Royal Randwick plays host to seven Group races on Saturday, headlined by the clash between The Autumn Sun and Nakeeta Jane in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
The support card has plenty to offer, with multiple Group One winners and rivals Redzel (Challenge Stakes) and Trapeze Artist (Canterbury Stakes), looking for soft kills before they meet deeper into the Autumn carnival.
The track is rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position the entire circuit.
The forecast is for 2-6mm of rain, which could see the track move into the Soft range.
Race 5 Challenge Stakes (Group 2) 1000m
Wow! There looks to be a ton of early speed in this race and even though we see a small field of six engaged, you can expect sparks to fly.
Multiple Group Two winner, Ball of Muscle (1), will look to hold the rail and fend off mud-lark Jungle Edge (6), who is sure to be marked urgent from the outside draw.
The bottom-weight, 2018 Golden Slipper winner, Estijaab (3) knows only one way, but will likely sit one pair back on the rails.
Two-time winner of The EverestRedzel (5) can take a sit behind the leaders and be poised to strike one off the rail.
Back-markers Kaepernick (4) and Viridine (6) are likely to be a long way off the leading brigade on turning for home.
Redzel is the class runner in the race and gets the dream run.
His last three first-up runs have been huge, with his only defeat coming by the narrowest of margins to Redkirk Warrior down the Flemington straight.
He's had the wood on his closest rivals in the past and given his impressive trials, there is nothing to suggest he won't treat them with contempt again.
Viridine has been gelded and looks to have come back in good order.
He's yet to prove himself in this grade, however his job will be made a lot easier given the predicted fast pace in a small field.
The early market move suggests he's flying and should be respected.
Kaepernick has finished second to Redzel at this track and distance and will be flying late as the rest are coming up for air.
Estijaab will take benefit from her first-up run and has been given a soft trial since.
She has drawn to get a decent run, but will need some breaks as the leading pair fall in her lap.
There are two nominated leaders here in Luskintyre Lass (4) and I Like It Easy (5), who look certain to push forward.
Extreme Bliss (9) and Eugene's Pick (10) are likely to cross behind these leaders, but will be set the unenviable task of dragging the remainder of the field up to pace setters.
Look for All Too Soon (6) to push forward, with Karavali (3) also capable of taking a more prominent position and receive the run of the race.
Well fancied runners Oceanex (2) and Harmattan (7) will sit one pair back and be well within striking distance come the home turn.
All Too Soon has the tactical early speed to hold a forward position and looks well suited by the speed-maps in this race.
Her first-up run was very good behind the talented Seaway and with two wins and two places from four second-up efforts, there is no doubting she'll be ready to peak here.
The biggest push comes from jockey Tim Clark, who has elected to jump off the equal favourite Luskintyre Lass and keep the ride on this mare.
Clark and his team are quite astute and given the form he has been in, it'll pay to stick solid here.
Karavalli won this race last year and looks to get a dream run in transit. Not sure she is going as well as last year, but at the $31 you could do worse than back her each-way.
Oceanex has won three on the trot and has been sent north with one target in mind, the Oaks.
She was given a soft trial behind Trapeze Artist on March 1st, to keep her ticking over. This may be one run too soon, but she looks to get an easy time of it here and will be flying late.
Harmattan is another who looks to get a great run, which will take her a long way in such an even race. Can't see her winning but she can fill a place.
Best Racing Tips
1stAll Too Soon
2ndKaravalli
3rdOceanex
4thHarmattan
Race 9 Randwick City Stakes (Listed) 2000m
There looks to be only moderate tempo in this race. Hiyaam (3) can expect to get an absolute picnic in the lead.
Plymouth Road (7), Emperor's Way (1) and Morton's Fork (2) can all push forward to settle on-pace.
One Foot In Heaven (4) and Auvray (5) will sit just forward off mid-field, with the remaining runners all likely to sit beyond towards the rear.
Morton's Fork improved second-up and is screaming out for the 2000m. He handles both Soft and Good tracks and has drawn to get speed map favours here.
The early market support suggests he's ready to go.
Hiyaam has been hammered in early markets, from $10 into $6.50. He looks set to get a dream run in the lead and is proven the Sydney way of going, following a dominant victory in the Group One Vinery over 2000m at Rosehill last year.
The worry is her last start failure however and if the rain comes, she is unproven on a Soft track.
One Foot In Heaven will be aided by a bit of rain. He is capable of sharp improvement second-up and looks to get a favourable run. Can surprise at the big odds.
Casterton isanother who wants a bit of give in the track. He is suited over longer journeys but given his impressive first-up run, there is no reason to suggest he can't improve again.
Mar 09, 2019 09:45 AM
