Speed Maps Specials for Randwick 3 March 2018

• Mar 01, 2018 07:10 AM
• Steve Hart
• Author: Michael Gannon

Kiwi raider gets an ideal set-up

The rail is out 3m at Randwick this Saturday with a mostly fine weather forecast. After a deluge of rain earlier in the week, the track is currently rated a Soft 7 with a very good chance of improving into the Good 4 range come race one. A dry Randwick track with the rail out 3m tends to suit on-pace runners especially over the shorter distances, with rails in the run preferred. 

We have singled out two races where the majority of runners engaged lack early speed. This should provide a moderate race tempo, and combined with the predicted track bias suiting on-pace runners, draws out two Speed Map Specials for you to follow.  

Randwick Race 2 #3 Almost Court

Was impressive from the front last start, running moderate sectionals in the lead to dead-heat for first. Over the same track and distance and with limited speed engaged this time around, it’s likely we’ll see the gelding repeat that effort here.

Drawn barrier four, expect jockey Christian Reith to head straight to the rails and reel off some steady sectionals in front. The only other runner with the potential to be on-pace is the Chris Waller trained Xebec, who has the blinkers on for the first time but is dropping back in distance and hasn’t led in any of his runs this preparation.

Almost Court is a proven winner with a record of 13 starts for 6 wins and should get a soft lead on a track that will offer on-pace favours. The remainder of this field are plodders with the exception of Just Shine, who will get too far back in this race.

Almost Court is currently $4 fixed odds.

Randwick Race 8 #8 Francaletta

Makes the trip across the Tasman and she finds a suitable race here. This tough kiwi on-pacer has an outstanding career record of six wins from nine starts, is two wins from two starts first-up and thrives over the 1400m distance with three wins from five starts.

The only other on-pace runner of note is favourite Dixie Blossoms who won this race last year on a heavy track, however being so early in her preparation it’s unlikely connections will opt to take the Kiwi on for the lead.

Kerrin McEvoy is on board and has forged a reputation as one of the best on-pace riders in the in the country. Drawn the widest barrier, McEvoy will be able to take his time crossing the field with 450m until the first turn. Expect McEvoy to rate the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman mare perfectly in-front, and if he can steal some cheap sectionals, the Kiwi raider will be tough to run down. 

Francaletta is currently $9.50 fixed odds.