The final race on a big card of racing at Randwick this Saturday is fittingly, a competitive one. With nine of the fourteen runners commencing their spring campaigns in this race, it will prove a tricky affair and that’s represented by the fact that only Sessions ($2.80) and Decision Time ($5.50), who ran the quinella in the G3 Concorde Stakes, are under double figures in early markets.
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
1. HAY LIST – G Schofield (10)
Returned from injury and a sixteen week spell with a very good effort first up in the G3 Concorde Stakes when fifth (beaten 2 ¼ lengths) behind Decision Time. He settled third on the fence and had to wait for a run at the top of the straight before making ground and running out of room over the concluding stages. Will be better for that run and can keep in open spaces from this gate.
2. MANAWANUI – N Rawiller (1)
Former smart 3yo who claimed the G1 Golden Rose, G2 Stan Fox Stakes and G2 The Vase at Moonee Valley in the Spring of 2011. Since then though, the now 5yo by Oratorio hasn’t recorded another win despite going close in races such as G2 Hobartville Stakes and Listed Hall Mark Stakes. He’s first up here off a seventeen week spell and hasn’t been seen at the trials. Normally takes a run or two to reach his best and over this distance, would think he’d find a few too quick.
3. MIC MAC – B Avdulla (4)
Trainer Paul Messara has done an excellent job in returning this 8yo back to his competitive best after two lengthy spells of seventeen and twelve months in the second half of his career. He led to win the Civic Stakes, finished second in the Winter Stakes (carried 60.5kgs), second again to Rain Affair in the G3 Missile Stakes and finished two lengths off Coup Ay Tee in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) a month ago. Back to this trip, from this gate, with this weight, should see him competitive again.
4. DECISION TIME – B Shinn (2)
This 6yo by Foreplay claimed the G3 Concorde Stakes first up from a spell a fortnight ago, just as he did last year before stepping out in this race as the 6/4 favourite. Coincidentally, in last year’s race he also jumped from barrier number two but couldn’t run down the speedy Love Conquers All and finished fifth (beaten 1.4 lengths). He’ll be right on the speed again from his good gate and this year, may be able to go 1.4 lengths better.
5. TIGER TEES – C Reith (6)
Tough front-running type from Joe Pride’s Warwick Farm stable who failed to impress in three starts during the autumn and was immediately spelled. For his return to racing here, he was given a winning barrier trial last week, the same pattern of preparation that has seen him go well fresh before. Gate six should see him in or on the speed and at his best, would be in this for a long way.
6. HIDDEN WARRIOR – N Berry (13)
Speedy Hidden Dragon gelding who will shoot across from his wide draw here. He rounded out his last preparation with consecutive wins in a BM 95 at Rosehill (1350m) and at the same track and distance, a 1 ¼ length win in Open class, defeating Nocturnelle. Might find this a bit too slick first up.
7. SPIRIT OF BOOM – N Hall (14)
This 6yo’s last win came on the Gold Coast in the summer of 2012, when he took out the Magic Millions Cup (1400m). Since then, the Tony Gollan trained runner has finished in a frustrating string of placings that include three at Group 2 level and two at the top grade, Group 1. He’ll tackle this race first up and whilst only having one fresh win from eight starts, does have a further five placings to his credit. He’ll be giving them a big start but watch for him late.
8. FAMOUS SEAMUS – T Clark (5)
After taking out the Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) on the Gold Coast earlier this year, the Noel Mayfield-Smith trained galloper finished down the track in both the G3 BRC Sprint and G1 Stradbroke Handicap and was spelled. He’s had a barrier trail in readiness for his return and his last start over this track/trip, he produced a big finish to win the Listed Lightning. This tougher though.
9. AERONAUTICAL – J Cassidy (7)
Always shown plenty of ability has this son of Encosta de Lago but can prove hard to catch. He’s a back-maker that needs the race to pan out a certain way to enable him to produce his best. He ran third (at 80/1) in this year’s G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and competitive again in the G1 Canterbury Classic behind Pierro. Look for him late but probably better for having this run.
10. DELAGO BOLT – J Bowman (8)
A Queensland galloper who likes to get back in his races and charge home. He was well-ridden by Bowman last start in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) and finished well, in limited room on the line, to claim third 1.2 lengths behind Decision Time. Bowman will look to tag something into the race and produce the son of Delago Brom wide after topping the rise. Last run suggests he is capable of being in the finish here and at $17.00, is good each way value.
11. SESSIONS – (3)
Smart galloper who resumed from a nine week break in the G3 Concorde Stakes as the short 5/4 favourite. As is his pattern, he sat back early back closed well late running Decision Time, who had a good run on the speed, to within a head and finish second. The extra 100m suits him here but must raise have some concern, given his pattern and being asked to take $2.80, about his inside draw.
12. WELKOM GOLD – K O’Hara (9)
A speedy type who generally saves his best for Rosehill rather than Randwick but has been well and truly tuned up for his return here with three barrier trails since July, the last two of which he has won. He’ll have to go forward but now a 9yo, he’ll find some of his younger competitors in this class of race, too slick.
13. DIAMOND EARTH – P Robl (11)
Won the Listed Denise’s Joy at Scone before two plain efforts in the Listed Lightning and G1 Tatt’s Tiara in Brisbane and was then sent for a spell. It’s been twelve weeks since her last run and trainer Anthony Cummings has prepped her with one trial, in which she ran second to Choice Bro over 1050. Would wait for her in something slightly longer and easier.
14. CALIFORNIA STORM – (10)
Darren Smith has entered this 5yo mare who in her most recent race, back in February of this year, ran second to last on a heavy track in the Listed Triscay Stakes. She’s had two barrier trials, winning the most recent at Wyong almost a fortnight ago but to win this first up would be some effort by both trainer and horse.
OVERVIEW
Take your pick as to who may lead, they’ll go like scolded cats here. Raised concerns about Sessions’ draw above so looking outside of him for some value and see no reason to shy away from Decision Time. He has the gate speed to utilise his inside draw and like he did last week, find a spot a few of the leaders coming to the turn. He was tenacious in running down I’m All Talk in the Concorde whilst staving off the challenge of Sessions late and he’ll be in the thick of it again this week. Sticking with the Concorde Stakes form and going with Delago Bolt for third. He has to be saved for the one dash at them and Bowman will give him his chance.
- DECISION TIME
- SESSIONS
- DELAGO BOLT
- HAY LIST