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By Nick Berney

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 8 # 1 – MILITARIZE

Keen on him, he brings a superior profile relative to his rivals into this event. The colt was solid first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) when running second, splitting Fangirl and subsequent Group 1 winner Think It Over. Further, the late market trade suggested he could only improve off that effort, and his ratings/sectionals support this. The Chris Waller-trained galloper goes from WFA back against his own age and second-up last prep; he won the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), producing one of his career peak figures. In addition, his SP in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) last campaign must be respected, and champion jockey James McDonald rides from an inside draw giving him a tactical advantage.

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 10 # 13 – TINTOOKIE

She is on the quick backup after having excuses last start at this track/distance in a high-rating race. The mare was blocked for a run at a critical stage, losing her momentum and forced back into the inferior ground, but still found the line well. Further, she clocked one of the meeting's fastest final 200m splits and brings the all-important race fitness edge into this event. Expect her to be smothered away throughout transit, and she has the closing speed to run over the top of her rivals.

Espionage (Pic: Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 5 # 3 – ESPIONAGE

His return had sectional merit in the Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens when running a solid second to stablemate Straight Charge. The colt took a trail, built through his gears and went through the line full of energy. The clock backed up the visuals, and he recorded the fastest final 200m split of the meeting at 11.12. He gets a much more suitable setup here, switching to Randwick over 1200m, and although drawn wide, that has been factored too much into his price. Nash Rawiller sticks, and he may get the track pattern to suit.

HAWKESBURY – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 3 # 8 – FAKHRA

Like her, everything about her profile suggests she is set to peak fourth-up over more ground. The four-year-old has stepped each run from a ratings perspective this prep and was honest last start at Newcastle in a race that produced a high-rating last section. She had every chance but ran fast closing splits and indicating a rise in trip is ideal. Further, the form out of that race has since been proven with two subsequent winners. She maps to have all her favours and marked her clear favourite.

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