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By Ray Hickson

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

A two-year-old race very much up for grabs. 7. Denman Star presented to win at Warwick Farm at his third start and just found himself outgunned late over the 1000m scamper. Different set up here, up 200m and with blinkers on he shapes to get a run behind the speed and be produced to pounce. Expect this will be his best run so far and if that’s the case he’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Hachiman was only warming up late in the Wyong Magic Millions on debut so there’ll likely be plenty of improvement in the locker. He may have to concede a start again but Randwick should suit him better. Looks a threat. 10. Energized is an interesting runner from the Godolphin camp. Was right in the market on debut at Sandown and was always out the back after a bit of a bump early on. He’s been back to the jumps outs since then and has blinkers on. Draw a question mark but happy to keep him safe. 5. The Little Pumper seemed to have his chance on speed in the Inglis Nursery but perhaps he was outsprinted a little there. Better for it and the 1200m should offer the chance to be more comfortable from the soft draw. Open to improvement.

How to play it: Denman Star E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Denman Star runs second at Warwick Farm on December 21

5. Super Extreme led home a trifecta for his trainer Cameron Crockett in scoring a dominant win in a Class 2 Highway two weeks ago and there’s no reason why he can’t repeat the dose. Stays on 56.5kg and draws slightly better than last time when he jumped from the outside and left them without excuses. Sure to run well again.

Dangers: 2. Zaru was in the market in the same race and he was stranded four wide without cover throughout and his effort to run sixth was huge. Still has a sticky draw to deal with but down a little in weight and fitter for two runs from a two month break. Any luck and he can be right in the finish. 11. Indicative was only second-up when he led and held on for third behind Super Extreme and of the trio in the placings there he could be the one open to the most improvement. Likely to land on the speed if not the lead again and is a good chance. 3. Lockdown Gamble is more than capable on his day and it’s worth forgiving his failure at Kembla in a Highway in mid-November. Was a close fourth in a similar race to this at Rosehill prior to that and from the inside gate it wouldn’t surprise if he’s in the finish.

How to play it: Super Extreme WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Super Extreme wins at Randwick on December 17

2. Garza Blanca was enormous in defeat when chasing home Felix Majestic at Rosehill four weeks ago. He found himself near last and held up at a crucial stage before flashing home into second, running 32.79 for his last 600m. He’s going to be very popular and well and truly entitled to be a short priced favourite.

Dangers: 3. Daytona had a freshen up before returning at Canterbury a few weeks ago. Beaten just over a length there at 1100m and made some ground. Fitter for that and much better suited at the 1300m where he should be able to race closer to the speed. Or set it. Commands some respect. 4. Yoshino ran fourth in the same race as Garza Blanca first-up then back a notch in class and just failed behind the in-form Walkin’talkin’. Can be around the mark again. 7. Strait Acer is an up and comer straight out of maiden company but it was an impressive win at Kensington at just his second start. Kept fresh with a tickover trial. He should be strong at the finish.

How to play it: Garza Blanca WIN . Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Garza Blanca runs second at Rosehill on December 3

8. Po Kare Kare has a big finish on her when she finds the right circumstances as we’ve seen a couple of times, most recently in her very soft Gosford win in June. Both fresh efforts have been eye-catchers and while both wins have been second-up to date she will get last call at them here and could finish over the top. Couple of nice trials, soft gate, Nash rides. Plenty to like.

Dangers: 2. Pretty Wild is another that’s shown plenty of talent and she’s now six weeks between runs since her nice first-up second at Kembla in November. Yet to finish worse than second and if all is in order, check the market, she’ll be hard to beat. 6. Edna is racing through the grades with three wins and a second from her past four starts. The last couple at Canterbury ad she’s been able to control things on the speed and keep the chasers at bay. Could measure up to this tougher grade now. 5. Starboreta did beat Pretty Wild at Kembla then went up in class and was beaten three lengths by Vreneli. Back into fillies and mares company so worth another chance.

How to play it: Po Kare Kare WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Po Kare Kare’s trial at Hawkesbury on December 19

Always had a bit of time for the grey 2. Oakfield Duke. He strung four wins together before failing when up to 1300m and given a break. He relished a fast run trial at Wyong recently and did it so easily so prepared to stick with him. He’ll put himself in the first half from a soft draw and hopefully he can get a shot at them at the right time. Read trainer Kristen Buchanan's comments here.

Dangers: 8. Italian Informant might be a little underestimated, chased Democracy Manifest home before a spell and both runs back have been excellent including a strong finishing win at Warwick Farm over 1000m. Third horse has since won. 16. Miss Fox ran second in that race and she hit the line quite nicely in behind them. She has mixed her form at times but gets in well with the claim and is an each-way chance. 7. Holy Tycoon hasn’t raced since October when he chased home the smart Kote in a Midway on a heavy 10. Beat Fox Fighter in September and is a pretty honest customer. Worth keeping an eye on.

How to play it: Oakfield Duke WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Oakfield Duke wins a trial at Wyong on December 16

3. Steely has been threatening to win a race for a while this campaign and has another chance to snatch one here. Beaten favourite at 2000m two runs back but either side of that was runner-up to Nugget, a stakes winner since, and he gave that horse a real run for his money here three weeks ago. Down 4kg with the claim and is entitled to be in the finish again.

Dangers: 1. Jojo Was A Man backs up after a strong win over this course last weekend and while he’s up in class he’s the equal highest rated horse in the race so with 56.5kg after the claim isn’t badly in. He’s a consistent on pace type who will likely track the speed again and make a bid for victory. 2. Purple Sector has run second to the likes of Top Ranked, Old Flame and Diamil this time in and he was probably a bit too far back when back to 1400m last time. Right in this on his best efforts. 7. Mach Schnell is another backing up after a win over the mile here last week, his in BM78 grade, but drops from 59kg to 50.5kg and could take some catching as he’ll be somewhere on the speed.

How to play it: Steely WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Steely runs second at Randwick on December 10

4. Tony Be is holding his form quite well since a second-up win and comes back a notch in grade after a fast closing second over this course two weeks ago. He does need the race to pan out for him, as he’ll likely drift back a bit, but he does have a strong late burst and if allowed to produce it at the right time he’ll go close.

Dangers: 7. Oz Legend should be a big improver up to 2000m second-up from a break. While he wasn’t a factor when returning over a mile he was only beaten three lengths and on his efforts around this trip in the late winter/early spring he could easily run into the placings. 2. Ain’tnodeeldun is a Victorian who is well exposed. Showed plenty of early promise though lately he’s been a little enigmatic. Much better effort last time at Sandown when narrowly beaten over 1800m. Placed at this trip in April and worth including. 5. Too Much Caviar is on trial at the 2000m but he’s back in form with a tough all the way win over a mile at Warwick Farm. Could get a soft lead and if he does he’ll give a kick.

How to play it: Tony Be E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tony Be runs second at Randwick on December 17

4. Dehorned Unicorn tried valiantly to run down I Am Me over 1200m here second-up but the mare proved a little too strong. Back 100m looks a plus, and while up in weight he’s down in class and it’s only a matter of time before he graduates back to the higher grade. He has a big finish on him as we saw first-up and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 12. Vowmaster was beaten by the narrowest of margins first-up for over 18 months over the 1000m here two weeks ago. He’s always had a bit of a rap on him and it was good to see him return positively. Whether the second-up syndrome gets him after such a long break and short turnaround remains to be seen. 6. Sacrimony has been good in both runs back from a spell for seconds at Kembla and Randwick. Fair to say he had his chance last time behind Iowna Merc but has a strong rider on and should be near peak. Go well again. 11. Lancaster Bomber always goes around at each-way odds and often puts himself in the placings, as he did first-up in the same race as Vowmaster. Drawn well and one to throw into the trifectas.

How to play it: Dehorned Unicorn WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Dehorned Unicorn runs second at Randwick on December 17

3 Kettle Hill would be the most interesting runner of the meeting and betting will be a significant pointer. He’s an import who made his Australian debut at Sandown over 1400m, and had some support, and he found a fair amount of traffic coming from the back before weaving into fourth behind Savannah Cloud and looking very strong on the line. He should love the Randwick mile, perhaps there’s shades of Nugget about him, and has to go on top.

Dangers: 9. King Ratel loves Randwick and he overcame a moderately run race to score in Midway company over this course three weeks back. He’s a backmarker and will be running on as usual. 12. Arnold is proving a little costly with three defeats as favourite on end. He’s up in class on his return behind Lekvarte but he might relish a sharp drop in the weights. Prepared to include him and give another chance. 8. Arnaqueur has found some consistency since being gelded and goes back to the mile now after four runs at 1400m. Kanazawa was behind him last start so the form is sound and he’ll be thereabouts. 11. Banju ran fourth in that race and is another capable of being in the finish.

How to play it: Kettle Hill WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.

That's three wins in a row for 🐎 Savannah Cloud! ✅✅✅@pstokesracing pic.twitter.com/KncenXUNc7

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 10, 2022

12. With Your Blessing is a progressive type who is going to need some luck and a good ride but looks well placed to continue his rise. Came with a well timed run to comfortably take a Midway here two weeks back and just seems to be the horse capable of taking another step or two above this class. If he does get a fair shout at them he’ll go close.

Dangers: 8. Show Some Decorum is on the back up after a very nice second behind Kalino last week in what might prove to be a strong race. The barrier might be a bit more of a worry for him but if he can repeat the performance he’s right in it. A close second to Old Flame at 1400m from back in March reads well for this sort of race. 9. Two Big Fari could surprise fresh at a trip that he can be competitive over. He’s just a tough on pacer who has drawn to be prominent and does tend to race well first-up. Worth including in the mix. 11. Soami seemed to have his chance behind Democracy Manifest last time but previous three runs were honest at this sort of level. Capable of surprising.

How to play it: With Your Blessing WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

With Your Blessing wins at Randwick on December 17

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