Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

Lots of trial form to dissect in the two-year-old event and came back to the $1.5m colt 6. Switzerland who hasn’t really been exposed fully in his two trials. He’s found the line nicely from back in the field in both but it’s hard to know what he’s really got. This race should be truly run and he has the advantage of an inside gate if he can hold a reasonable position. Expect he’ll be strong late and could run over the top.

Dangers: 5. Russian Roulette was a $360,000 buy and he’s been solid in two trial wins leading into this debut where he’s drawn wide. That’s not such a big deal over the 1000m at Randwick but it may mean he has to work overtime to lead if that’s the plan. Wouldn’t put anything past a Waterhouse/Bott two-year-old at the moment. 2. Deputize, a $500,000 colt, won the trial in which Switzerland finished third and it’s fair to say he showed a lot more of what he's got in that gallop. That might be good enough at 1000m off a handy gate and he can’t be overlooked. 15. Blue Illusion has the Shangri La Express form through that horse's debut win and with a break he could have some upside. Chased Russian Roulette in his trial but drawn to get a nice run.

How to play it: Switzerland WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Switzerland runs third in a Rosehill trial on January 11

13. Magnatear has the most upside and good form around him so if he can get the breaks through the field he’s a good chance to score. Proved his Hawkesbury run a lie with his slashing third behind Buillt, who of course has won again, finishing alongside Matusalem. Back to Midway grade suits and if he can hold about a midfield spot and get the run at the right time he’s hard to hold off.

Dangers: 1. Patrika Mist has a strong winning record and there’s no reason why she can’t be strong at the Randwick mile after her all the way win at Rosehill against several of her rivals here. Probably unlikely that she’ll lead but has the claim and the draw to be prominent. Definite chance. 8. Satness may not have loved the heavy track first-up in the Moruya Cup but he wasn’t disgraced. All four wins are at the mile including a Midway here back in September. Likely improver. 2. Jumeirah Beach had his chance when favourite behind Patrika Mist at Rosehill and meets her slightly worse at the weights. But he’s honest and will be in this for a long way again.

How to play it: Magnatear EACH-WAY ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Magnatear runs third at Randwick on January 6

2. Acappella Sun goes to 1200m for the first time this preparation and that could be key as she’s been giving away big starts over shorter courses in four runs back. She’s been excellent in each of them or had excuses and looks to have the set up to get her big chance. Her last win saw her box seat then race away over 1200m at Rosehill in June and it seems she might get a similar passage. Jockey knows her well and hard to see her not featuring.

Dangers: 9. Swift Charm finished off his race with purpose behind Penthouse first-up and the extra 100m will be in his favour. Draws to be in a good spot again and is a danger. 4. Blow Dart comes through the same race where he ran his usual honest race to finish third. Yet to win at 1200m but he rarely runs a bad race and has to be included again. 16. Atmospheric Rock is a Highway regular and did run a nice fourth to Wizard Of Oz in one of these back in September when fresh last prep. Trial was nice enough and he’s one to keep an eye on.

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

Acappella Sun’s last start at Randwick on December 30

This race has taken a hit with numbers and pace. Landed on 1. Glory Daze who hasn’t raced for six weeks since a game effort to go down narrowly to Grebeni in open company over this course. That looks the right form and he showed in that race he has some tactical speed which should come in handy in the small field. If all in order he’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Battleton has simply been getting too far out of his ground of late for various reasons but he could be very dangerous here. Drew the outside at the Gold Coast and went right back so to be beaten 2.6 lengths in the Magic Millions Cup was a good effort. Gate one and he has a good chance to break through. 5. Stonecoat could be a sharp improver, particularly if he gets control in front. In the market fresh but dropped out to be well beaten but down 5kg and he could take some catching. 4. Redstone Well hit the line nicely at his Australian debut when unfancied, thought he was better than stablemate Hellsing, who was heavily backed, so interesting to see if he improves.

How to play it: Glory Daze WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds).

Glory Daze runs second at Randwick on December 16

8. Canadian Ruler appeals at each-way odds as he seems to be building to a peak performance, and has struck a wide open race. Showed as a two-year-old he’s got city class ability and now steps to the mile after a closing second over 1300m at Wyong under 60kg. Can see him landing just off what looks to be a genuine pace and running into the finish.

Dangers: 5. Castillian was solid in betting third-up at Kensington and while he had his chance he should be better for it as he steps up in distance. Importantly, he has a soft gate for the first time this prep so keen to keep him in the mix. 6. Don Pedro backed up a handy first-up placing with a solid third at Rosehill two weeks ago after leading. If he can keep up the good work he's in the mix here. 2. Malabar made a promising return going down narrowly at Canterbury. Fitter for that and chance to roll forward and put himself in the race.

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

Canadian Ruler runs second at Wyong on January 6

10. Floating is flying this time in and it’s fair to say he would have made things interesting with Louisville at Rosehill had he gained a clear shot sooner. Shapes as though 2000m will be right up his alley and while you’d love a soft track for him he’s shown in his last couple he can be effective on top of the ground. Has to run well.

Dangers: 6. Louisville can’t be undersold, he did win that race but was entitled to with the run he was afforded. That said, he’s ultra consistent and if he can stretch out that extra 200m he’ll be hard to beat. 3. Manbehindthemoney could find himself in front here as he did when winning over this course in July. Fitter for two runs back plus a tickover trial and will have every chance to fire. 9. Aristonous is a little on notice after two unplaced runs since his promising return over this trip in December. Down on the limit and Jason Collett seems to know him well so not prepared to put a line through him just yet.

How to play it: Floating EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Floating runs second at Rosehill on January 13

2. Ucalledit might get the right set up with a genuine pace guaranteed here. He was dominant winning the Winter Stakes and Civic Stakes over this course back in the winter coming off strong tempos from a spot about fifth or sixth in running which could be the scenario we’re dealing with. He has been effective first-up but his lead up trial showed he’s in order. Good each-way hope.

Dangers: Speaking of chances at odds 3. Bold Mac could surprise fresh. He is trialling very well and has been known to run well off a break. His sweet spot seems to be 1600m-1800m so resuming at this trip isn’t foreign so he’s worth some thought. 6. Waihaha Falls was brilliant coming from last for a breakthrough win over this course five weeks ago defying a betting drift. He’ll love a strong tempo and no reason why he won’t be hitting the line strongly as usual. Big watch on 4. Maximal resuming as a gelding off over a year’s absence. Won his first trial in good style then backed off in his second. Better over further but has the class to be an upset chance. A little negative on 12. Felix Majestic off a tough run but if they somehow leave him alone he could take running down.

How to play it: Ucalledit EACH-WAY ($11 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ucalledit’s trial at Newcastle on January 5

Prepared to give 11. Boston Rocks another chance. Didn’t think he settled overly well at Rosehill last start and he didn’t have anything left for the finish. Started a solid favourite on the back of a strong first-up win a month earlier. Will be fitter for the run, lands in a perfect spot from gate one and at the price he’s well worth forgiving one bad run.

Dangers: 10. Union Army finished over the top to win that race and commands respect once again. He does have that negative racing pattern and from the gate he will most likely be giving away a start, so the pattern could be crucial with the rail out. But if it’s all fair play he should be hard to hold off. 3. Legio Ten disappointed a little behind Kinloch three weeks ago but comes back in class. Cops a weight rise for that placement but he rarely runs a bad race so is capable of bouncing back. 8. Bandi's Boy might be in need of the run first-up but he did trial well recently at Moruya and was game in a strong country race on Big Dance day before a spell.

How to play it: Boston Rocks EACH-WAY ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Boston Rocks’ last start at Rosehill on January 13

2. High Blue Sea was brilliant first-up from a long break scoring an easy win over 1300m at Rosehill to weeks ago. Always hard to back up such a big first-up win but has a much kinder set up in this race and has shown an ability to race forward if needed in his two previous wins. If he can hold his form from two weeks ago then he’s a big chance.

Dangers: 6. Amor Victorious looks to be trialling very well in the lead up to this and he’s one to be very wary of. Ran well first-up last prep then kept improving to post successive city wins before a midfield Dubbo Cup finish. Draws nicely and commands respect. 3. Crafty Eagle hasn’t had a great preparation so far but with gate one and a gear change he could be the big improver as he has the ability to win a race like this. Overdid it here last time over the mile and can’t dismiss him. 1. Estadio Mestalla tried very hard when resuming at Rosehill, pushing forward and going down narrowly behind Rubamos. May have to go forward again from the wide gate and keeping him safe again with the big class drop.

How to play it: High Blue Sea WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

High Blue Sea wins at Rosehill on January 13

1. Junqueira has to get the first part of her race, jumping cleanly, right and if she does she’ll take some beating back to this grade. Impressive winning at the Gold Coast three weeks ago then backed up into the Magic Millions F&M event and ran a gallant fourth after making a mess of the start. Blinkers go on as does Nash so that offsets the 61kg to a degree and if she’s on their backs coming to the turn she’ll be hard to deny.

Dangers: 3. Either Oar was too tough first-up from outside the lead then settled off speed and wasn’t disgraced at Rosehill last time. Has the claim and likely to take full advantage of gate two and lead, run them along, and she could be hard to catch if not pressured. 7. Tashi is trialling in good style for a return and has the right draw to be just off the speed. Has to step up in class from her last couple at Canterbury before a spell but rarely fails so have to include her. 4. Winning Verse found herself in front when resuming at Rosehill and just paddled a bit late first-up at the 1200m. Fitter for it, she probably won’t be leading this time but if she gets the right run she’s good enough to be in the finish.

How to play it: Junqueira WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Junqueira runs fourth at Gold Coast on January 13

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