The time-honoured Winter Stakes headlines another quality ten-race program at Sydney’s Royal Randwick this Saturday.
I’ve done a deep dive into the form of every galloper in the feature race, along with every other contest, and you can find my 2023 Winter Stakes Day Tips below.
The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1100m) – 11am
Cigar Flick makes her return to the races in the first on Winter Stakes Day, and I think it looks a perfect launchpad for her.
The Churchill filly stamped herself as one to following during her first preparation earlier this year, winning on debut before three runs in black type company, all decent.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of recent trials and looks ready to go.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Cigar Flick
Furphy Handicap (1400m) – 11:35am
Resonator has won each of her last two starts and looks well placed to pull off the hat-trick at Randwick on Saturday.
The son of Brazen Beau finished fifth, beaten just over a length and a half at Scone first-up this time, but took plenty of improvement into a smart win over 1400m at Rosehill two back.
He was freshened and returned for an even more convincing win last week, and I am only expecting further improvement for that hit-out.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Resonator
Highway Handicap (1400m) – 12:10pm
Swift Charm is a month between starts, but he only just missed in a similar contest here at Randwick at his latest, and I am confident he can go one better this week.
The Per Incanto gelding won in Class 3 company at Taree back in May, and his last two starts in town have both been very sound.
He tends to race well when fresh and he just need some luck from the wide draw to figure in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Swift Charm
Midway Handicap (1200m) – 12:45pm
I thought that Star Impact had claims in this week’s Midway Handicap at a lovely rice.
Star Impact has been a model of consistency at the midweeks this time in, winning in BM64 two back before only just missing on the Kensington course here last time.
She takes her place at full fitness and will appreciate the drop in weight this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Star Impact
Gipps St Social Handicap (1400m) – 1:20pm
Battleton gave a sight in a similar race here a fortnight ago before ultimately finishing third, and he’s another who looks to be in peak order this week.
The Zoustar gelding needed his first two starts back this time to tune up, but his last two performances have been a whole lot better.
The 1400m is certainly his go, and he’s another that gets some relief in the weights under a claiming apprentice.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Battleton
Racing For Good On July 29 Handicap (2000m) – 1:55pm
Aristonous has recorded two wins from as many starts in Australia and rates as a key winning chance again on Winter Stakes Day.
The former French galloper didn’t show much at the trials after arriving in Australia, but he put the writing on the wall with a smart win over a mile at Newcastle on debut for Annabel Neasham.
He franked that performance with another strong win over a mile here at Randwick a fortnight ago, and getting out to 2000m this week really does look ideal.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Aristonous
Vale Ray Selkrig Handicap (1100m) – 2:35pm
Brudenell rarely returns a poor effort, and he strikes another winnable race at Randwick on Saturday.
Brudenell has won five of his eight career starts since debuting at Port Macquarie last June, and he has continued to improve with racing, and as the bar has been raised.
He did only just get there at Rosehill first-up last month, but I’m expecting good improvement for that effort, and he is a winner at this point of his preparation previously.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Brudenell
Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) – 3:15pm
I’m happy to stick with Cisco Bay when he takes his place in the Winter Stakes on Saturday, particularly at current odds ($14 at publish).
Cisco Bay went to a new level during his spring prep last year and he has returned to racing in typically competitive form this time, winning the Octagonal Handicap most notably, while overcoming a bit of traffic to fill the minors in the Civic Stakes last time.
With appropriate luck, he need only hold his form to be fighting out the finish again, and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Cisco Bay
Bowermans Handicap (1200m) – 3:55pm
I think that Conscript can and will bounce back in the penultimate race on Winter Stakes Day.
Having returned to winning form in pretty comfortable fashion here two starts back, the Time For Wat gelding was a little luckless and flat when eighth at Listed level last time.
Regardless, he does strip fitter for that hit-out, and this does look an appropriate drop in class.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Conscript
ATC Members Leanne Sanzari Handicap (1100m) – 4:30pm
Petulant can continue her rise through the grades in the last at Randwick this week.
The quality sprinter stepped out at Canterbury second-up last month, ultimately returning a gritty on-pace performance to win.
This is obviously hardly, but she’s fit, drawn well and drops in the weights.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 Petulant