Ballot-free entry into the 2022 Doncaster Mile goes on the line in Saturday’s Group 2 Villiers Stakes; our feature on a ten-race program at Royal Randwick.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
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Race 1 – 12:20pm – Highway Class 3 Plate (1000m)
I’m expecting good second-up improvement from Casino Lord, and I am confident that he can win this week’s Highway race.
The Casino Prince gelding has recorded three wins and two minors from just seven career starts so far, but he clearly needed his first back this time to tune-up.
He’s undefeated at this point of his prep and the booking of Hugh Bowman is positive.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Midway Handicap (1600m)
Travest is ready to win third-up at Randwick on Saturday.
The Tavistock gelding has been a great horse for the Hickman stable since debuting and he has improved for two starts back this time, including a close second in similar company over 1400m last time.
He’ll take further improvement into this contest and will relish getting out to a mile.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Cellarbrations Handicap (1100m)
Dragonstone seemingly doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he can record his second win from as many starts this time on Villiers Stakes Day.
The Mikki Isle gelding didn’t miss placing during his debut prep, breaking his maiden at Warwick Farm most notably.
He returned the strongest performance of his career to date when winning easily in BM78 company first-up and he will only improve for that effort.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Listed Christmas Cup (2400m)
I’m happy to stick with Mightybeel in the Christmas Cup.
Mightybeel has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his prep, and he hasn’t finished worse that second at his last five trips to the races.
He takes his position in this field rock-hard fit, and I’m keen to see what he can do at a mile and a half.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Inglis Nursery (1000m)
There isn’t a lot of exposed form ahead of this year’s Inglis Nursery, but I thought that Calgary Stampede was impressive on debut, and he can claim a nice cheque this week.
The Snitzel colt showed ability at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the way at Rosehill last month.
He should only improve for that experience.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – ACY Securities Handicap (1200m)
Irish Angel made light work of them in a similar contest at Rosehill last time, and a repeat of that effort would see her into the finish again.
The Not A Single Doubt mare has been a great horse for the Waller stable for a few seasons now, but it is fair to say that her last-start effort was amongst the best of her career.
She is another galloper who should only improve and she is my best bet on the program.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m)
I am a big fan of Eleven Eleven, and I am more than happy to have something on him in this year’s Razor Sharp Handicap.
The Fastnet Rock gelding has won an impressive $2.2 million in prize money, highlighted by a couple of wins at the Magic Millions, and he looks to have returned to the races in typically smart form this time.
Fitter third-up and in winning form, he’ll need only even luck to be in the finish again.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m)
Ballot-free entry into next year’s Doncaster Mile goes on the line in the Villiers Stakes and a fittingly strong field has accepted.
There is a case to be made for plenty here and value to be extracted, and I think that Bandersnatch can make his presence felt at a lovely price ($10 at publish).
He needed his first run back when finishing midfield in The Hunter, but mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to finish third in the Festival Stakes.
Fitter third-up and out to a mile, he has options from the rails draw, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Catanach’s Handicap (1600m)
Lackeen looks well placed to strike in the penultimate race on Villiers Stakes Day.
The five-year-old son of Shamardal was very impressive at Flemington when resuming on Melbourne Cup Day, but was a little flat behind Steely back at Kembla Grange last time.
His form does tend to dip second-up, but I am confident that he’ll bounce back on Saturday.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Quayclean Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to give Brookspire another chance in the last on Villiers Stakes Day.
She has been a good and largely consistent horse throughout her career, and her resuming effort and win on the Kensington course here in September couldn’t have been more impressive.
She only just missed after returning from a freshen-up a fortnight ago and with even luck, she can go one better.