Royal Randwick is the venue for this Saturday’s NSW metropolitan meeting. The track is currently rated a Heavy 9 and with 2-6mm of rain forecasted over the coming days, expect similar conditions on race day.
The rail is out to the 3m mark, which will favour the on-pace runners early on. As the day progresses however, expect some deterioration towards the inside lanes which will see runners venture further off the fence and come from the back.
Randwick Race 5
This benchmark 90 over the Randwick mile is always a tough contest and the prospect of a heavy track will only make things more challenging for punters.
Chris Waller holds the key in this race with four runners. I Am Serious ran gallantly last start and will appreciate the give out of the ground here. The Choisir filly ran against the pattern of the day, coming from off the pace to just miss out on the win.
Monasterio comes out of the same race and was far from disgraced after missing the start by two lengths. Veladero and Liapari are the Waller Stable’s outsiders but must be respected with handy wet form.
Kris Lees has two runners in this race who also don’t mind the wet. Bastia is favoured of the two and is coming off a brilliant 2.3 length win a fortnight ago. The Rip Van Winkle gelding is well suited to the Randwick mile and will be rock hard fit.
Our Gravano has a chance to get his first win in Australia. This New Zealand bred gelding from Roc De Cambes will relish the heavy going and will be much fitter following his recent outings.
Randwick Race 6
Race six is quite an even affair with several runners making a claim for this clash of the three-year-olds.
The Danny Williams yard is backing up their Lucas Cranach gelding, Hemmerle, after he ran against the pattern at Rosehill last Saturday. He ran home well over the 1400m which indicates the further distance here will suit. Whether he will handle the heavy track will be the query however, despite the fact he will have a fitness edge.
Chris Waller’s Teofilo gelding Tunero was well backed last start at Canterbury and probably would have saluted had he not been forced wide without cover from the 500m mark. He is back in easier class here but there is still a query over his chances on a heavy going.
Randwick Race 8
The June Stakes over 1100m is the main event of the day, with some quality sprinters looking to boost their earnings.
Jungle Edge from the Mick Bell yard has forged a reputation as a swimmer and he has to overcome a wide barrier here, which may turn out to be a blessing later in the day. He is yet to win at Randwick from seven attempts however, which is concerning.
The Lee’s stable saddle up Dal Cielo who is a true professional. He held on well last start and will appreciate the give out of the track here, from a draw which will allow him to make his presence known.
Young jockey Andrew Adkins has secured the ride on the favourite I Thought So and makes his debut for the Peter and Paul Snowden stable. The gelding was run over late here a fortnight ago and will be primed for this contest. He handles the sting out of the ground and is a deserved favourite.
Randwick Tips
The tips below are three of my best selections at Randwick, including my top tips and best each-way plays.
If you would like to see all of my selections and staking plan for Saturday's meet at Randwick, you can access them here.
Race 5 Tip: #3 Our Gravano (Each Way)
He just ticks all the boxes here. Third-up and a drop of 4kg will make a huge difference and he will appreciate the step up to the mile.
The wet ground should suit him down to the ground and he’ll get a nice run into the race from the draw. Very good each way chance.
Our Gravano is currently $9.00 fixed win and $2.70 place.
Race 6 Tip: #14 African Rainbow (Each Way)
Going completely left field with this one. Firstly, the draw is ideal for this Foxwedge filly with plenty of speed in the race and she will get some nice cover.
Trainer Bjorn Baker is backing her up from last weekend, which is a good indication that she has pulled up well.
African Rainbow will be rock hard fit, will run out the 2000m and can handle the wet. Well worth an each way bet.
African Rainbow is currently $18 fixed win and $4.80 place
Race 8 Tip: #6 I Thought So (Best Bet)
He was run over late in his previous outing and his fitness looked to give out late. Should be ready to make amends here and a good second-up record add confidence.
The So You Think gelding has a win and place from three starts on heavy and he should get a nice run into this race.
Jun 08, 2018 10:50 AM
Steve Hart
