prep, he ran a brave third behind Anamoe in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), where he raced wide throughout and still sprinted one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting. He has an outstanding record on dry tracks when going in the clockwise direction, receives multiple gear changes, and this is the easiest race he has contested in some time. Expect a positive ride early, and he can bounce back into the winner's stall.

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK (DUAL ACCEPTOR): Race 3/3 & 6/14 – Avebury

Has come back improved in her second preparation, and she broke through for her maiden win in style last start at Kembla. The three-year-old ran 4.5-5 lengths quicker overall time in comparison to another maiden over the same track/distance that day. Further, she clocked one of the fastest final 400m splits of the meeting, and there has been a subsequent winner to confirm the form. At this stage, the John O'Shea runner is a dual acceptor but looks well placed in both events to make the step in grade.

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