The countdown to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with 10 races set at Royal Randwick.
The two-year-olds take centre stage when $2 million goes on the line in the Inglis Millennium, while the Eskimo Prince Stakes shapes as a key lead-up race looking ahead to the Randwick Guineas.
For our thoughts on every race, check out our Eskimo Prince Stakes Day Preview here!
Midway Handicap (1600m) – 11:30am AEDT
Olympic Theatre has been racing well since resuming, cashing a cheque in two of his three starts against similar company.
The Freedman-trained six-year-old was seen doing his best work late a couple of weeks ago over the mile, finding a nice late split where he gave good chase for third behind a slightly fitter horse.
The barrier is against him slightly, but he does look set to peak now with a few runs under his belt.
If Tommy Berry can find some cover and save something for the run home, he should be finishing strongly over the top.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Olympic Theatre
Listed Darley Lonhro Plate (1000m) – 12:05pm AEDT
Taking a flyer here on the Snowden-trained Kingdom Undersiege on debut.
This colt by I Am Invincible cost a pretty penny at the sales, trialing nicely a couple of weeks ago at Randwick where he finished in front of subsequent debut winner, Getafix.
He also beat home one of the top Blue Diamond chances in High Octane the trial prior, form that stacks up nicely for his first run under Ben Melham.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Kingdom Undersiege
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 11-13 Feb Handicap (1600m) – 12:40pm AEDT
Infinitive looks ready for longer based on her first-up effort over 1400m at Warwick Farm on Australia Day.
Chris Waller’s mare finished off nicely down the outside after getting right back in the run, beaten half a length in the end by Hell Hath No Fury, who she meets slightly better off at the weights.
The wide alley is against her again, but with experience racing in tougher contests than this, she’s a definite top-three chance.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Infinitive
Class 3 Highway Handicap (1200m) – 1:15pm AEDT
Trusting the proven hand of Mitch Bell back aboard Rapbidash here in her third run back.
The mare by Supido has put together three wins from four attempts to begin her career, all under the hot hand of Bell in the saddle.
She had her unbeaten streak snapped at Randwick in December when held up badly for a run, finishing two lengths off in a race that has produced some decent form since.
Proven fresh and drawn a better gate on this occasion, she should measure up against this big field.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Rapbidash
The Westmead Institute For Medical Research Handicap (1300m) – 1:50pm AEDT
This looks a nice race for Howgoodareyou to kick off her prep.
The So You Think mare is two-from-two at BM78 level, winning back-to-back starts at Rosehill during the spring – the latter over impressive Kiwi import, Marquess.
It’s tough to get a feel for her based on two recent trials, but looking back, it’s fair to say the Waterhouse/Bott mare has been a firm raceday horse.
In well with the claim and potentially eying bigger races, she should prove hard to beat with a forward showing expected.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Howgoodareyou
Group 3 Silverdale Farm Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) – 2:25pm AEDT
Racing over 1200m first-up in the Eskimo Prince Stakes is an intriguing setup for the Freedman-trained Moravia.
The Snitzel colt was beaten over nine lengths in the Coolmore last time out, settling well off the pace and never really threatening in the run home.
This step back in grade is much more suitable coming off a decent trial run, while I’m also mindful of the fact he finished within half a length of Cylinder in the Run to the Rose.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Moravia
Inglis Millennium (1100m) – 3:00pm AEDT
Express Yo’self has drawn an awful barrier, but I do like the different form line she brings into this race against the boys.
The two-year-old by Alabama Express has placed in both runs at Caulfield, finishing three lengths third to Eneeza on debut at Stakes level – a filly that has since gone on to run well in a Group 3.
Her next effort when second to Traffic Warden was just as good, and she does look ready to fire with a handy jump out between starts.
If Kerrin McEvoy can find some cover early from the gate, she could surprise at huge odds.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Express Yo’self
Laurel Oak Bloodstock Handicap (1000m) – 3:35pm AEDT
Matthew Dunn’s promising five-year-old Derry Grove has made the journey back to Randwick, the site of back-to-back wins last winter where he was simply too good around these short sprinting trips.
The Star Turn gelding resumed a winner in the $1 million Magic Millions Syndicate on the Gold Coast last month, overcoming a four-wide sit to get up right on the line.
Losing Nash Rawiller hurts a bit, but he’s in capable hands under Tommy Berry, providing the pair aren’t too far back when the whips start to crack.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Derry Grove
ASI Solutions Handicap (1600m) – 4:15pm AEDT
Should be a good race between the two market favourites, but I’m leaning the way of Amor Victorious in his second run back.
Bjorn Baker’s four-year-old was enormous on return over 1400m last month, leading from barrier to box where he found an extra kick over the final stages to put 2.7 lengths between himself and his rivals.
The horse he beat that day was no slouch, form that has been franked with the runner-up Estadio Mestalla winning well last week at Rosehill.
This is tougher, but based on his record, the step up to the mile is a big tick in the right box.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Amor Victorious
Precise Air Handicap (1200m) – 4:55pm AEDT
Willing to stick with Tintookie after coming off second-best to a very fit and in-form Our Kobison a couple of weeks ago at Rosehill.
The Winning Rupert mare gave good chase down the centre of the straight, hitting full stride over the final furlong where she was just a little too far back to match the favourite.
She was strong through the line winning fresh here at Randwick the start prior, and given she’s seen out 1200m on a number of occasions, the step up in trip looks perfect at this stage of her prep.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Tintookie