Randwick Tips 21 April 2018
Best bets on All Aged Stakes Day at Randwick by Joshua Reed
The Randwick track is currently rated a Good 4 for All Aged Stakes Day, with a slight chance of rain forecast. With the rail out 6m from the 1600m to the winning post and 4m for the remainder, expect an advantage to those on-pace and from the inside barriers.
The Champagne Stakes
The Grand Final for many of these two-year-old’s and it’s also the first time they will be running over the mile. This is going to be a big ask for these youngsters as there is no tougher 1600m in Australia than the Randwick mile. A couple of these runners have been up for a while including Long Leaf, Seabrook and Bondi, who have all been pushing the boundaries leading into this one.
El Dorado Dreaming surprised everyone in the Sires Produce where he ran on from near last with fellow competitor Outrageous. Irukandji from the Hawkes yard was enormous in The Schweppervescence after racing wide without cover until the 900m mark, when he shot out to the lead and was solid to the line. Trainer Jean Dubois has a high opinion of Guerrier but the query is whether he can handle the step up in grade.
The All Aged Stakes
Both Le Romain and Brave Smash are coming through the TJ Smith where the former ran admirably whilst the ex-Japanese galloper was disappointing. Godolphin have two runners coming off a break in Hartnell, who has been freshened from his Australia Cup run, and It’s Somewhat, who returns from a spell with a strong first-up record and an impressive strike rate at Randwick.
The ever reliable Tom Melbourne was a modest fifth in a hot Doncaster Mile and can run an honest race here. Trapeze Artist is the deserved favourite on the back of his dominant TJ Smith win where he not only gapped the field, but also second placed Redzel.
Japan Racing Association Plate
On paper this looks like a close race with a number of chances, but looks can be deceiving. I think this is a two horse race in Arbeitsam and Interlocutor. Arbeitsam was amazing in the Doncaster Mile going head-to-head with Tom Melbourne at the front before streaking away. He was later over-run by Happy Clapper and Comin’ Through, but with the light weight he managed to hold on for third. That is brilliant form leading into this but from the draw he may have to do a little bit of work to get to the front.
Interlocutor hasn’t been seen since the Doncaster Prelude where he finished 2.7L in 8th place. On first look, it didn’t appear to be a good effort. After watching the replay and reading the steward’s report, I am willing to forgive the run. He found the back of Radipole who was losing momentum in the straight and wasn’t fully tested in the final 200m.
Best bets
The selections below are three of my best bets for the feature races, including my best each-way play. If you would like to see all of my best bets for Saturday's meet at Randwick, you can access them here.
Race 6 #6 Irukandji $12.00
He possesses the toughness to handle the Randwick mile and is fresher than most of these. The bookies' current odds are generous for a last start winner, and with a decent draw he should find some cover.
Race 7 #4 It’s Somewhat $26.00 (Each Way)
He has a decent record over the 1400m, runs well at Randwick and has a good first-up record. His record isn’t flash over the track/distance but those runs are excusable. He is going to get a gun run out of the inside barrier no matter what the tactics end up being. Expect him to be in this for a long way and at the juicy odds, he is the best each way bet of the card.
Race 8 #6 Interlocutor $7.00
The run in the Doncaster Prelude was deceiving and I have no doubt that he would have had more to offer if he found clear running in the straight. He looked a run short going into last start and looks primed for a huge performance in this. He maps nicely, is against a sub-par field to his quality with Arbeitsam being the only danger. Will lap up the 2000m and is one of the better bets on the card.
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