The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, December 12. The focus is on the feature races at Eagle Farm and Randwick. The highlight of the day is the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (Race 8) at Randwick Mile. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
Promotions
View bookmaker racing promotions (not available to NSW or WA residents)
Best bets
These may change leading up to the race day as more tips come in.
Eagle Farm Race 8: 3. Frosty Rocks
Eagle Farm Race 9: 1. Exhilarates
Randwick Race 8: 15. Criaderas
Eagle Farm
Race 5:
ZARASTRO (10) 2yo first starter by I Am Invincible for trainer Chris Waller. Likely to figure right in the finish. BABY WONG (2) Placed 2nd last start at Doomben and will try to take advantage of the alley. Well placed and has solid claims. ALPINE EDGE (7) Toby Edmonds & Trent Edmonds 2yo first starter by Better Than Ready and can save some energy from the alley. One of the main chances. Respect. RAMBEAU (4) Has potential to improve on placing 3rd last start at Ballarat and having second race start. In the mix.
Race 6:
FAKE LOVE (1) Scored a victory two runs back at Caulfield and looks well placed in this grade. Strong claims. SWEET DOLLY (6) Won by a big margin last run at Townsville and was a debutant last start. Capable of forward showing and can be competitive. RHAPSODY ROSE (2) Solid win last start at Doomben and gets a favourable barrier. Should race just behind the speed. One to watch and an each way chance. PRINCESS BOJACK (3) Resuming from break. Winner last time at this course and having second run today. Betting is the best guide and has each way claims.
Race 7:
SUGAR BOOM (7) Really dug deep when winning last time at Sunshine Coast and displays good tactical speed. Flying this campaign with 2 wins from as many runs. Appears as a winning threat. USMANOV (4) Good run when placing 2nd last start at Ipswich and suited by the weight drop. Good chance and wouldn’t be surprised to see it pick up a win. BOOMTOWN LASS (8) Displayed potential when winning two runs back at Doomben and should race on the speed. Winning hope. JUST ORM (1) Flew home into 2nd last run at Sunshine Coast but will have to carry more weight. Open to improvement and is a strong chance again.
Race 8:
FROSTY ROCKS (3) Handy enough when winning last time at Rosehill and should come to hand quickly. Rates well and should be taken seriously. PROFIT (2) Having second run back from a break. Rocketed home into 3rd last time at Doomben and shows good closing speed. Expect a solid run and the one to catch. PANIAGUA (4) Displayed potential when winning last start at Doomben and third up from a break. Ultra competitive this campaign with 2 wins from 2 runs. Possesses very good finishing speed. Can figure in the finish. WAPITI (6) Having second run back from a spell. Brave effort to win three runs back at Sunshine Coast but rises in weight. Good prospect for the exotics at least.
Race 9:
EXHILARATES (1) Brave effort to win last time at Flemington and third up from a spell. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Main hope. BACCARAT BABY (2) Having second run back from a break. Did well to finish 3rd two runs back at Doomben and will try to take advantage of the alley. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Contender. SPLENDORONTHEGRASS (14) Chimed in with a win last time at Ipswich and second up. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Has some strong credentials in this race. KRONE (4) Having second run back from a spell. Fought on well to win two runs back at Sunshine Coast and has good finishing speed. Can be competitive.
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
First of two cracking 2yo races both with plenty of interstate representation. Here we have six with some race experience & six without with most eyes on the debutantes. Having said that I’ll go with the two race veteran of the field BABY WONG. This is obviously tougher than his latest run however it was a good one behind Conexy having raced wide early (no cover) yet closing the margin on the winner right to the line with a big gap back to 3rd. He won’t be caught wide today. Decent wraps on ACROBAT whilst ZARASTRO & COCHRANE both did enough in their trials as did ALPINE EDGE.
Selections: 2. Baby Wong (top tip), 11. Acrobat, 12. Cochrane, 7. Alpine Edge
Race 6:
Plenty of interest around FAKE LOVE in this one who couldn’t have drawn any worse. She strolled home in a recent trial beating ASHEMA (also engaged here) who I thought was also very good as they clearly ran the best time of the session & were both given an easy time. Drawn the better gate & likely to take a sit I’m with ASHEMA who was passed in for plenty. Had the barriers been reversed I would have had FAKE LOVE on top, just where will she get to from out there though? Respecting 10 & 13 whilst there’s some handy looking locals with race experience & good gates who can also be competitive.
Selections: 11. Ashema (Value Bet), 1. Fake Love, 13. Summerbeel, 12. Lolanka
Race 7:
The speedy Sugar Boom draws out, map suggests nos.4, 5, 8 & possibly 10 are the ones she has to cross, she does have abundant pace suggesting she’s a good chance of at least getting one off. JUST ORM arguably would have beaten SUGAR BOOM with a clear run last start however his record at this track is average & he meets her 4.5kg worse. I might be on my own however perhaps SPURCRAFT in a very tricky race is the way to go each-way. Tardy & out of puff last 200 latest was ok, no room previous & before that was a length off Hard Empire. PLAGUE STONE a market watch, new yard trialled ok.
Selections: 2. Spurcraft (top tip), 7. Sugar Boom, 1. Just Orm, 3. Plague Stone
Race 8:
We get to ‘The Gateway’ where the winner scores a ‘golden ticket’ into next years G1 Stradbroke. Only Frosty Rocks & Master Jamie to go forward with 5 & 6 likely to trail, that’s it on paper anyway! Without being shoved along early I’d love to see PROFIT make use of his inside gate, he closed very well first up in a stronger race which was run hard, is the step up of only 50m far enough for him? If he’s close enough then I’d say yes. Must include the southern visitor FROSTY ROCKS who is racing very well & will be up there from the outset. Big rise in grade for PANIAGUA, can he measure up?
Selections: 2. Profit (top tip), 3. Frosty Rocks, 6. Wapiti, 8. Vinco
Race 9:
We round out the big day with the fillies & mares to do battle in the Listed Just Now where Epic Girl should be able to cross & lead, Spirit’s Choice may make use of the inside alley, 2 & 11 may push on, don’t see any strong speed though. Exhilarates is the class act with a big weight, not raced for 6 weeks however if forward enough will likely be too strong. Couple at odds I’ll speck, definitely MAOZI who was good winning fresh, caught the eye late second up & will appreciate the additional 100m. KRONE didn’t fire first up in a hot race, since back to the trials for a dominant win.
Selections: 1. Exhilarates (top tip), 13. Maozi, 4. Krone, 2. Baccarat Baby
Race 5: Zarastro
Race 6: Fake Love
Race 7: Sugar Boom
Race 8: Frosty Rocks
Race 9: Exhilarates
Race 8: 3. Frosty Rocks
Randwick
Race 8: Sambro (E/W) – $15.00 / $3.90
Race 2: Field Of Roses
Race 6: 5. Snapdancer
Race 8:
Best bet: Criaderas to win, Royal Celebration each-way
Top 5:
1. Criaderas
2. Royal Celebration
3. Phaistos
4. Outrageous
5. Sambro
Boxed Trifecta: 3,5,6,7,8,15
Quaddie: 3,6,7/7,15/8,12,15,16/2,5,6,10,11
Race 4:
ACCOUNTABILITY (8) Good win two runs back at Kembla Grange and tracking very well this campaign. Could prove hard to beat. STOCKMAN (6) Snuck in a place when 3rd last start at Rosehill and dropping weight today. Won’t be far away. HE RUNS AWAY (3) Won narrowly last time at Rosehill and will appreciate the drop in weight. Expecting to settle positively. Keep in mind. SIGNIFICANCE (7) Fought on well to win last start at Rosehill and backs up quickly today. Should muster plenty of early speed. Capable of forward showing and can be competitive.
Race 5:
OVERMANN (3) Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes trained 2yo by Hinchinbrook on debut. Solid each way claims. THE ART OF FLYING (1) Rattled home nicely into 3rd last run at Sandown. Has the ability to figure. ASHEMA (11) 2yo by I Am Invincible having first start for trainer Annabel Neasham. Solid chance. ACROBAT (4) Fastnet Rock 2yo having first race appearance for trainer Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Betting is the best guide.
Race 7:
ATHIRI (7) Game effort to win two runs back at this track and likely to race off the speed. Racing consistently since returning from a break. Can go on with it. SNITZ (3) Having second run back from a break. Was found wanting late when 3rd three runs back at the track. Looks promising in this race. SOUTHERN LAD (6) Outgunned at the finish when 3rd three runs back around here but back from break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. One of the major players. INANUP (8) Came on strongly when 4th last run at Rosehill and having third run back from a spell. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Can threaten if right today.
Race 8:
THROUGH THE CRACKS (12) Nice effort when winning two runs back at Newcastle. Possesses very good finishing speed. Respect against this field. CRIADERAS (15) Won narrowly three runs back at this venue and finishes off strongly. Racing consistently since returning from a break. Open to improvement and is a strong chance again. OUTRAGEOUS (3) Fought on gamely when winning last start at Rosehill and expecting to settle positively. Going well this campaign winning 2 from as many starts. Serious player. ROYAL CELEBRATION (7) Kept finding the line when 2nd last run at Rosehill. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Suited in this race and can place today.
Race 4: Accountability
Race 5: Overmann
Race 7: Athiri
Race 8: Through the Cracks and Criaderas
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 4:
7 to lead from 10, 9 and 3. Not my favourite race of the day but could have a go at STOCKMAN as he drops from 60.5 to 54. That means a 4.5 kilo swing on HE RUNS AWAY for a 1L margin and 5.5kg over WINDERMERE for a bit less. To be fair though he really does need that next win and to prove that hes not just a wet tracker. SIGNIFICANCE and ACCOUNTABILITY go to 2400m for the first time. I doubt it’s beyond them but still some sort of query.
Selections: 6. Stockman (top tip), 3. He Runs Away, 7. Significance, 10. Windermere
Race 5:
Suspect we’ll lose at least a couple here. The Maher/Eustace trio are all dual acceptors (SUNDAY YUM CHA has accepted in three states!) and ASHEMA has a QLD option in play as well. A bit of a guessing game then at this stage but ACROBAT has blinkers applied after a trial that saw him just shaded by OVERMANN and this draw + McDonald means he could set up nicely for last crack. THE ART OF FLYING comes through some form races but draws way out wide. Possibly wide enough for him to take a different path? ASHEMA was 2nd to Fake Love (no match at all) in her one and only trial. Was a solid outing nonetheless.
Selections: 11. Ashema (top tip), 4. Acrobat, 1. The Art Of Flying, 3. Overmann
Race 7:
Pace from only two here and that’s SPACEBOY and SNITZ (surely ridden more positively today). SOUTHERN LAD went winless throughout last prep and was a beaten short priced favourite on a few occasions. I guess though when you have run 2nd to Classique Legend (which he did here on June 6) the campaign can still be considered a success. Record here is damn good overall but yes connections would like to be winning more often. Not sure that outside gate helps INANUP but he is as honest as they come.
Selections: 6. Southern Lad (top tip), 8. Inanup, 10. Spaceboy, 3. Snitz
Race 8:
Pace from 4 and 3, then 1 and 13?? That’s not a high tempo I don’t think and can see OUTRAGEOUS extending to 1600m without too many worries. He he has clearly come back really well and that extra 100m is only a minor query. To be honest however I found him a bit of a boring tip so I am putting CRIADERAS on top. He’s a duffer with no early speed, drawn wide here and bound to get back. But I sense he is a horse on the up and I am taken by the fact they persist with his prep tot his race. SAMBRO has finished top four in this race the last two years and his Festival return was every bit as good as last year’s. Doesn’t win enough (clearly!) so perhaps a minor slot for him again.
Selections: 15. Criaderas (Best of the Day), 3. Outrageous, 5. Reloaded, 8. Sambro
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 3 #6 Salina Dreaming – VALUE BET
Race 4 #8 Accountability – LAY BET
Race 6 #1 Tailleur – BEST BET
Race 8 #3 Outrageous