Racing returns to Randwick on Saturday with a 10-race program set to be run on genuinely rain-affected ground.
At time of publication, the track is rated a Heavy 9, with the possibility of further showers through to Friday. While conditions are expected to clear for a fine day on Saturday, it would still be a surprise to see the surface improve too sharply, so proven wet-track form looks a key factor across the card.
The rail is out +9m from the 1000m to the winning post and +8m for the remainder, which adds another layer to the puzzle. Randwick can ask a solid question late in races, and on a Heavy 9, the emphasis will be on runners that handle rain-affected ground, travel comfortably and can sustain their run to the line.
There are 10 races to dissect, so let’s work through the card and see where the betting opportunities lie.
DEFENSEMAN (3) is still a maiden, but he raced in stronger company last preparation and showed he is capable of winning a lacklustre race like this when resuming over 1250m at Canterbury.
The Chris Waller-trained colt returned in good order there, working nicely to the line to finish 1.35 lengths third, and will benefit from that first-up outing.
The rise to 1400m looks ideal with increased fitness second-up.
He’s drawn to get a nice run for Zac Lloyd.
| 3. Defensemen (1) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 5x0x3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing second-up today. Last start came from midfield; 3rd of 10 at Canterbury 2yo C&G Mdn on June 17 over 1250m, slow going 1.4 len behind By Napolean Hill carrying 58kg at $7. At only start last preparation got back early 11th of 16 at this track in the LR Millennium on February 7 over 1100m, 5 len behind Fireball with 56.5kg at $26. Desperate for this trip and will be tough to beat from the inside draw. | |||
MOON SWEEPER (1) was nosed out by Autumn King two starts ago in a Highway Handicap over a mile at Scone.
That was the third consecutive placing for the Matt Dunn-trained gelding, so he was due to return to the winner’s stall and boy, did he do that last start!
In a similar race to this over 1500m at Rosehill, he saved ground on the turn before letting down powerfully to embarrass his rivals by just under three lengths.
With his superior rating under the set-weight conditions, along with Jett Newman’s 3kg claim, he gets in extremely well.
He just needs even luck to be awfully hard to beat.
| 1. Moon Sweeper (5) J: Jett Newman 59kg 53221T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Racing well recently. Returns from a 42-day let-up. Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 3 len at Rosehill Highway-C3 Sw May 30 over 1500m in the wet defeating Hammoon Sensation with 57.5kg at $2.25. The start before that came from midfield; 2nd of 16 at Scone Highway-C3 on May 16 over 1600m, neck behind Autumn King carrying 62kg at $11. Hard to hold out with Newman’s claim. | |||
SWIFT LEGEND (4) looked half a run short when resuming over 1300m at Warwick Farm last start.
The Les Bridge-trained gelding loomed in the straight but weakened late to finish 1.13 lengths fifth.
He’ll strip fitter, is a previous second-up winner and won his only previous start over this distance, where he let down strongly to win at Canterbury.
From the good draw, Kerrin McEvoy should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 4. Swift Legend (5) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57.5kg 7x2x5T: Les Bridge | |||
| Having second run back today. Last outing 5th of 12 at Warwick Farm Cg&E Bm72 on June 24 over 1300m, 1.1 len behind High Blue Sea carrying 59.5kg at $10. At only start last preparation 2nd of 9 at Warwick Farm Cg&E Bm72 on April 15 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Ready To Shine with 59kg at $13. Fitter now and hard to beat over this trip. | |||
BENEVAC (1) looks close to a win following three very good placings to start this preparation.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was forced to settle a long way back to prevent being caught wide first-up over this distance at Rosehill, but to his credit, he found the line well to finish 1.58 lengths third.
There was plenty of merit in his performance two starts ago, given he raced keenly as the jockey tried unsuccessfully to find cover, but despite racing wide, he charged home to finish a head second.
He went so close last start at Rosehill, where he settled outside the lead before finding the front and fighting strongly, only to be nailed on the line to go down by a whisker.
Gun apprentice Siena Grima goes on and, with her 2kg claim, the pair should be hard to run down.
| 1. Benevac (2) J: Siena Grima 59.5kg 0x322T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 at Rosehill 3yo Bm72 on June 27 over 1100m, on a slow track; nose behind Lighthouse Lass with 58.5kg at $4.60. The run before that 2nd of 13 at Rosehill 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1100m, slow going nose behind Shropshire Lad carrying 57kg at $9.50. Brings the best form and ready to win with the claimer on. | |||
TAMBELOA (3) worked to the line well last start over a mile here when returning from a short let-up.
The Kristen Buchanan-trained colt will take benefit from that 2.83 length fourth and will appreciate the rise in distance.
Last preparation, he finished third in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes over this distance at Eagle Farm.
He’ll carry just 52.5kg thanks to Mollie Fitzgerald’s claim and maps to get a nice run on speed.
| 3. Tambeloa (4) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 55.5kg 0x804T: Kristen Buchanan | |||
| At the latest run 4th of 14 at this track Midway Bm72 on June 20 over 1600m, slow going 2.75 len behind The Mona Lisa carrying 57kg at $14. Before that ran second last of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 16 over 2000m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Kilman carrying 57kg at $52. Terrific chance to return to form over this trip. | |||
PETTICOAT (3) gave a great sight last start when finishing a half-length second to the flying Ice Kool.
That was the first time in three starts that the Brett Dodson-trained mare didn’t win over this course and distance.
One of those wins came third-up last preparation when she bolted in by just under three lengths in heavy conditions.
Mollie Fitzgerald, who claims 3kg, will go forward and give them something to catch.
| 3. Petticoat (2) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 58kg 1×402T: Brett Dodson | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 13 at this track Bm78 on June 20 over 1000m, slow going 0.5 len behind Ice Kool carrying 54kg at $14. The race before that ran second last of 11 at Eagle Farm Bm85 on May 30 over 1000m, slow going 8 len behind Silver Wedding with 56kg at $13. Expected to play a significant role. | |||
TAZIMA (4) has been racing in terrific form with three wins from his past four starts.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding fought tooth and nail to get the better of Boniface last start over this course and distance.
He races particularly well on rain-affected tracks, having missed a place just once in seven starts on soft tracks, while winning his only start on a heavy deck, which was over this distance.
Siena Grima has built a great relationship with him, and I’m happy to stick fat with them.
| 4. Tazima (9) J: Siena Grima 60.5kg 31311T: Chris Waller | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; won by a neck at this track Bm88 June 20 over 1800m on a soft track defeating Boniface carrying 55.5kg at $3.70. The run before that favourite; settled well back; won by a nose at this track Bm88 May 23 over 2000m in the wet defeating King Of The Sea carrying 52kg at $5. Tricky set-up for this and place preferred. | |||
COLD BREW (3) takes on a mile for the first time and steps up out of Midway company but looks more than capable of succeeding on both fronts.
The Richard & Will Freedman-trained gelding impressed second-up over 1300m at Rosehill when racing on speed before proving too strong late to win by just over half a length.
He’ll strip fitter and won third-up last preparation, which was part of a three-race winning streak.
He maps to get a great run for Chad Schofield.
| 3. Cold Brew (5) J: Chad Schofield 60kg 11×41T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 7 at Rosehill Midway Bm72 on May 30 over 1100m, on rain affected going; 1.0 len behind All The Way Mae with 59kg at $9.50. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 0.7 len at Rosehill Midway Bm72 June 27 over 1300m on a rain affected track defeating Hellova Nature carrying 58kg at $5. Has further upside but this is much tougher. | |||
LUGH (2) drops in class and will only carry 1kg more than last start when he resumed over 1300m here.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding worked home well to finish 2.68 lengths fifth to Cool Jakey and subsequent Civic Stakes winner Midnight Dynamite.
He’ll have come on nicely since that run and is two from two when second-up, including last preparation when he won over 1300m here.
A wet track won’t faze him, and he should race on speed for 2kg claimer Siena Grima.
| 2. Lugh (8) J: Siena Grima 61kg 313×5T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months 5th of 14 at this track Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Cool Jakey carrying 58kg at $4.60. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len at this track 4yo+ Bm78 July 26 over 1300m in soft going defeating Starman carrying 56kg at $9. Rates highly and looks a strong chance with the claim. | |||
AYE AYE CAPTAIN (3) has been in great form since returning from a 75-week spell.
The Les Bridge-trained mare settled a long way back after drawing an outside barrier last start over 1400m at Rosehill before storming home to finish two lengths third and defeating several of the horses she meets here.
Two starts back, she let down powerfully, again from well back after drawing wide, to win impressively by just over a half-length in heavy conditions at Warwick Farm.
With the benefit of the inside gate, Kerrin McEvoy can settle closer in the run.
| 3. Aye Aye Captain (1) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58kg 1×313T: Les Bridge | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 12 at Rosehill F&M Bm78 on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 2 len behind Surf’s Up with 58kg at $21. The race before that won by 0.6 len at Warwick Farm 4yo+ Bm72 June 3 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Cape Byron with 58kg at $5.50. One of the major players from the good gate. | |||
