Black-type racing returns to Randwick this Saturday for Civic Stakes Day, with a strong 10-race program packed with big fields and even contests.
The track is currently rated a Soft 6 following Friday showers, but with fine weather forecast, conditions should improve into a more manageable soft range.
The Listed Civic Stakes headlines the meeting, with depth across the card ensuring punters will be kept on their toes throughout.
We’ve done the form for all 10 races, so let’s try to find a few Civic Stakes Day winners.
CHAINS OF LOVE (4) returned in impressive style two starts ago with a comprehensive win at Scone.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained filly was a class above as she strode clear to salute in the 1100m contest by 4.49 lengths.
She then held her own in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes where she was forced to do extra work from the wide draw but fought well to finish 1.59 lengths sixth.
A wide barrier is again an obstacle, but she has the early speed to cross and find a prominent position.
| 4. Chains Of Love (10) J: Aaron Bullock 59kg 21×16T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich |
PERFECT JUSTICE (8) produced an eyecatcher when resuming two starts ago in a similar race over 1400m here.
The John Sargent-trained gelding settled a long way back and didn’t have the clearest path but hit the line hard to finish just over a half-length fourth.
He backed that performance up last start when finding the line powerfully to finish 1.15 lengths second.
That run suggested the rise to a mile third-up suits, and he did win over the distance when having his third run back last preparation.
Siena Grima, who claims 2kg, just needs to get him into clear air.
| 8. Perfect Justice (6) J: Siena Grima 57.5kg 92×42T: John Sargent |
NITRO (4) is a notoriously slow beginner and that was the case when he resumed over 1300m at Scone.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding settled a long last before rocketing home to finish a neck second.
He raced keenly in the early stages last start over 1400m here and that proved costly late when he weakened a touch to finish 1.2 lengths fourth.
Winkers go on for the first time and he gets the services of Tommy Berry which should help him run out a strong mile.
| 4. Nitro (7) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 32×24T: Peter Snowden |
HELLO CAPTAIN (1) has won three of his four career starts and looks well placed to add another ‘W’.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding returned in impressive fashion two starts ago at Warwick Farm where he proved too strong despite racing wide.
He looked to have plenty on his rivals last start at Canterbury when letting down strongly to salute by just under two lengths.
Nash Rawiller will give him the run of the race from the inside barrier.
| 1. Hello Captain (1) J: Nash Rawiller 60.5kg 21×11T: Chris Waller |
NASEBAH (5) impressed in her Australian debut two starts ago over 1800m at Kensington.
The Chris Waller-trained mare let down powerfully to easily put her rivals away by 3.64 lengths and ran quick time in the process.
Unfortunately, she didn’t get a great deal of luck last start over a mile here yet despite being held up for most of the straight she still finished just 1.29 lengths fourth.
That was just her fourth start, so she has plenty of upside and she will strip fitter third-up.
Tommy Berry replaces the apprentice and should land in a prominent position from the low draw.
| 5. Nasebah (4) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg 31×14T: Chris Waller |
TAZIMA (9) has revelled in the wet conditions lately but he’s just as effective on drier going.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding saved ground on the turn last start over 2000m here before charging through the heavy going to win in a photo.
Just three starts ago in March, he proved too strong on a good track to win by 1.66 lengths over 1900m at Rosehill.
Gun apprentice Sienna Grima has built a great relationship with him and is again in the saddle.
| 9. Tazima (5) J: Siena Grima 57.5kg 63131T: Chris Waller |
ICE KOOL (2) kicked off his preparation in impressive style with an arrogant win over this course and distance.
The David Pfeiffer-trained gelding sat outside the lead before dashing clear and easing down to salute by 2.3 length.
His only defeat in four starts was seventh in the Magic Million Sunlight 3YO Plate at the Gold Coast.
There looks to be good speed in the race which may see Jay Ford take a sit just off it.
| 2. Ice Kool (7) J: Jay Ford 60kg 117×1T: David Pfieffer |
SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET (7) has returned this preparation in magnificent order.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding settled back from a wide draw at the Gold Coast before rocketing home with 60kg on his back to win by a neck with two lengths back to third.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will have been brought along by a recent trial.
The son of Prosir loves this distance with his only defeat in four starts being a head second.
Nash Rawiller is a top booking.
| 7. Sunshineinmypocket (3) J: Nash Rawiller 57kg 755×1T: Ciaron Maher |
MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (12) opened this preparation with a hard-fought victory here before going north to Doomben where he bolted in second-up.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding produced a top effort last start over 1300m here but just couldn’t run down Cool Jakey and finished 1.15 lengths seconds.
He meets that horse 1.5kg better at the weights and draws a lot better.
Jason Collett will use that to his advantage and push forward to lead or settle in the first few pairs.
| 12. Midnight Dynamite (5) J: Jason Collett 54kg 1×112T: Bjorn Baker |
JUST GLAMOUROUS (14) will appreciate dropping in distance after giving a sight over a mile here last start before weakening to finish just under a length the third.
The Joe Pride-trained mare has been racing in consistent form this preparation and should be rock hard fit.
Blinkers go back on and when she wore them for the first time, she led all the way for a strong win.
She should race on speed for Sam Clipperton.
| 14. Just Glamourous (8) J: Sam Clipperton 56.5kg x1243T: Joseph Pride |