Apr 06, 2018 11:21 AM
Steve Hart
Author: Michael Gannon
Which horses will get track favours on Day 1 of the Championships?
The rail is in the true position for Day 1 of the Championships this Saturday with fine weather forecast. The last time we saw this set-up on a Good surface at Randwick was February 17th this year, when the track offered no bias. With big prizemoney up for grabs, expect to see plenty of early speed in most races which will favour runners who sit off the pace.
Randwick Race 3 #1 Catchy
Ran an impressive third in the Group One William Reid at Moonee Valley last start. She rises 4kg from that effort but looks a class above these runners as she drops back to Group Three grade. The training partnership of Hayes and Dabernig bring her to Sydney and in a strong push for their filly, have secured the services of multiple Group One winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
There is an abundance of speed engaged in this race, with the likes of Houtzen, Demerara, Dinnigan, Debonairly and True Excelsior all noted speedsters. Drawn barrier 12, expect McEvoy to smoke the pipe at the back of the field and watch it all unfold in front of him. Blessed with a strong sprint, we should see Catchy taking full advantage of the fast-early sectionals and fly over the top of these late.
Catchy is currently $7.50 fixed odds.
Randwick Race 4 #1 Suncraze
Boasts an outstanding record of five wins and seven seconds from 15 starts. His two most recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular and he gets the perfect set-up in this race to make it three wins in a row.
This is another race with plenty of early speed engaged. Expect favourite Don’t Give a Damn to follow his usual pattern and head to the front, where he will be met with plenty of challenges through the likes of Cosmologist, O’ So Hazy, Ferniehurst and Shelly Beach Road who are all noted front runners.
Jumping from barrier six, jockey Corey Brown should be able to position himself midfield with cover. Expect to see the leaders go like the crackers in this race and set it up perfectly for the Melanie O’Gorman trained gelding. With a blistering turn of foot, watch for Suncraze to fly over the top of them late.
Suncraze is currently $4.80 fixed odds.
