Back to back Group 1’s are set to be run and won this Saturday at Royal Randwick.
A small but talented field has accepted for the Canterbury Stakes, and not surprisingly, the current market heavily favours reigning Everest winner Think About It in his return to the races.
The $1 million Randwick Guineas is the next race on the program where Militarize can be found on the top line of betting coming off a runner-up effort in the Apollo Stakes a fortnight ago.
There are 10 winners in total to be found, and our best bets ahead of Randwick Guineas Day can be found below!
Race 1 – 11:30AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Mahagoni is an experienced miler that brings likable form deep into his prep.
David Payne’s gelding was placed two back over 1600m here at Randwick and unlucky not to go on with the job coming off a wide run two weeks ago over the same trip.
He tends to race well in the wet and dry, so any chance of a rain-affected track shouldn’t worry him.
The inside gate gives Dylan Gibbons options, but if the pair land off the speed, I think they’ll prove tough to hold out in what appears to be a much easier race.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Mahagoni
Race 2 – 12:05PM YARRAMAN PARK REISLING STAKES (1200 METRES)
Castanya was brave to the line late over shorter early last month, beating home the likes of Embassy with a swift turn of foot to prevail in her final few strides.
The Capitalist filly has likable form around the likes of Switzerland in just two starts and appears to have found another winnable race with Zac Lloyd still engaged.
Everything about 1200m at this stage of her prep suits providing she doesn’t give away too big of a start.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Castanya
Race 3 – 12:40PM RANDWICK CITY STAKES (2000 METRES)
Almania looks up to this class after battling on late for second at Rosehill over slightly shorter a fortnight ago.
Kris Lees’ old boy was coming off a four-week break, settling along the fence upon straightening and holding good ground behind the fast-finishing More Felons.
He should be plenty fit now third-up and suited by any rain about.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Almania
Race 4 – 1:15PM TOKYO CITY KEIBA FIREBALL STAKES (1100 METRES)
Facile will run fitter second-up for her run in the Light Fingers two weeks ago where she found the going a bit tough over the final 200m.
The lightly-raced daughter of Trapeze Artist led out of the turn and weakened over the final stages, getting a little off balance at one point where she finished 2.6 lengths off the impressive Kimochi and Learning To Fly.
It was still a run that suggests there’s scope for improvement though, especially if the rain falls between now and the jump.
Back in what appears to be an easier race, I think she’s better than the market might suggest.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Facile
Race 5 – 1:50PM UNSW TODMAN STAKES (1200 METRES)
Cracking race here between the two-year-olds with a genuine case to be made for a handful.
Switzerland is an unbeaten colt for Chris Waller that was a solid winner of the Pierro Plate three weeks ago in just his second start.
The son of Snitzel stoked up nicely down the outside to boot clear and win, gapping Shangri La Express by close to a length in the run home.
He still looks like he’s got a gear to go, and I think we might see that here under James McDonald if he’s afforded a patient sit just off the speed.
With the Slipper up next, this looks like the right race for him to stamp his authority.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Authority
Race 6 – 2:25PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES [GROUP 2 (1000 METRES)
Private Eye should flex his muscle here after going toe-to-toe with Imperatriz fresh in the Lightning a few weeks ago.
Joe Pride’s Group 1 winner tried hard up on the speed, giving the favourite a real scare before conceding late in a strong go for the line where he was beaten half a length.
The step back to Group 2 level is an interesting one – and so to is the decision to race over 1000m again – but all things being equal, we should see his class do most of the talking here.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Private Eye
Race 7 – 3:00PM JAMES SQUIRE CANTERBURY STAKES (1300 METRES)
Think About It almost picks himself here in this small field stepping out in the Canterbury Stakes.
Joe Pride’s five-year-old is unbeaten first-up, also boasting a perfect two-from-two record at the very top level.
The winner of last year’s Everest capped off the spring third to Bella Nipotina in the Giga Kick Stakes last November, but does look ready to remind everyone just how talented he is on the back of two impressive trials.
Imperatriz heading to Melbourne is a huge result, and if Espiona chooses to do the same, I have a tough time seeing anything else beating the son of So You Think.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Think About It
Race 8 – 3:35PM THE AGENCY RANDWICK GUINEAS (1600 METRES)
Hard to get away from Militarize in the second Group 1 feature.
The colt by Dundeel flashed home late in the Apollo two weeks ago over 1400m, form that has since been franked with Think It Over coming out and upsetting Fangirl in the Verry Elleegant last Saturday.
We know he’ll see out the mile after winning the Champagne Stakes last year as a two-year-old, while there was plenty to like about his efforts against tougher horses in the Guineas/Cox Plate double over the spring.
Armed with late speed and likely to enjoy a sit under J-Mac, I think he’s one of the better bets of the day.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Militarize
Race 9 – 4:15PM MOSTYNCOPPER ASPIRATION QUALITY (1600 METRES)
Howgoodareyou is better suited out over these longer trips.
A dry track will be the key to her chances, especially after weakening badly on wet going two weeks ago over 1300m at Rosehill.
That said, her best win came over the mile as a three-year-old, while she’s also hard fit and proven at this stage of her prep.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Howgoodareyou
Race 10 – 4:55PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS WENONA GIRL QUALITY (1200 METRES)
Miss Hellfire gets back to her home track where she won quite well two runs back in late December.
The Hellbent mare was runner-up to the smart Lady Laguna on Magic Millions Day last start on the Gold Coast, a solid effort given she was always wide off a slow start.
The gate probably isn’t ideal, but with a trial between starts and Tommy Sherry in decent form, I think the pair appeal at each-way odds.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Miss Hellfire
