Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Tuesday’s Randwick meeting. Selections based on a good track.

1. Flying Bandit gives away a bit of weight but is a horse with plenty of promise and had things go his way when coasting home at Hawkesbury. Form around El Castello and State Of America reads well for this race and from the draw in the small field will have every chance to win again.

Dangers: 2. Satness might get some on pace favours though he does seem at his best around the mile. Held them off on a heavy 10 a month ago then back on top of the ground at Kembla boxed on okay for third. If left along he could give a sight. 6. Waverley is getting out to his preferred distance range now after two runs back from a spell. Had support in the same race as Satness last time and was a bit one paced but he should improve here. 3. Highborn Harry is racing well of late and comes back in trip after scoring over 2000m on a heavy last time. Freshened up, whether the shorter trip is against him is the query.

How to play it: Flying Bandit WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flying Bandit wins at Hawkesbury on October 24

5. Ticklebelly has had a few shots at a Highway and just failed over this track and distance when resuming in late September. Kept on the fresh side and had a tickover trial. She looks well placed here if she can match that last start performance.

Dangers: 12. Tai Lung is a perennial Highway performer and also hasn’t raced since running third in the same Highway. Rarely too far away and has drawn a barrier for a change so he might have his chance. 1. Duke Of Bronte was rolled as a $1.50 favourite at Queanbeyan back in July having won his previous two by big spaces. No public trials but expect he’s had jump outs and if he’s solid in the market he’ll be in the finish. 7. Take The Rap is an up and comer with three wins from four starts and this is his first Highway attempt. Solid winner in both runs at Wagga this time in, had a trial since, and could easily measure up.

How to play it: Ticklebelly WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ticklebelly runs second at Randwick on September 21

1. Chorlton Lane will need a bit of early luck but it’s not a big field and he’s right back in grade on his three recent starts where he’s run well. Close up in the Cameron two back then ran on from last in the Big Dance Wild Card. Has a smart claim and won’t get a better chance.

Dangers: 2. King Of The Castle is an honest performer who was big odds when he resumed with a close up fifth at Randwick behind Willaidow in a good form race. Always improves with a run under his belt and likes this track. Logical danger. 3. Cuban Royale has been freshened up since finishing well back off a wide gate behind Ostraka here on Epsom Day. Liked the way he hit the line in his trial last week and while he’s not getting any younger he’s capable of surprising. 6. Hollywood Hero has hit the line well a few times of late and is always dangerous. A little below par last time in the Coonamble Cup but drops 5kg and capable of better.

How to play it: Chorlton Lane WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Chorlton Lane runs third at Randwick on October 19

10. Island Dec had to jump from 1000m to 1400m and tackle Group 3 company last time and she handled herself very well to be beaten 1.6 lengths by Aeliana. That form has been confirmed since and while she has drawn out she’s a backmarker anyway and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 2. Los Padres is back in class after a very handy sixth in a Midway here just over a week ago where she ran on from well back and into restricted room late. Up 5kg but looks not far off a win. 13. Titanium Miss comes through the same race as Island Dec and finished just ahead of her after racing handy to the speed. Worth including in the chances. 1. Blazing Harry is an interesting runner who has placed twice in provincial Victoria this time in and was a beaten favourite at Pakenham on heavy ground last time. Showed promise as a two-year-old and could feature with some luck.

How to play it: Island Dec WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Island Dec’s last start at Randwick on October 19

12. Tavi Time has promised to be a smart miler for some time and he arrives here third-up after a soft win under 60kg at Warwick Farm. Gets in with just 53kg, draws well and has the right racing style to suggest he’ll likely hit the lead at some point in the straight. If he does he’ll be hard to stop.

Dangers: 4. Gringotts has been narrowly beaten in both lead up runs in good quality races and is the logical horse to beat but his chances have been hit a little by the wide barrier. If you’re going to draw wide, though, the Randwick mile is somewhat forgiving. Big threat. 1. Here To Shock held Gringotts off to win the Alan Brown and barrier one means he will get plenty of favours in the run. Just has the 62kg to carry over the mile but he is hard to ignore. 5. Sky Lab has had an identical preparation to going into his Scone Cup win first-up last time in with four barrier trials. Will give away a start but he’s a definite each-way chance.

How to play it: Tavi Time WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tavi Time wins at Warwick Farm on October 16

8. Bianco Vilano is very well in with just 54kg considering his overall form and he was far from disgraced running fifth in the Country Championships Final before a break after drawing the outside and coming from last. Trialled up strongly for a big first-up run.

Dangers: 12. Lonhro’s Queen was freshened before running second to Gallant Star at Dubbo then up in class she was close up behind Pharari in a handy form race at Rosehill. Tuned up with a tickover trial and is a good each-way chance. 6. Gallant Star was probably a shade disappointing late in the Kosciuszko, given Asgarda come from many lengths behind him to beat him home, and he’ll have a wide gate to contend with. If he gets the breaks he’s good enough to win but may be unders. 7. Rainbow Connection ran fourth in the Country Championships and showed he’s back in form with a solid second at Doomben under 60kg last time. Every chance from the inside alley.

How to play it: Bianco Vilano EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bianco Vilano wins an Albury trial on October 26

5. Estadio Mestalla showed he’s on target with a top second-up effort at Randwick in a great form race, he hit a flat spot early in the straight but recovered to get within three-quarters of a length. Mile credentials are excellent and drawn perfectly for him. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Waterford will be a major stumbling block as he comes through a close third in the Alan Brown behind two of the leading Big Dance contenders. Just a consistent performer and with 62kg a soft draw suits. 2. Loch Eagle won the Ingham last year and was racing so well then, not quite in the same form but his Cameron run was good before being outclassed in the Epsom. Nice trial win since and wouldn’t shock if he showed up. 15. Sharp Shock won the Coonamble Cup in good style then dropped to 1100m and was still too good under 63kg at Scone. Back to the mile and while drawn wide with an 11kg drop in weight he’ll be hitting the line.

How to play it: Estadio Mestalla WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Estadio Mestalla runs fourth at Randwick on October 19

8. Jedibeel comes through the grades quickly last prep, his first as a gelding, and showed he’s returned in good style with an easy trial win two weeks ago. Can race anywhere in a field and best form is at this trip. He should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Moravia is racing well this time in and his form around Ostraka reads well for this. Perhaps the 1300m was as far as he wants in the Silver Eagle so back in trip and drawn well he’s one of the main chances. 2. Dragonstone had a minor issue after running a game fourth in The Shorts and he’ll find this easier than taking on the Everest horses. Won one from 13 at this track but rarely too far away. 5. Pereille can never be left out and while he’s drawn wide it’s not as bad as it looks as there’s virtually a straight run to the turn. Fitter for two trials, goes well fresh and has claims.

How to play it: Jedibeel WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Jedibeel wins a Randwick trial on October 22

5. Bojangles is probably not a 1000m horse but gets a nice set up to run well fresh on the back of a couple of very nice trial wins. Kicked off last prep with a win and was consistent through the campaign. From the draw he’ll do no work and should be strong late.

Dangers: 4. South Of India is hard to fault with five wins from six starts and resumes since that amazing win here where he scouted the outside fence in July. Trials have been good and he’s a threat. 2. Headwall was a beaten favourite at 1200m at Doomben last time out and coming back to this trip is a plus for him. Will get back a bit but has a strong finish if he finds the right horse to follow. 7. Dehorned Unicorn made a promising start to the prep with a nice third at Warwick Farm last month. If he can back that up then he could find himself in the placings again.

How to play it: Bojangles WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bojangles wins a Hawkesbury trial on October 28

8. Gently Rolled did more than enough when resuming at Rosehill to say she’s ready to continue her trend of firing second-up. Finished off well late behind Pharari, drops 2kg and gets out to 1200m. If she’s in touch at the 200m she’ll be hard to hold off.

Dangers: 6. Deprivation is a front-running type in good form and was only collared late when third at Kensington a month ago. Down in weight and drawn to be in this a long way. 3. Dalaalaat is always dangerous and if he runs up to his third behind Moravia here two back he’s right in this. Didn’t run on last time but less depth in this race and he can lift. 5. Ningaloo Star hasn’t raced for two months and is an honest on pace mare who can be competitive. Last win was this track and trip on heavy ground in July.

How to play it: Gently Rolled WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Gently Rolled runs sixth at Rosehill on October 12

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday’s Big Dance meeting at Randwick