Ten races will be run and won at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 23rd.
The rail will be set out eleven metres 1000m-W/Post and eight metres the remainder, while at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Heavy (8) range.
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Race 1 – 11:20pm – Schweppes Handicap (1100m)
Zougotcha was an impressive winner on debut and can go on with the job at Randwick on Saturday.
The Zoustar filly showed promise at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with a dominant win at Canterbury earlier this month.
She’ll only improve for that effort and James McDonald keeps the ride.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 1
Race 2 – 11:55pm – Midway Handicap (1100m)
This week’s Midway Handicap is typically one of the more open races on the program and there is a case to be built for several, including Bedtime Stories.
Bedtime Stories has continued to improve with each effort back this time, and was rewarded for her building form with a lovely win at Canterbury last time out.
She steps out this week in peak order and gets into the race well under William Pike.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 2
Race 3 – 12:30pm – Highway Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to give Brazen Impact another chance in this week’s Highway race.
Brazen Impact won a couple of nice country races in summer, and returned in late February to finish fourth behind subsequent Group 1 champion Shelby Sixtysix in a race not dissimilar to this one.
He was freshened and return to action here last week for a midfield finish, and I’m confident he’ll take plenty of improvement for that effort.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 3
Race 4 – 1:05pm – Precise Air Handicap (1800m)
Aleas will take plenty of improvement into his second Australian start, and I think that this looks a good opportunity for him to strike.
The Archipenko gelding won in Listed company in the UK most notably last year, and he began his Australian tenure well when fourth, beaten just over two lengths in BM88 company late last month.
He’s had a trial since that effort and can win this week under James McDonald.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 4
Race 5 – 1:40pm – Grainshaker Vodka Handicap (1200m)
Zarastro has improved for two starts back this time, and in my opinion, this looks the perfect Saturday target for him.
The I Am Invincible colt was a strong and consistent performer last time in, and he ended his prep with consecutive wins at Canterbury and Rosehill.
So far this time, he has finished fourth in both the Listed Moomba Plate and a 1200m dash at The Valley, and he looks ready to strike third-up.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 5
Race 6 – 2:20pm – Chandon Handicap (1400m)
This looks like being one of the better races of the day and there’s a case to be made for a few here as well, but I am going to hold firm with Sensationalisation.
Sensationalisation returned some nice efforts under the care of Price & Kent Jnr earlier this prep, and filled the minors in her first start for Jason Deamer at Canterbury two back.
She faces a rise in class this week, but was nothing short of outstanding with a dominant win at Doomben last time out, and I think she can win again.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 6
Race 7 – 3:00pm – Furphy Handicap (1100m)
This is the easiest task that It’s Me has been set since resuming this time, and I am going to give her another chance.
The Shamus Award mare won each of her four starts during her debut prep, peaking with an impressive triumph in the 2020 edition of The Kosciuszko.
She has only managed to finish midfield in the Triscay Stakes and Bob Hoysted Quality since resuming this time, and will relish the drop in class this week, along with her natural improvement.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 7
Race 8 – 3:40pm – Drinkwise Mile (1600m)
Diamil can continue his rise through the grades at Randwick on Saturday.
The four-year-old entire was a strong and consistent performer in the UK and Ireland earlier in his career, and he returned an eye-catching effort to finish second in BM72 company on debut for John O’Shea.
He was last seen beating a smart field over a mile at Warwick Farm, and he is another who will only be better third-up this week.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 8
Race 9 – 4:20pm – The Agency Handicap (1300m)
Kinloch has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and he is up to making it three at Randwick on Saturday.
The I Am Invincible gelding just got there in the Gosford Provincial Championships Qualifier when resuming this time, and he repeated that performance and result in the final on Day 1 of The Championships.
Fitter third-up and dropping in class as well, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 9
Race 10 – 4:55pm – Ranvet Handicap (1400m)
Last year’s Provincial Championship winner Cristal Breeze is up to the task in the last at Randwick this week, he’ll just need some luck in running after drawing awkwardly.
The son of Gale Force Ten finished down the order in the Newcastle Provincial Championship Qualifier when resuming this time, and kept his best work for late when fifth in the Muswellbrook Cup second-up.
This looks to be a wide-open affair, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 10