Royal Randwick will host its traditional Boxing Day meeting on Sunday, and the Group 3 Summer Cup headlines an exciting ten-race program.
The rail will be set out six metres 900m-W/Post and four metres the remainder, while at publish we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:40pm – Drinkwise Plate (1100m)
There isn’t a lot of form to divulge ahead of the first on Summer Cup Day, but Command Approved has shown ability and I think that he can record another win.
The Spirit Of Boom colt stamped himself as one to watch by winning on debut at Canberra and he takes his place in this field following a credible fourth, beaten by only half a length in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic.
Race 2 – 1:15pm – Highway Handicap (1100m)
Casino Lord raced home to fill the minors behind London Gal in a similar race here at Randwick last time and he is ready to strike third-up.
The Casino Prince gelding has missed placing only twice in his eight previous trips to the races, winning three times and finding form around some quality country gallopers.
He looks well placed to record the biggest win of his career this week.
Race 3 – 1:50pm – Bowermans Handicap (1600m)
Solar Apex was a convincing winning at the midweeks last time and is ready to make a successful transition to weekend metro company.
The Deep Impact gelding has been a consistent performer at a slightly weaker grader since resuming, and he was rewarded at Warwick Farm last time.
The mile looks perfect for him, he drops in weight this week and with even luck, I do believe that he is up to this.
Race 4 – 2:25pm – Midway Handicap (2000m)
Another open race has materialised in this week’s Midway Handicap, but I am going to stick with Pecuniary Interest.
Pecuniary Interest has certainly re-found form since transferring to John Sargent’s care earlier this year, and he returned from a break to strike over a mile here at Randwick a fortnight ago.
I’m confident that he will only improve for that effort, and he should also enjoy getting out to 2000m.
Race 5 – 3:00pm – Bisley Workwear Handicap (1800m)
Niffler puts an unbeaten record on the line in the fifth on Summer Cup Day, and she can record another win.
The Tavistock mare broke her maiden on debut at Kembla Grange in April and was immediately put away, and she has been impressive in her starts at Wyong and Warwick Farm this time.
This is obviously another rise in class, but she gets into the race well under the conditions, has upside and is drawn to receive every chance.
Race 6 – 3:35pm – Fujitsu General Handicap (1200m)
Kibosh returned a nice effort to finish second at Canterbury when resuming, and she looms as a ley winning chance at Randwick on Sunday, at a nice price.
The John Thompson-trained mare has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her career, and she has finished worse than second only once in nine starts, winning three times.
She will require some luck in running after drawing awkwardly, but Rachel King is a positive booking and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 7 – 4:10pm – Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m)
There is a case to be made for several runners in this year’s Summer Cup field, but I am going to stick with last-start winning Polly Grey.
Polly Grey has well and truly started to realise her black type potential in 2021, and she has picked off several nice feature races throughout the calendar year.
She clearly needed her first back this time when finishing at the tail of the field in the Hot Danish Stakes, but she responded with an impressive win over 2000m in the ATC Cup last time.
I like that she has been back to the trials since that win and she has options on Saturday from the rails draw.
Race 8 – 4:50pm – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m)
Tamerlane can win Race 8 on Summer Cup Day.
Tamerlane has been a good horse for Godolphin since making his debut, and he has found form around some above average gallopers.
I thought that there was a lot to like about his first-up effort for second, beaten only a head at Rosehill early this month, and I am confident that natural improvement alone will see him into the finish of something like this.
Race 9 – 5:30pm – Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap (1400m)
Blesk has been a consistent performer in similar races to this one since resuming, and he boasts a fitness edge over several key rivals on Summer Cup Day.
The Savabeel gelding has recorded one win and three second placings since returning in September, and he takes his place in this field after finishing just off the pace of the talented Brookspire.
1400m is certainly his go and even from a wide draw, I think I’ll be prove hard to hold out.
Race 10 – 6:10pm – Heineken 3 Handicap (1600m)
I’m going to stick with last-start winner Waihaha Falls in the last at Randwick on Saturday.
The Sacred Falls gelding returned a fair effort to finish fourth in BM72 company at Rosehill when resuming, and he converted that effort into a lovely win over the last of Francesco Guardi at 1500m last time.
Fitter third-up and slightly further out in trip, he can strike again.