Sydney metropolitan racing draws to a close for 2023 at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Ten races are scheduled to be run and won on a track that is likely to be in the soft range with the rail out 3m the entire course.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below to help those punters looking to end their year on the right note.
Parkour caught the eye flashing home for second when on debut at Ballarat.
The Godolphin-owned colt settled towards the back before recording the quickest final 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the day as he stormed home.
That was over 1000m so the rise to 1200m with increased fitness second-up suits.
Jamie Kah was aboard that day and has made the trip north to ride him.
Bomarea impressed when resuming in a Highway Handicap two weeks ago over 1000m at this track.
The Marc Quinn-trained three-year-old filly flew out of the gates to lead all the way for a one-length win.
She tired late but the damage had already been done and I have no qualms with her stepping up to 1200m given she will strip fitter.
Mikayla Weir retains the ride and should be able to lead from barrier 3 and hopefully go all the way.
Runwiththetide may have only won the one race in eight starts, but he’s placed on five occasions.
The three-year-old gelding’s performance over this course and distance last start suggests he’s ready to record his second win.
He found the front in the straight and gave a big kick, only getting run down in the shadows of the post to finish third.
He’s drawn beautifully in barrier 3 which should see Zac Lloyd go forward and take advantage of his light weight.
Sydney Bowler is looking to keep his unbeaten record intact when he lines up in this 1300m contest.
The John O’Shea-trained Deep Field gelding impressed when easily winning his maiden two starts back by two lengths over 1200m at Newcastle.
Last start he showed a real will to win when proving strongest late to win by a head over 1250m on the Beaumont track.
Both those runs indicated that he’s a city class horse and the bigger Randwick track should be too his liking with a genuine tempo.
Miss You Ella ran well when resuming over 1600m on a heavy Kembla Grange track last start.
The American import toiled well to finish third by 2.3 lengths to King Of The Castle with the run clearly indicating she was looking for further which she gets here.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and with a lack of speed in the race, Jamie Kah can roll forward and settle in a prominent position.
Louisville looks ready to fire fourth-up over his pet distance.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Redwood won first-up at Canterbury before finishing second in both his most recent two starts.
Last start he settled back over 1400m here before rattling home to finish 1.3 lengths behind Felix Majestic.
That was a flashing light run to suggest a mile, which he gets here, would be perfect.
Grebeni is racing in great form at the moment having won two of his past three races.
The Ryan and Alexiou-trained gelding loves this course and distance having won three of four starts over it.
The most recent of these wins was last start when he ran on strongly, proving too strong for Glory Daze and King Of The Castle.
He’s rock hard fit and has the service of Kerrin McEvoy who has won four of five rides on him.
The safe play would be to back Dollar Magic to run a drum given she’s frustratingly finished second in her past five starts.
However, this looks a winnable affair for the Scott Singleton-trained daughter of Shamus Award.
The form around her is good with the horses to have beaten her recently including Time To Boogie, Legio Ten and Eagle’s Nest.
From barrier 3 Reece Jones should be able to settle in a handy position before letting rip in the straight.
Step Aside was scratched from a winnable race earlier on the card in preference for this.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old gelding was a strong winner when despite being held up, he stormed to the line to win first-up over 1300m at Rosehill.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t as lucky last start when held up badly for the majority of the straight over this course and distance.
He only got clear with 100m to go but savaged the line to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter and did win third-up last preparation.
Shohei will have come on nicely from her second-up run last start and should be cherry ripe to salute.
The Team Hawkes mare led over this course and distance and gave a massive sight but was picked off in the final 50m to finish third by just over half a length.
That run will have topped her off for this third-up assignment.
She looks the likely leader and if Zac Lloyd can dictate proceedings, she’ll be hard to get past.