13/4/19 Randwick tips: Percy Sykes Stakes

Slipper form the key
Steve HartDistance | 1200m |
Grade | Group 2 |
Track Rating | Soft 5 |
Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
Class | 2.y.o Fillies |
2018 winner | Pure Elation |
The Percy Sykes has often been considered a target for the lesser quality or late blooming two-year-old fillies.
However, the 2019 edition sees Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi line-up with fellow slipper runners, Anaheed and Pin Sec.
The new kids on the block come in the form of Cheer Leader and Flit, who head to Sydney off solid campaigns in Melbourne.
With a field of 11 lining up for their share in $1 million, we've assessed the chances of the key runners.
Randwick Track Traits
The Randwick track is currently rated a Soft 5, with the rail out 3m the entire circuit.
If the track stays in the Soft rating, expect jockeys to search for better ground off the rail in the home straight.
Racing Market Movers
Early favourite Kiamichi has softened from $3.40 to $3.80. There has also been a drift for Anaheed ($6 to $7) and Cheer Leader ($4.50 to $4.80).
Money has come for the rank outsider St Covet's Spirit, despite running sixth in a Warwick Farm maiden. She has firmed from $101 into $51.
Key Runners
#1 Kiamichi $3.40>$3.80
The Golden Slipper winner, who on exposed form, is the best horse in the race.
She deserves all of the 58kg, however the query is dropping back to the 1200m on a dry surface.
The price is right and she'll be fighting out the finish.
#2 Anaheed $6.00 > $7.00
Hasn't been seen since compounding late in the Slipper, finishing 4-lenghths sixth.
She gets a 2kg swing on the favourite now and looks far better suited on a dry track.
Expect Clark to push forward from the wide gate and if he can slot in to the running line, she'll be poised to strike.
Her two efforts over the Randwick 1200m have been great and she ticks plenty of boxes.
At the $7, she is top-pick!
#3 Pin Sec $6.00
Didn't go a yard in the Slipper and will relish the drier track this time.
Her Black Opal win was impressive, however the form from the runners-up in that race has been below average.
Will need to bounce back in a big way to be winning this.
#4 Flit $7.50
A back-marker who flew home last start down the Flemington straight, only to share the spoils in a dead-heat.
Didn't have much luck the run prior to that, but still finished 4-lengths off the second favourite Cheer Leader.
Looks well under the odds.
#5 Cheer Leader $4.50 > $4.80
Went to the front last start and dominated with a 5-length win at Moonee Valley.
The Randwick 1200m is a different beast however, and she's come up very short given the quality of gallopers she's met to date.
Based on what we have seen, she'll need to improve significantly to be winning.
Far too short at the $4.80. No thanks!
#6 Athiri $7.00
Ran on well but was no threat to the winner over 1100m last Saturday.
She let punters down big time, but didn't get clear air until late in the piece and had genuine excuses for not finishing closer.
Stepping out to the 1200m here and dropping 1.5kg are both positives.
She looks well over the odds at $7 and is a genuine contender.
#8 Badia $13.00
Has been competitive in maiden grade, but this is a huge step up in class.
The $13 looks well under the odds for a horse that was nominated for a Gosford maiden earlier in the week.
Missing a zero on her price?
Best Racing Tips
1st Anaheed
2nd Athiri
3rd Kiamichi
4th Pin Sec
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