Ten races have been set at Royal Randwick this Tuesday including the third running of The Big Dance.
Set up to rival Melbourne Cup Day in Victoria, the $3 million Listed race has attracted a capacity field over the mile, including the always honest Gringotts and last start Alan Brown Stakes winner, Here To Shock.
The Barn Dance and the Little Dance also help make up the program, and you can find our best bets across all 10 races below!
Race 1 - 11:45AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
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No. 1 Flying Bandit
Flying Bandit is deep into his prep, holding his form nicely to return another win last start over 2000m at Hawkesbury.
He drops back to 1800m for this Midway contest and looks ready for the step up in grade based on the way he charged the line 11 days ago.
With form around last Saturday’s impressive winner State Of America, it’s no real shock to find short odds on offer with a stack of fitness and consistent form on his side.
Race 2 - 12:25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
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No. 5 Ticklebelly
Ticklebelly has been kept fresh for the run coming off back to back placings at Randwick last month.
Scott Collings’ mare flew home late to finish second to Perrenial over the same distance from a long way back, making up similar late ground in a recent trial at Canberra between starts.
She’s always a threat over this distance range and rates a decent each-way play in a tricky Highway race to start the day.
Race 3 - 1:05PM ALL OCCASION CRUISES HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
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No. 1 Chorlton Lane
Chorlton Lane is the class runner in this field, as the short odds would suggest.
Ciaron Maher’s classy galloper finds it tough to win at times, but his recent form suggests another might be on the cards after rattling home for third over the mile here last start off a four-week break.
The step back in trip at this stage of his prep is interesting, but so long as the track stays dry, he should be in this for a long way with the 3kg claim put to good use.
Race 4 - 1:40PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
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No. 6 Tartaglia
Tartaglia just needs luck from out wide to play a part in the finish.
The Godolphin runner disappointed for a run when well supported over 1100m at Warwick Farm earlier in the month, overracing at a crucial stage that clearly cost him a stride or two in the finish.
That said, he still quickened nicely over the final furlong and does have further scope for improvement considering that was his first run back.
Nash Rawiller has retained the ride, and if there is any rain about, he should be considered a key chance.
Race 5 - 2:20PM BIG DANCE (1600 METRES)
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No. 1 Here To Shock
Here To Shock looks ready to win in another tricky edition of The Big Dance.
A son to Shocking, his run last start over 1400m at Rosehill was solid, overcoming a four-wide ride in transit to burst clear over the final stages and win narrowly ahead of Gringotts.
That same horse has drawn the carpark in this race, while Here To Shock should receive all the favours along the rail under Nash Rawiller, who is a perfect two-from-two aboard the gelding.
The big weight is the query, but with a serious turn of foot, he’ll be hard to hold out with clear air.
Race 6 - 3:30PM BARN DANCE (1300 METRES)
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No. 7 Rainbow Connection
Rainbow Connection could give this a bit of a shake at nice odds.
Matthew Dunn’s seven-year-old is hard-fit with four runs under his belt, his latest coming in a BM78 contest at Doomben where he came off to the in-form I Am Artie lugging 60kg.
He’s down in the weights massively for this slightly trickier contest and draws to do no work again from the inside gate.
Proven in all conditions and capable of getting back and running on, a Top 3 finish wouldn’t shock.
Race 7 - 4:10PM LITTLE DANCE (1600 METRES)
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No. 1 Waterford
Waterford has been hit and miss over the mile, but I’m happy to back him on his fresh effort over 1400m a couple of weeks ago at Rosehill.
Chris Waller’s five-year-old has gone up favourite for this contest after charging late off the fence, a race that has produced some very likable form with three coming out and winning since.
Another low gate is the perfect setup for him to get back and launch late, while he’s also found the money in all four of his starts at this stage of his prep.
Race 8 - 4:50PM PRECISE AIR CHOISIR HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
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No. 5 Pereille
Pereille looks a nice bet with outstanding first-up form to his name.
The Godolphin five-year-old by Fastnet Rock is drawn slightly awkwardly on return, but there’s been plenty to like about his recent trial work where he hasn’t been asked to do much on both occasions.
His latest run saw him finish midfield in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton back in July where he was always too far back to score.
If he settles in the first half under Nash Rawiller on this occasion, he’ll likely have enough late speed to finish over the top of most of these, providing he doesn’t spend too much petrol working across.
Race 9 - 5:30PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
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No. 4 South Of India
South Of India presents a compelling case first-up for Ross McConville.
This lightly-raced gelding by Churchill is five-from-six to begin his career, putting together his fourth-straight win last start at Randwick where he bolted in down the outside for a stylish win right on the line.
He’s trialled up a treat leading up to his return and is obviously a bit of a specialist over 1000m. With an eye towards bigger races later in the spring, this looks an ideal leadoff point.
Race 10 - 6:05PM ALINTA ENERGY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
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No. 8 Gently Rolled
Gently Rolled finds the right race with a few key scratchings coming out.
The rise to 1200m looks perfect for the mare by Press Statement, who was last seen racing over 100m shorter at Rosehill where she had little go right in transit when held up down the straight.
Still lightly-raced for a five-year-old, she’s yet to miss the money in three starts over this trip and is likely to get a perfect cart into the race from the middle gate.
Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 14/02/2025 04:47:05am AEST and subject to change.