The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23. The focus on Friday is the Group 2 Australia Stakes (Race 4) at Moonee Valley. On Saturday the racecards at Randwick and Sandown are covered. The highlight at Randwick is the Carrington Stakes (Race 8). More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Saturday:
Randwick Race 1: 8. Ashema
Randwick Race 2: 1. Art Cadeau
Randwick Race 3: 1. Melik
Randwick Race 5: 5. Rule Of Law
Randwick Race 8: 8. Bandersnatch
Randwick Race 9: 9. Zing and 3. Selica
Randwick Race 10: 5. All Time Legend
Sandown Race 1: 1. Picarones, saving on 3. Artorius
Sandown Race 2: 4. Irish Butterfly
Sandown Race 5: 2. Quantum Mechanic
Sandown Race 7: 5. Grinzinger Allee
Friday
Moonee Valley
Race 4:
VIRIDINE (3) Third up. Fought on well to win three runs back at Caulfield and dropping weight today. Genuine contender and likely to be first past the post. STREETS OF AVALON (1) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Sent around at $7.5 and was 1.8l behind the winner at Sandown last time on a good surface. Looking for an improved run. Has early speed and positions nicely. Major hope. TAVISAN (5) Couldn’t keep the pace going when 2nd two runs back at Pakenham but facing a stronger class today. Likely to be well placed early. Must respect. WIDGEE TURF (2) Fresh today after a break. Came on strongly to finish 5th last run at Caulfield but will be dropping in distance today. Will be around the mark at odds.
Race 4: Viridine
Race 4: Streets of Avalon
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 4:
STREETS OF AVALON has jumped out nicely in the lead up to this and while he hasn’t won first-up, he has placed in 4/7 first-up runs. He loves The Valley and from a race mapping point of view, he looks very hard to beat. VIRIDINE beat STREETS OF AVALON back in July in The Bletchingly and looks a main hope here. WIDGEE TURF likes The Valley (9:3-3-0) and will be getting back and running on. He’s best over seven furlongs. TAVISAN has only missed the minor money once at track/trip in five runs and maps to get every chance.
Selections: 1. Streets Of Avalon, 3. Viridine, 2. Widgee Turf, 5. Tavisan
Race 4:
3. Viridine, 1. Streets of Avalon, 5. Tavisan, 6. Neighbourhood
Race 4:
3. Viridine, 5. Tavisan, 6. Neighbourhood, 1. Streets of Avalon
Saturday
Randwick
Race 8: Chat (4.00)
Race 1:
ASHEMA (8) Freshened up. Big effort to finish 2nd last start at this course but goes up in weight. Should go close. ARTHUR FRANCIS (3) Foxwedge 2yo trained by John O’shea on debut and will appreciate a good gate. Likely to figure right in the finish. BACCHANALIA (18) Back from a break. Came on strongly when 4th last run at this venue and was on debut last time. Consider an each way bet. CHAMELEON CHOICE (1) Was strong on the speed before fading to finish 3rd last start at Flemington and a debutant last start. Could be a value selection.
Race 2:
ART CADEAU (1) Solid effort when winning two runs back at Rosehill and back from a let up. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Looks promising. SHELBY SIXTYSIX (2) Dominant winner two runs back at Wagga but resumes from a break. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Among better hopes. WATER DOVE (9) Having second run back from a spell. Chimed in with a win last start at Wellington but up in grade. Should go close. SUPERIOR WITNESS (7) Did enough to win last time at Taree and shows good early pace. Strong form this campaign winning 2 from 3 starts. Market watch advised.
Race 3:
MELIK (1) Resuming from a spell. Winner last start at Scone and dropping weight today. Main hope. THE FIRST OF MAY (3) Game effort to win last time at Armidale and shows good early pace. Worth a ticket. EXPELLABLE (4) Third up from a spell. Snuck in a place when 3rd last start at Muswellbrook but racing in stronger company. Capable of a place and a good chance. MAKANA (7) Got the prize when winning two runs back at Gunnedah but up in class. Very competitive this campaign. Solid each way claims
Race 4:
THE FACE (9) Outgunned at the finish when 2nd last time at Gosford and won’t be far away during the run. Expect a bold showing and looks the winner. VALAQUENTA (6) Charged home into 3rd last time at Moonee Valley but racing fresh after a break. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Will go well. OSAMU (7) Couldn’t shake them off when 2nd last start at Caulfield and likely to be well placed early. Expect to go close. EMANATE (2) Got the prize when winning last time at Warwick Farm and displays good tactical speed. Likely threat.
Race 5:
RULE OF LAW (5) Won by a huge margin last start at Gosford and shows good early pace. Goes very close. ROCKETING BY (4) Having second run back from a break. Bold effort to win last start at Nowra and carrying less weight this time. Major hope. SUPER EFFORT (7) Nice run when finishing 2nd last run here and expecting to settle positively. Looks promising in this race. VELORUM (6) Fought on well to win last run at Canterbury and should race just behind the speed. Looks to be the value.
Race 6:
SACRAMENTO (4) Having third run back from a spell. Fought on gamely when winning last time around here but facing a stronger class today. Goes very close. NEW ARRANGEMENT (3) Bold effort to win two runs back at this venue and gets a reduction in weight. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Top prospects against this opposition. KISS THE BRIDE (2) Ran past a few when 4th last run around here and suited by the weight drop. Winning chance in this line up. MR MARATHON MAN (1) Came in 3rd last start at the track but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Suited in this race and can place today.
Race 7:
ULYSSES (2) Solid win last start here and won’t be far away during the run. Tracking very well this preparation. Can figure. BLONDEAU (10) Game effort to win last run at Warwick Farm and having third run back from a spell. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Could go well. ZEGALO (5) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Got the cash when winning three runs back at Sandown and now racing for a new trainer Chris Waller. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Contender in this event. SAUSEDGE (4) Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd two runs back around here but will have to carry extra weight today. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Trifectas chance.
Race 8:
BANDERSNATCH (8) Fought on well to win three runs back at Moonee Valley and goes down in weight. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the pace. Top prospects. CHAT (9) Flew home into 3rd two runs back at Newcastle. Shows good closing speed. Gets a chance to win. ORDER AGAIN (3) Second up from a break. Won by a huge margin last time around here. Worth a ticket. GAULOIS (2) Was competitive when 3rd two runs back at Doomben. Displays good tactical speed. Place wouldn’t shock.
Race 9:
ZING (9) Left nothing to chance when winning last start at this track. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Massive hope. STRANGE CHARM (7) Solid effort when winning last time at Canterbury and expecting to settle positively. Very tidy this preparation winning 3 from 6 attempts. Capable of a place and a good chance. SELICA (3) Made considerable ground when 3rd last run at Gosford and likely to race off the speed. Could be value. BOWERY BREEZE (13) Nice effort when winning two runs back at the track. Always seems to find the line well. Can win this.
Race 10:
ALL TIME LEGEND (5) Game effort to win last run around here and third up from a break. Ultra competitive this preparation with 2 wins from 2 starts. Looks the one to beat. SNOWFIRE (9) Fought on gamely when winning last start around here and dropping weight today. Racing consistently this preparation. Right in the thick of it and is a major player. BETCHA FLYING (8) Handy enough when winning last run at this course and carrying less weight this time. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Could run into the placings. BRUTALITY (14) Having third run back from a break. Good win two runs back at Warwick Farm and gets some weight taken off today. A win wouldn’t surprise.
Race 1: Ashema
Race 2: Art Cadeau
Race 3: Melik
Race 4: The Face
Race 5: Rule Of Law
Race 6: Sacramento
Race 7: Blondeau
Race 8: Bandersnatch
Race 9: Zing and Selica
Race 10: All Time Legend
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Back to Randwick with a 9 metre rail in place. Track will be Good as there is no significant rain leading to the weekend and we will enjoy 30 degrees on raceday and only light breezes. And we get a ten race card as we have the split the Highway again. (It seems to have become ‘a thing’.) We get it all going with a lively bevy of youngsters. 33 noms has become 13 + 6 reserves. Perhaps they could have split this as well! ASHEMA was sound on debut and trialled well last week. I’m sure we’ll get some scratchings but REVIVALIST needs all of six to make the field. Like his draw and trialled well enough to say he is a chance here. ARTHUR FRANCIS jumps from the inside. Looks to have a turn of foot. Both those two avoided Remarque last Saturday.
Selections: 8. Ashema (top tip), 19. Revivalist, 3. Arthur Francis, 18. Bacchanalia
Race 2:
Solid pace here in the first of the Highways. 9 and 7 will scoot up front but 11, 4 (and potentially 5 and 10) may want to get involved as well. That depth of pace no disadvantage to the ever consistent ART CADEAU. 8 weeks between runs but why would we expect anything but a solid performance from him. Carried this weight last start and was game. WATER DOVE came back from the break even better and she is bound to have plenty of fans. SHELBY SIXTYSIX had poor luck at his previous Highway attempt. Hasn’t raced short of 1200m before though. SUPERIOR WITNESS gunning for a hat-trick but needs to translate the Heavy 10 form to dry.
Selections: 1. Art Cadeau (top tip), 9. Water Dove, 2. Shelby Sixtysix, 4. Amicus Curiae
Race 3:
Speed from 3 with 1, 10 and 7 sitting handy. MELIK has been sent out a short priced favourite in every appearance so far now hopefully we can get some sort of price about him into what is his toughest challenge yet. He had a trial at Muswellbrook on Jan 7 and it was perfectly fine – sat wide, not asked, on Heavy, finished well. MAKANA gets favours here, possibly sitting one out/one back and if her recent form is good enough we musst also pause to consider EXPELLABLE. THE FIRST OF MAY has been freshened 8 weeks but presumably wants jump and run from the inside. The runner-up to her last start has won twice since.
Selections: 1. Melik (top tip), 7. Makana, 4. Expellable, 3. The First Of May
Race 4:
5 and 9 the dual acceptors. Pace from 9, 2, 7 and 8 (wide). THE FACE is also in the next event – a lower grade race as topweight – and has a big winning chance in whatever is chosen for him, although there is more pace pressure here than the next. The Yargis send up I’M TELLING YA and a couple of those recent efforts could translate well. Lacks a recent win but Rawiller booked and we have seen the Melbourne form effective recently on several occasions. To that end, VALAQUENTA returns as a great chance as well. Solid finish in a recent trial and was well thought of inn good company when last seen. Maiden OSAMU has had a switch of stable and also trialled pleasingly. They could take an easier option but do not..
Selections: 9. The Face (top tip), 6. Valaquenta, 2. Emanate, 7. Osam
Race 5:
THE FACE is in the R4 as well while 3, 7 and 9 also accepted for Canterbury on Friday. If it was me making the decisions (let a man dream) I would direct THE FACE into this race as the higher weight is of course balanced by the lesser opposition and there is simply less pressure against him controlling the race. RULE OF LAW looks most likely in that regard though he has been in behind the leaders in two encouraging recent trials. SUPER EFFORT split Private Eye and Count De Rupee last start and nobody’s knocking that form. VELORUM was a drifter but just got the verdict returning from a long break. Does he have the upside to cope? He still looked a little wayward at Canterbury.
1. The Face (top tip – SCRATCHED), 7. Super Effort, 5. Rule Of Law, 6. Velorum
Race 6:
4 to lead 3 and 2. The SACRAMENTO race from a fortnight ago looks the key formline for this one. Clearly the Waterhouse/Bott galloper has come back well and he can control this from the front if he likes. He was tough last time with the roughie taking up a big lead and this bringing the rest of the field up. NEW ARRANGEMENT had him as they straightened but was just outgunned (and now meets SACRAMENTO 1.5kg worse off). I’m going with KISS THE BRIDE again though. Expect him to settle closer now and he has the irresistible (and not often called upon) 4th-up form. 3 from 3 he is at fourth run in (1800-1900m) so here’s hoping he can keep that stat going.
Selections: 2. Kiss The Bride (value bet), 4. Sacramento, 3. New Arrangement, 8. Picaro
Race 7:
1 an early scratching while 2, 7 and 12 remained dual acceptors at the time of this preview. Does the race hinge on the import ZEGALO?? No official trials in Sydney but he has jumped out in Melbourne twice and been well off the speed in both (and not really asked to do much more). The latest of those was only on Friday the 15th so he has quickly switched up her to race with McDonald booked. Market can tell us. I’d rather be with ULYSSES to repeat his deeds of a fortnight ago. Up the standard 2 kilos and can have the front without much fuss. OUTBACK DIVA may not have to get a mile back and is unbeaten 2nd-up.
Selections: 2. Ulysses (Best of the Day), 3. Outback Diva, 4. Sausedge, 5. Zegalo
Race 8:
The day’s highlight race sees 6 leading 1, 2, 5. CHAT for me. Has been contesting races the equal of this and was done in by the barrier last start. From this midrange gate he can be a touch closer and closing fast. BANDERSNATCH ill be hoping for a genuine tempo as well. Goes back to 1400m which should be fine for him. There’s some history that says GAULOIS can handle a drop from 1600m to the seven furlongs. He’s done it a few times in his career. ORDER AGAIN put down a PB fresh run 3 weeks ago so if he holds up he’s hard to deny as well. CRADLE MOUNTAIN (dual acceptor) was an impressive trial winner before that disappointing return and has gone back to win another.
Selections: 9. Chat (top tip), 8. Bandersnatch, 2. Gaulois, 3. Order Again
Race 9:
An all-mares affair. 6 and 9 draw deepest but can cross to the front. 7 has the speed and may have the desire to push up and make them work. 3 to land in a handy spot without early work while 2 has a decision to make on her approach. DAME KIRI has lifted her game this prep and may not have to get a mile back to launch at her finish today. SELICA’s wins were early on but she is twice stakes-placedd now and gets favours and claims to what looks a winning weight. ZING will need a bit to right getting up and over and there seems to be a bit more depth here than last start anyway. Could still win.
Selections: 3. Selica (top tip), 5. Dame Kiri, 9. Zing, 4. Game Of Thorns
Race 10:
This is a beauty of a final event. CRADLE MOUNTAIN to lead if here. If not there’s still 9 and 10 to put on a good pace. 5 handy on the rail. ALL TIME LEGEND rises up 3.5 kilos but is unbeaten here and sets up well so long as the inside is OK. SNOWFIRE and CISCO BAY had a ding-dong duel last time and try the ‘up in class/down in weight’ approach. Prefer the class of race race earlier on for ULYSSES but going to 1600 may in fact suit better than edging back to 1400m. BETCHA FLYING is…….flying.
Selections: 5. All Time Legend (top tip), 13. Cisco Bay, 9. Snowfire
Race 2: 9. Water Dove
Race 8: 8. Bandersnatch
Race 10: 5. All Time Legend – BEST BET
Quaddie: 2,4,5,10/8/1,3,5,7,9/5
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 4 #9 The Face (2.30) – LAY BET
Race 5 #5 Rule Of Law (3.30) – BEST BET
Race 6 #8 Picaro (18.00) – VALUE BET
Race 8: #8 Bandersnatch (2.60)
Sandown
Race 1:
PICARONES (1) Did enough to win last time at Caulfield but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Making headway every start and rates strongly. ARTORIUS (3) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd last time at Geelong and was on debut last time. Will be looking to sit just behind the leaders. Rates a winning chance. SHADOWHEART (5) 2yo first starter sired by Stratum Star for trainer Danny O’brien. Strong chance to be considered. SUNFALL (2) Competitive effort when 3rd last run at Caulfield. Worth keeping safe
Race 2:
IRISH BUTTERFLY (4) Nice effort to run into 2nd last time at Warrnambool and second up from a spell. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Will give a big sight. JIMENEZ (6) Did a good job when winning two runs back at Geelong. Displays good tactical speed. Looks promising in this race. ALTAI RANGER (7) Having second run back from a break. Left nothing to chance when winning last start at Werribee and shows good early pace. This field suits. DUNE FIELD (5) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd two runs back at Moonee Valley. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Right in this
Race 3:
KINGSHEIR (8) Solid win three runs back at Randwick but fresh today. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Main hope. IMPERIAL LAD (5) Having second run back from a break. Got the cash when winning last time at this track and dropping weight today. Can go on with it. SECOND SLIP (9) Second up from a spell. Showed promise when winning last time at Murray Bridge and goes down in weight. Looks promising in this race. RUN TO PERFECTION (4) Sent around at $10 and struggled when 7th last time at Flemington. Expecting improvement today and always seems to find the line well. Watch market moves closely
Race 4:
MOSH MUSIC (2) Jumped at $4.6 and ran 5th last run at Flemington. Should be suited. Should be swooping on the field late. Could prove hard to beat. DOUBLE YOU TEE (3) Flew home into 2nd last time at Flemington and displays good finishing speed. Winless this preparation. Could pose a threat and expected to go very close. BARTHOLOMEU DIAS (5) Dashed home into 2nd three runs back at Kyneton. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Top prospects against this opposition. STARS OF CARRUM (6) Having third run back from a spell. When $6.5 ended up 2.6l from the winner at Flemington last start on a good track but will try to take advantage of the gate. Can figure.
Race 5:
QUANTUM MECHANIC (2) Produced an eye catching run when 3rd last start at Flemington and likely to race off the speed. Racing in good fashion and a definite winning chance in what appears a suitable race. INTELLECTIVE (1) Did a good job when winning last time at this track and third up from a break. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the pace. Going well this preparation winning 2 from as many starts. Worth a ticket. JEALICE (9) Second up. Was first to greet the judge when winning last run at Echuca but facing a stronger grade. Could work into the placings. GALGANI (7) Brave effort to win two runs back at Cranbourne and third up. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Strong each way bet
Race 6:
DUKE OF NEWORLEANS (7) Made no mistakes when winning two runs back at Geelong and suited by the weight drop. Winning claims. MILTON PARK (1) Won last start at Flemington and expecting to settle positively. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. BELLA TIARA (4) Solid win last start at Caulfield and will try to take advantage of the draw. Open to improvement and has a show in this field. PIG IN MUD (8) Third up. Did a good job when winning last time at Geelong and dropping weight today. Can feature.
Race 7:
GRINZINGER ALLEE (5) Having second run back from a spell. Landed the spoils when winning three runs back at Cranbourne. Strong claims. CAFFREY (8) Dashed home into 2nd last start at Flemington and gets some weight relief. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the pace. Good enough for this and worth a bet. FUNDRAISER (4) Got the upper hand late when winning last run at Flemington and will appreciate the drop in weight. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Will give a big sight. RULE THE WORLD (3) On a quick back up. Game effort to win two runs back at Caulfield. Strong claims.
Race 8:
HEART OF PUISSANCE (2) First up from a break. Could improve on placing 3rd three runs back at the track but goes up in weight today. Looks the winner on initial assessment. KING MAGNUS (3) Kept finding the line when 2nd last run at Caulfield and can find a nice position from the draw. Displays good tactical speed. Market watch advised and can run into the money. WAR CRITIC (10) Third up. Got the upper hand late when winning last time at this course but up in class. Could run into the money. ARCTIC SHOCK (6) Placed 3rd last time at this track. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Could run a race.
Race 9:
NOT ENOUGH EFFORT (5) Second up. Worked hard to finish 3rd last run at Flemington and goes down in weight. Goes close. IDIDITFORLOVE (3) Won narrowly last start at Flemington and suited by the weight drop. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. CHINA AFFAIR (8) Third up from a spell. Left nothing to chance when winning three runs back at this track and gets a reduction in weight. Appears well in this. SAPPHIRE CROWN (14) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Chimed in with a win three runs back at Sale. Could work into the placings.
Race 1: Picarones
Race 3: Kingsheir, saving on Run To Perfection
Race 4: Stars Of Carrum
Race 5: Quantum Mechanic
Race 6: Duke Of Neworleans
Race 7: Grinzinger Allee
Race 8: King Magnus
Race 9: multiples around Ididitforlove and Propelle
Race 1: roving Trifecta – 1/2,3,4,5.
Race 2: 4. Irish Butterfly and 8. Ellis Park
Race 3: 8. Kingsheir
Race 4: 3. Double You Tee
Race 5: 2. Quantum Mechanic
Race 6: 1. Milton Park
Race 7: 5. Grinzinger Allee
Race 8: 6. Arctic Shock each-way
Race 9: go wide in the quaddie
Race 1:
1. Picarones, 3. Artorius, 5. Shadowheart, 4. El Rocko
Race 2:
4. Irish Butterfly, 1. Exeter, 12. No New Tricks, 3. Monsters Inc
Race 3:
4. Run To Perfection, 5. Imperial Lad, 8. Kingsheir, 9. Second Slip
Race 4:
2. Mosh Music, 6. Stars Of Carrum, 3. Double You Tee, 8. Saint Eustace
Race 5:
2. Quantum Mechanic, 3. Lady D’oro, 1. Intellective, 6. Laffalong
Race 6:
6. Wise Counsel, 4. Bella Tiara, 7. Duke Of Neworleans, 8. Pig In Mud
Race 7:
5. Grinzinger Allee, 4. Fundraiser, 8. Caffrey, 1. Holbien
Race 8:
2. Heart Of Puissance, 8. Spud, 12. Translator, 5. Seafield Road
Race 9:
7. Propelle, 1. Fine Dane, 3. Ididitforlove, 8. China Affair
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
PICARONES impressed at the jumpouts prior to stepping out on debut and winning comfortably. She was urged along before the turn and showed signs of greenness, but when she straightened up the final 200m she rounded up the leaders and burst clear. SUNFALL covered ground in that same race and gave a sight but peaked on his run late. SHADOWHEART worked to the line stylishly under a tight hold in a recent Werribee jumpout. ARTORIUS took some time to wind up but was strong late once he did. He wants all of the 1300m. EL ROCKO is another first-starter who’s been flashing ability at the jumpouts.
Selections: 1. Picarones (top tip), 5. Shadowheart, 3. Artorius, 2. Sunfall
Race 2:
IRISH BUTTERFLY returned as a gelding and was strong through the line after being held up for 100 metres or so at the top of the straight. He’s better suited at 1300m. ELLIS PARK won like a good horse over this trip on debut, but hasn’t had much go right in three starts since. I liked his recent Flemington jumpout when a narrow second despite tracking wide. MONSTERS INC kept fighting in the straight to grab third despite looking like he was under pressure soon after turning. ALTAI RANGER can mix his form but his best is very good. DUNE FIELD is right in this on his Valley effort two back.
Selections: 4. Irish Butterfly (top tip), 8. Ellis Park, 3. Monsters Inc, 7. Altai Ranger
Race 3:
KINGSHEIR wasn’t pushed along when a close-up fourth in a recent Flemington jumpout. He had a fruitful debut preparation in Sydney, winning two and proving competitive against Kirwan’s Lane and Discharged, both of whom have gone on with it. INDISPENSABLE has been working through the grades, raising the bar each time. He maps to get a lovely run. The NZ import SECOND SLIP (acceptor at Gawler) made an immediate splash in Australia with a tough on-pace win at Murray Bridge. His second-up form reads well. IMPERIAL LAD beat a strong BM64 field first up. SEBERATE was never on the track at Caulfield.
Selections: 8. Kingsheir (top tip), 5. Imperial Lad, 3. Indispensable, 9. Second Slip
Race 4:
While no match for the in-form Defibrillate, DOUBLE YOU TEE was very good from last at Flemington a fortnight ago. Meets a weaker field here and rises to 2400m, over which he’s placed at both starts. He hasn’t won for some time but he’s going well and this looks a nice race for him. MOSH MUSIC showed in that same race behind Defibrillate that she’s a better horse when ridden quietly. She just lacked her customary dash late after sitting closer to the action there. The resuming NELSON has to be respected. Some of his European form is top-class. He’s won first-up. STARS OF CARRUM next.
Selections: 3. Double You Tee (top tip), 2. Mosh Music, 1. Nelson, 6. Stars Of Carrum
Race 5:
QUANTUM MECHANIC was taken back from the wide draw at Flemington before getting into bother at the top of the straight when asked for an effort. Once clear, she rocketed home against the race pattern and just missed the quinella. From the good draw on Saturday she won’t be getting nearly as far back. JEALICE finished over the top of her rivals fresh, relishing a genuine tempo in front. She ran some good races against strong opposition as a 3YO. LADY D’ORO has been competitive in similar races this prep. Another win looks close. INTELLECTIVE is flying. JUNGLE JANE is a knockout hope at odds.
Selections: 2. Quantum Mechanic (top tip), 9. Jealice, 3. Lady D’oro, 8. Jungle Jane
Race 6:
Good race. MILTON PARK was an excellent winner first up, crossing the line with plenty left in reserve. He’s unbeaten at 1400m (3/3) and he seems to prefer these bigger tracks. DUKE OF NEWORLEANS toyed with his rivals on debut (runner-up won next start) then was unable to match the quinella late on the Lakeside track here. He’s one to follow. I’ve always had plenty of time for PIG IN MUD, who broke his maiden in fine style last start. Loved the way he jumped out prior to the first-up run. BELLA TIARA is obviously hard to knock after an impressive Caulfield win last start over this trip.
Selections: 1. Milton Park (top tip), 7. Duke Of Neworleans, 8. Pig In Mud, 4. Bella Tiar
Race 7:
Hard to separate the first four selections. GRINZINGER ALLEE gets a 3kg weight swing in his favour on RULE THE WORLD, who nutted him on the post when they met at Caulfield on January 2. Rule the World has since run well again, leading the field up until he himself was grabbed late. He did a bit wrong but FUNDRAISER was still too good for them stepping up to 160m at Flemington. The form behind his wins this preparation has stood up. He’s up in class but if he can settle better he’ll be in this for a long way again. CAFFREY just missed Fundraiser at Flemington and now plummets to 54kg.
Selections: 5. Grinzinger Allee (top tip), 3. Rule The World, 8. Caffrey, 4. Fundraiser
Race 8:
ARCTIC SHOCK will settle in a prominent position and take some catching. She had no luck first and second up but was back to form at the Lakeside track last start. She’s ready to peak now. The classy HEART OF PUISSANCE resumes and was last seen tailing off in the All-Star Mile. His Valley win and Sandown Guineas third early on were freakish as he was doing it solely on raw ability. He handed in a lovely piece of work in a Terang jumpout. WAR CRITIC was too good for a subsequent winner in Yukon last start. TRANSLATOR had form around Right You Are as a 3YO. SPUD and SEAFIELD ROAD are hopes.
Selections: 6. Arctic Shock (top tip), 2. Heart Of Puissance, 12. Translator, 10. War Critic
Race 9:
CHINA AFFAIR’s two efforts down the straight at Flemington have been sound but I get the impression he’ll appreciate getting back around a bend. He won well at his only start over the Hillside 1000m. FLOSTAR can be forgiven first up as she was caught very wide. She’s a previous second-up winner and was super in a stakes race towards the end of last prep. FINE DANE has a class edge on most of these. 1000m is his pet distance. IDIDITFORLOVE returns to the scene of his first-up win. He beat a couple of these at Flemington last start. ELITE LEGACY will be over his true odds. PROPELLE next best.
Selections: 8. China Affair (top tip), 13. Flostar, 1. Fine Dane, 6. Elite Legacy
Race 1:
3. Artorius, 5. Shadowheart, 4. El Rocko, 1. Picarones
Race 2:
4. Irish Butterfly, 3. Monsters Inc, 2. Vladivostok, 8. Ellis Park
Race 3:
5. Imperial Lad, 4. Run To Perfection, 2. Seberate, 9. Second Slip
Race 4:
6. Stars Of Carrum, 3. Double You Tee, 5. Bartholomeu Dias, 2. Mosh Music
Race 5:
2. Quantum Mechanic, 9. Jealice, 6. Laffalong, 3. Lady D’oro
Race 6:
1. Milton Park, 8. Pig In Mud, 6. Wise Counsel, 7. Duke Of Neworleans
Race 7:
1. Holbien, 5. Grinzinger Allee, 4. Fundraiser, 3. Rule The World
Race 8:
1. Bell’s Innocent, 12. Translator, 2. Heart Of Puissance, 3. King Magnus
Race 9:
7. Propelle, 5. Not Enough Effort, 14. Sapphire Crown, 1. Fine Dane
Race 3: 9. Second Slip
Race 4: 2. Mosh Music
Quaddie: 3,7,8/3,5/3,6,10,11,12/3,5,8,10,13
Race 1: Artorius (4.40) (win)
Race 2: Irish Butterfly (4.00) (win)
Race 8: War Critic (8.00), Sunday Pray (31.00) (small win, place)