There is no black type racing in Sydney on Saturday, but a strong edition of the December Handicap headlines an exciting ten-race program at Royal Randwick.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:20pm – National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1200m)
Uncorked only just missed in the Max Lees Classic on debut, and she can break her maiden at Randwick on Saturday.
The Pierro filly showed ability at the trials prior to debuting and was just half a length behind the winner in Newcastle last month.
She has been back to the trials since that appearance and can go one better this week.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – ATC Thanks John Williams Handicap (1400m)
Chris Waller dominates the field for Race 2 on December Handicap Day and will saddle five of the nine confirmed starters, including Starman.
Starman has only had a handful of starts since debuting in July, but he has hit the ground running, winning twice.
His first-up effort to strike at Rosehill earlier this month was the best of his career so far, and he will only improve into this contest.
Race 3 – 1:40pm – Highway Class 2 Handicap (1400m)
I’ve Bean Tryin’ faces the toughest task of his career so far in this week’s Highway Handicap, but he looks to have bucketloads of ability, and he can continue his rise through the grades.
The Spill The Beasn gelding finished third on debut at Queanbeyan in October and hasn’t looked back, winning each of his two subsequent starts with something in hand.
There is plenty of talent engaged in this race, but we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 4 – 2:15pm – Midway Handicap (1200m)
This is one of the more open races on the December Handicap card and there is a case to be made for several gallopers, including Prince Invincible.
Prince Invincible was a strong and consistent performer for the Gary Moore yard last time in and returned some eye-catching efforts in strong company.
He clearly needed the run he finished down the order at Rosehill late last month, but I’m expecting plenty of improvement for the hit-out.
Race 5 – 2:50pm – Precise Air Handicap (2000m)
Welsh Legend is ready to win when she steps out at Randwick on Saturday.
Races like this one have been the Camelot mare’s bread and butter throughout her career, and she only just missed in a similar contest at Rosehill a fortnight ago.
The track, trip and draw are all ideal, she gets into the race well at the weights and with even luck, I think she’ll take a power of beating.
Race 6 – 3:25pm – UNSW Handicap (1400m)
Saigon strikes a very winnable race second-up at Randwick on Saturday.
The I Am Invincible mare returned to the races with an eye-catching performance at Rosehill Gardens, which saw her savage the line for second, beaten less than a head by Shihonka in BM78 company.
James McDonald is booked to ride from a good draw and the horse can go one better.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap (1600m)
Euro import Francesco Guardi has improved with each of his four starts since debuting in Australia, and he can record his first win for Chris Waller on Saturday.
The Frankel gelding finished fourth, beaten only a length here by Zoushack when resuming in November, and he has only just missed in his two subsequent starts.
He steps out this week in peak order and might not be offered a better opportunity to strike in metro company.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – ACY Securities December Handicap (1400m)
Frosty Rocks hasn’t been seen at the races since September, but he invariably pulls out a big run fresh, and he looms as the one to beat in the December Handicap.
The Your Song gelding has been outstanding for the Bjorn Baker stable throughout his career, notching six wins and eight minors from his twenty-three trips to the races.
His fresh record currently stands at 5:3-0-1 and with even luck, he’ll be hard to hold out.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Fujitsu Handicap (1200m)
Tycoonist looks well placed to strike in the penultimate race on December Handicap Day.
The Written Tycoon gelding was a model of consistency in races not dissimilar to this one last prep, and he kept his best work for late when flashing into the second behind Mr Mosaic first-up.
He’ll strip fitter for that effort and under James McDonald, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Race 10 – 5:55pm – Schweppes Sprint (1000m)
The consistent Easy Single will go around in the last on December Handicap Day and boasts a fitness edge.
The Maher & Eustace-trained gelding recorded three wins in succession in Victoria earlier in his prep, and he only just missed in the Magic Millions Classic at Bendigo last time.
As long as he handles the change to the opposite way of going, I think he’ll be very hard to beat.