We’re back to Royal Randwick on Saturday for a bumper 10-race card, headlined by the $1 million 7 Stakes over the mile.
The Group 2 Kingston Town and Tea Rose Stakes help make up the bulk of the program, coinciding with dual Group 1s on Underwood Stakes Day in Melbourne.
Some rain during the week has the track rated a Soft 5 with the chance of an upgrade, while the rail remains out 6m.
For race analysis and our best bets, we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you in our Surf to Turf Day Tips & Preview!
IMPENDOR (3) is an honest type who typically puts his best foot forward first-up from a spell.
Matthew Dunn’s gelding ran second in a similar Highway race here over the track and distance lat November, wrapping up the summer finishing just outside the money at Ipswich against his own sex over slightly further.
He was sent to the paddock and has been off the scene going on 12 months, so you could argue he might need the run. Even so, he’s got the runs on the board to suggest he can be competitive with two solid trials leading into his return.
| 3. Impendor (7) J: Nash Rawiller 59.5kg 4x24x T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of ten months. Finished off last campaign fourth of 9 at Ipswich Cg&E Cl3 December 3 over 1100m, a long neck behind The Hamo carrying 59.5kg at $4.60. First up last campaign second of 9 at this track Highway-C3 November 4 over 1000m, soft track; 3 len behind Petticoat carrying 59.5kg at $3.50. Expecting a strong run fresh with the two trials. | |||
BARRENGARRY (2) figures to have strong support as the favourite after dominating his rivals over 1400m in a similar Midway contest last time out.
This lightly-raced four-year-old barreled home down the outside to win by three-quarters of a length, showing plenty of late acceleration all the way through the line.
Off that, the rise to the mile poses no issues and with an identical gate at his disposal, Zac Lloyd just needs to keep him close enough in running.
| 2. Barrengarry (9) J: Zac Lloyd 60.5kg 115×1 T: Joseph Ible | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months won by 1.2 len in a Midway Bm72 at this track on September 5 over 1400m defeating Vexxy carrying 58kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by 2 len in a Prov Mdn-Sw at Newcastle on March 6 over 1600m defeating Almonzo carrying 58.5kg at $2.15. Talented gelding destined for better company. | |||
DECLICHY BOULEVARD (1) is the pick here on class and recent form.
A multiple Stakes place-getter, this Snitzel mare worked home well in the Goulburn Cup fresh from a spell, finishing a length third to Just Party after setting up in behind the speed.
James McDonald has some experience in the saddle and from another soft gate, she should be rolling to the front again and looking to make her presence felt.
| 1. Declichy Boulevard (5) J: James McDonald 59.5kg x15x3 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 16 in a Goul Cup Mbm98 at Goulburn on August 23 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Just Party with 55.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up 5th of 15 in a Nat Clas Fm-Wfa at Eagle Farm on June 6 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Surfin’ Bird carrying 57kg at $9. Stakes placed mare who profiles well for this. | |||
UNLEESHING (7) should have her fair share of admirers here second-up.
She’s always been a mare capable of running an honest race, and that was again the case first-up over 1200m when she held up and forced to shift out midway down the straight, eventually running on impressively into second.
Another handy gate is the key to her chances on Saturday and we’ve seen her run some nice races over these middle-distance trips in the past.
| 7. Unleeshing (2) J: Rachel King 58.5kg 152×2 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 15 in a Bm78 at this track on September 5 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Decorum carrying 58kg at $15. Previously second-up 3rd of 12 in a F&M Bm78 at this track on January 3 over 1400m, 0.9 len behind Miss Spacegirl carrying 52kg at $3.80. | |||
MATCHA LATTE (10) has claims in a very open and competitive race over the 1400m trip.
We’ve seen the son to Maurice come out and win similar races like this right through his career, notably winning the Provincial Championship Qualifier at Hawkesbury last time in work.
I thought he stuck on well here fresh a few weeks ago when contesting the Show County Quality for third, and he’s typically been a horse that improves second-up over longer. With fitness and Ashley Morgan carrying only 53kg, he has to be taken seriously.
| 10. Matcha Latte (1) J: Ashley Morgan 53kg 613×3 T: Nacim Dilmi | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 in the G3 Show County Quality at this track on August 22 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.5 len behind Midnight In Tokyo carrying 57kg at $8.50. Previously second-up 6th of 8 in the LR Elms Hcp (VRC March Stakes) at Flemington on February 14 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Cafe Millenium with 56.5kg at $4.20. | |||
JUJA KIBO (12) likely has bigger races than this in her future if she takes care of business on Saturday.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding is a Group 1 place-getter ready to take the next step coming off a solid effort for third in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury fresh off a spell last month.
The Irish import angled into the clear down the centre of the straight and stuck on well for third, and has since been given a nice soft trial between runs to prepare him for this rise in trip.
Fitter, down at the weights, and drawn perfectly, he has to be considered a key chance.
| 12. Juja Kibo (2) J: Sam Clipperton 55kg 339×3 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the LR Hawkesbury Rowley Mile on August 20 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Narbold with 56kg at $11. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 in the LR Randwick City Stakes (Canterbury Cup) at this track on March 7 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Campaldino carrying 53.5kg at $4.20. | |||
STRIKING ALIBI (3) was first-up in the Furious Stakes and hands down one of the runs of the race.
The Perth filly came storming home for third in behind Bangkok Hottie and Chilly Girl, indicating that she’s in for a big prep and likely looking for longer.
James McDonald takes over now second-up and she maps to get a dream run off the speed from barrier 5 this time.
| 3. Striking Alibi (5) J: James McDonald 56kg 10×3 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 10 in the G2 Furious Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Bangkok Hottie carrying 56kg at $21. Previously second-up 12th of 16 in the G2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot on April 18 over 1200m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Afireofgidgeecoals with 55kg at $14. | |||
AUTUMN GLOW (4) is the obvious on-topper coming off a breathtaking win over the Winx Stakes first-up.
Assuming Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah accept in Melbourne, which leaves a very thin field and few Same Race Multi opportunites.
That said, Gringotts was outstanding fresh in the Winx Stakes running on well for third, while Ceolwulf has the class to match. Those three to fill the Top 3 is the way I’m playing it.
Same Race Multi
- Autumn Glow (Win)
- Gringotts (Top 2)
- Ceolwulf (Top 3)
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 66×52 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $61. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $3.60. | |||
| 2. Gringotts (6) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 924×3 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $21. Previously second-up 2nd of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 2.75 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $19. | |||
| 4. Autumn Glow (1) J: James McDonald 57kg 113×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 57kg at $1.70. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a long-neck in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Aeliana with 57kg at $1.26. | |||
More than happy to take the price here for JOLIESTAR (2).
This multiple Group 1 winning mare is having her first run back since contesting the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she certainly lost no admirers running third.
Chris Waller has given her two soft trials between runs and on pure class, she looks to have a bit on these.
| 2. Joliestar (11) J: James McDonald 56kg 11x3x T: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Only had one start last campaign sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 18 in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on June 20 over 1207m, neck behind Almeraq carrying 58kg at $2.90. Won previous preparation first up favourite; won by 1.2 len in the G2 Expressway Stakes at this track on February 14 over 1200m defeating Caballus carrying 57kg at $2.60. Trialled on September 8 at Rosehill over 900m and finished sixth. | |||
ICE KOOL (5) resumes for David Pfieffer having last raced over the track and distance here in June where he was the beaten favourite in the end.
A wide run in transit cost him after driving forward to land on the speed, but he’s well-deserving of a mulligan after winning back to back starts here over shorter prior.
He made short work of his rivals leading all the way to win a recent trial, and if Jay Ford can offset the wide gate early and land ont he speed, he’ll be one of the hardest to catch.
| 5. Ice Kool (10) J: Jay Ford 59kg 7×114 T: David Pfieffer | |||
| Comes off a 56 day let-up. Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 in a Bm88 at this track on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 2.75 len behind Hawker Hall with 58.5kg at $2.35. Before that favourite; won by 0.5 len in a Bm78 at this track on June 20 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Petticoat with 60kg at $1.50. | |||