The following is a survey of Australian horse racing tips for Saturday, July 17. The focus is on the race cards at Flemington and Randwick.
More tips will be added as they become available.
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Flemington Race 8: South Pacific
Randwick Race 8: Oscar Zulu
Flemington
Race 1:
HONEYCREEPER (7) Third up today. Chimed in with a win two runs back at Newcastle but up in weight today. Take holding out. MAMOOL (4) Good show to finish 3rd last start at Geelong and fitter for debut run. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Right in this. AKTOLGALI (1) Solid effort when winning two runs back at Bendigo but rises in weight. Always seems to find the line well. Key player. GONNADANCEALOT (9) Having third run back from a spell. Kept finding the line when 2nd last run at Bendigo but facing a stronger class. Watch it go close.
Race 2:
TUVALU (9) First up from a spell. Was all too good winning last run at Sandown and suited by the weight drop. Winning chance in this line up. I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (8) Third up. Gave them a lesson when winning two runs back at Sale. Keep in mind. SIR DAVY (5) Fought on well to win two runs back at Sandown and displays good finishing speed. Racing consistently this campaign. Solid claims. DIVINE DIOSA (7) Finished on top two runs back at Caulfield and gets some weight relief. Possesses good closing speed. Likely to fill a place.
Race 3:
LINDHOUT (7) Winner last time at this track. Possesses good closing speed. Expect bold showing and to run very well. GALGANI (9) Was fighting out the finish when winning three runs back at Sandown. Won’t be far away during the run. Worth consideration. AIDENSFIELD (6) Charged home into 3rd last time at this track and third up. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Winning hope. CHASSIS (5) Game effort to win three runs back at Sandown and will try to take advantage of the alley. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Has to be strongly considered.
Race 4:
VEGAS KNIGHT (11) Brave effort to win three runs back around here and gets some weight taken off today. Displays good tactical speed. Will take plenty of beating. FURRION (3) Strong record when third up with 2 wins from 4 starts. Stormed home when 2nd last time around here but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Can give this a shake. SCHABAU (2) Kept finding the line when 3rd three runs back at this venue but resuming after a spell. He’s had the ultimate gear change since we last saw him. Right in the thick of it and is a major player. PANCHO (5) Did its best work late when 2nd last time at Caulfield. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Looks promising in this race.
Race 5:
ZORRO’S DREAM (10) Rattled home nicely into 2nd last time at Caulfield and very competitive this campaign. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Can feature. LOWANNA MAGIC (13) Managed to run into 2nd two runs back at Swan Hill and back in an easier grade. Displays good closing speed. Must respect in this event. CAN’T BE DONE (2) Third up today. Solid effort when winning last start at Sandown and dropping weight today. Worth an investment. WILMOT PASS (12) Stormed home when 3rd last time at Sandown and gets some weight taken off today. Has a great burst of speed late. Will be around the mark at odds.
Race 6:
DEGRAVES (8) Second up. Fought on gamely when winning last run around here. Will take some beating today. DICE ROLL (2) Got the prize when winning two runs back here and won’t be far away during the run. Tracking very well this preparation. Serious player. FUNDRAISER (10) Third up from a spell. Dashed home into 3rd last start at Caulfield and goes down in weight. Could work into the placings. ADELAIDE ACE (4) Brave effort to win two runs back at Swan Hill. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Trifectas chance.
Race 7:
DIRTY THOUGHTS (10) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Scored a victory three runs back at Moonee Valley and displays good tactical speed. Has genuine claims in this race. EXPRESS PASS (2) Won narrowly last run at this track. Has a nice turn of foot. Expect to go close. SPACEBOY (4) Hit the line well when 2nd three runs back at Randwick but fresh after a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Can figure. ZAKAT (6) Back after a break. Managed to run into 2nd three runs back at the track but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Sound chances.
Race 8:
SOUTH PACIFIC (3) Was strong to the line when winning last start here but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Displays good closing speed. Should go well. ROYAL CROWN (7) Did enough to win two runs back at Werribee and will try to take advantage of the barrier. Expected to be flashing home. Expected to fight out the finish. SWEET THOMAS (4) Won narrowly last start at Rosehill. Include in all exotics. SAUNTER BOY (5) Gave nothing else a chance when winning last start at Warrnambool and suited by the weight drop. Very competitive this campaign. Chance for exotics punters.
Race 9:
SEB SONG (2) Did its best work late when 2nd last run around here. Always seems to find the line well. Has the ability to figure. ALWAYS IN MOMENT (7) Got the prize when winning last run at Sandown and should be going forward early. Better claims. FOXY FRIDA (1) Fought on gamely when winning last run at this track and possesses good closing speed. Very competitive this preparation. Has the ability to figure. SEINERS EXPRESS (4) Bold effort to win last start at the track but goes up in weight today. Shows very good finishing speed. One of the chances.
Race 1: Honeycreeper
Race 2: I’m Thunderstruck
Race 3: Aidensfield
Race 4: Vegas Knight
Race 5: Wilmot Pass each way
Race 6: Degraves
Race 7: Spaceboy
Race 8: Lofty Heights
Race 9: Seb Song
Race 1: 7. Honeycreeper
Race 2: 8. I’m Thunderstruck, 9. Tuvalu, 5. Sir Davy
Race 3: 7. Lindhout
Race 4: 6. One More Try and 2. Schabau
Race 5: 10. Zorro’s Dream and 13. Lowanna Magic
Race 6: 2. Dice Roll
Race 8: 3. South Pacific and 7. Royal Crown
Race 9: 2. Seb Song
Race 1: 8. Turn It Up Tommy
Race 2: 9. Tuvalu
Race 3: 6. Aidensfield
Race 4: 5. Pancho
Race 5: 10. Zorro’s Dream
Race 6: 1. Django Freeman
Race 7: 8. Pinyin
Race 8: 3. South Pacific
Race 9: 9. Crackerjack Prince
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
NOTE: Rail is 3m. Was true here last meeting and track played well. Inside lanes were avoided by most later in day. AKTOLGALI ran home strongly here last start, the winner won easily, there was 1L between 2nd and 6th. GONNADANCEALOT has 1.5kg swing on him from Bendigo. TANAKA SON was sound vs older horses at Murray Bridge. Winner then ran well against handy older horses. HONEYCREEPER is the only other 2YO here who’s not a maiden and she closed nicely against smart older horses at Rosehill second up. MAMOOL hit line nicely on debut. TURN IT UP TOMMY and CATSKILL can improve sharply at odds!
Selections: 7. Honeycreeper (Top Tip), 1. Aktolgali, 4. Mamool, 9. Gonnadancealot
Race 2:
SPEED: 2, 9 with 10, 11 up there. 4, 3, 6, 8 handy? NATIONAL CHOICE hit the line hard at Hillside second up. Last time he was at 1400m he ran third in a Guineas Prelude to Crosshaven/Amish Boy. SIR DAVY looked ready to launch here last time but was hopelessly held up. BASARWA worked mid race at Caulfield off freshen and did a great job to hold second splitting DIVINE DIOSA (since good again) and I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (bit against him/ran well). TUVALU looked super in two summer wins, running slick figures in latter, he jumped out well. Unbeaten YULONG JUSTIFY is promising. MARK OF THE MAN a hope.
Selections: 8. I’m Thunderstruck (Top Tip), 9. Tuvalu, 5. Sir Davy, 4. National Choice
Race 3:
SPEED: 9, 11 from 10, 6. LINDHOUT cost herself the win by running about two back in my humble. She raced better last time and won very well. GALGANI set a strong speed there and went for home early, with a softer run she is a real danger! CHASSIS was wide/good that same race. AIDESNFIELD finally gets some weight relief and is a definite winning hope with a touch of luck from the awkward draw. DON’TTELLTHEBOSS had a task at the weights last time. She beat Lindhout prior. WHY CHOOSE HER and RED HEELER next.
Selections: 7. Lindhout (Best of the Day), 9. Galgani, 6. Aidensfield, 5. Chassis
Race 4:
SPEED: 9,11 from any of 1,2,3,5? DR DRILL struggled on bog track latest, on his Lee Stks run prior he can win this. SCHABAU resumes gelded and ran good .3L third to Al Galayel at 2000m fresh last prep. FURRION looks ready to fire 3rd-up at 2000m. PANCHO was beaten in quick time latest when finally out to 2000m. ONE MORE TRY did more than enough fresh (3rd-fastest last 200m) and she flies 2nd-up as a rule. VEGAS KNIGHT has become very tough/ genuine. CRIMSON ACE some hope on that same form line. ORLEANS ROCK tries 2000m, it shapes as suitable.
Selections: 6. One More Try (Value Bet), 2. Schabau, 11. Vegas Knight, 3. Furrion
Race 5:
RUBAN BLEU looks ready to win. Wish he drew wider is all. CAN’T BE DONE controlled things to win quite well at Sandown Lakeside and has The Astrologist form from last prep. SIG POSITANO ran well behind him without luck and can win. WILMOT PASS has a case on the same form. ZORRO’S DREAM did look stiff last week and has won at 1200m. LOWANNA MAGIC just missed AIR DEFENCE then was on the heels of The Astrologist here. HASSELTOFF and ISLAND JOY are live hopes fresh. Both jumped out OK without raving.
Selections: 10. Zorro’s Dream (Top Tip), 13. Lowanna Magic, 8. Sig Positano, 2. Can’t Be Done
Race 6:
SPEED: 6 looks leader, 1, 2, 4, 10 capable of being handy. DICE ROLL looked terrific in three wins in Oz then doubt was suited leading last time, he ran well. He has to give a stack of weight to DEGRAVES here and his Oz debut win (backed heavily) was very good. A fast speed set up the fast overall figure that race. DJANGO FREEMAN returns gelded and was on the heels of some proper G1 horses in the Turnbull here in spring. ADELAIDE ACE ended up in a terrible spot last time. He ran well. SIERRA SUE’s best can win. Same story KINANE. FUNDRAISER looks so ready to win but weight scale here no help.
Selections: 2. Dice Roll (Top Tip), 8. Degraves, 4. Adelaide Ace, 9. Kinane
Race 7:
IDIDITFORLOVE was close-up in a strong race here last time. EXPRESS PASS produced day’s fastest last 200m to win well that same day. MIDSHIPS come off Gold Topaz win but back to 1000m perhaps some query? SPACEBOY and ZAKAT both trialled well in Sydney on the same day, both are good fresh, neither boasts a recent win. PINYIN comes back to 1000m off a 7-week break, she has done a similar thing before, and won. DIRTY THOUGHTS had a very good prep latest and jumped out nicely. FINE DANE and ROCK PROPHET have claims.
Selections: 10. Dirty Thoughts (Top Tip), 4. Spaceboy, 2. Express Pass, 6. Zakat
Race 8:
SOUTH PACIFIC was a very strong winner here last start when 6-weeks between runs, he draws out and comes up to 59kg today. SWEET THOMAS won the Stayers Cup at Rosehill with 60kg, he did exactly the same thing last year then ran a sound 2.6L 5th in this race with 59.5kg. FEEL THE RUSH may have led too slowly in that Stayers Cup but she fought hard when collared. $31 early looks overs. ROYAL CROWN chased a good one here last time. LOFTY HEIGHTS rushed home at Lakeside. THE GOOD FIGHT has had bit against of late.
Selections: 3. South Pacific (Top Tip), 7. Royal Crown, 1. The Good Fight, 6. Feel The Rush
Race 9:
SPEED: 8 may lead 6, 7 with 14. FOXY FRIDA is flying and there’s no reason to doubt her at 1700m. She takes on boys here so claim is important. SEINERS EXPRESS was a shade too strong for SEB SONG here latest but the latter has 2.5kg swing. BENGAL BANDIT led that same race and ran well given the aforementioned quinella came from the tail, that was only start five for him. ALWAYS IN MOMENT won well fresh Lakeside. The two times she’s been beaten she’s had a heart irregularity, in both! GET IN THE QUEUE bolted in at Werribee. MONA DREAM won nicely fresh with blinkers on. VILANCULOS, FATIGUES hopes.
Selections: 2. Seb Song (Top Tip), 4. Seiners Express, 7. Always In Moment, 1. Foxy Frida
Race 1:
4. Mamool, 1. Aktolgali, 9. Gonnadancealot, 11. Kaveri
Race 2:
11. Crestani, 8. I’m Thunderstruck, 6. Basarwa, 5. Sir Davy
Race 3:
7. Lindhout, 6. Aidensfield, 2. Don’ttelltheboss, 9. Galgani
Race 4:
2. Schabau, 3. Furrion, 11. Vegas Knight, 5. Pancho
Race 5:
13. Lowanna Magic, 10. Zorro’s Dream, 2. Can’t Be Done, 15. Island Joy
Race 6:
2. Dice Roll, 8. Degraves, 3. Sierra Sue, 10. Fundraiser
Race 7:
2. Express Pass, 10. Dirty Thoughts, 4. Spaceboy, 9. Kalkarni Royale
Race 8:
4. Sweet Thomas, 3. South Pacific, 15. Lofty Heights, 7. Royal Crown
Race 9:
1. Foxy Frida, 7. Always In Moment, 2. Seb Song, 4. Seiners Express
Race 1:
4. Mamool, 2. Tanaka Son, 1. Aktolgali, 8. Turn It Up Tommy
Race 2:
8. I’m Thunderstruck, 14. Thunder Point, 9. Tuvalu, 5. Sir Davy
Race 3:
7. Lindhout, 8. Moscow Red, 9. Galgani, 6. Aidensfield
Race 4:
3. Furrion, 6. One More Try, 2. Schabau, 11. Vegas Knight
Race 5:
13. Lowanna Magic, 11. Kalashani Lad, 10. Zorro’s Dream, 8. Sig Positano
Race 6:
8. Degraves, 2. Dice Roll, 10. Fundraiser, 9. Kinane
Race 7:
2. Express Pass, 8. Pinyin, 10. Dirty Thoughts, 4. Spaceboy
Race 8:
3. South Pacific, 4. Sweet Thomas, 7. Royal Crown, 5. Saunter Boy
Race 9:
7. Always In Moment, 1. Foxy Frida, 2. Seb Song, 6. Get In The Queue
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 1 #6 Honeycreeper (2.20) – LAY BET
Race 6 #8 Degraves (2.60) – BEST BET
Race 8 #3 South Pacific (2.15)
Race 9 #8 Starla (21.00) – VALUE BET
Race 1: 1. Aktolgali
Race 2: 5. Sir Davy
Race 4: 3. Furrion – BEST BET
Quaddie: 2,4,6,8/1,2,4,8,10/3,7/1,2,4,6,7
Randwick
Race 8: Oscar Zulu (4.00) (win)
Race 1:
HONEYCREEPER (6) Having third run back from a spell. Good win two runs back at Newcastle but rises in weight. Rates a winning chance. WAR ETERNAL (2) Despite slipping back still finished 2nd last time at Warwick Farm but up against stronger competition. Must be considered. MISS IN CHARGE (3) Third up today. Won narrowly last time at Canterbury but rising in class. Should take beating. REVIVALIST (1) Nice effort when winning last run at Newcastle and blinkers go on for the first time. Looks set to run a place.
Race 2:
PRIVATE AGENT (9) Had a comfortable win three runs back at Wagga and blinkers go off for the first time. Major claims. ANETHOLE (2) Charged home into 3rd two runs back at Rosehill. Should be swooping on the field late. Better claims. LADY RIVER (10) Was first to greet the judge when winning two runs back at Scone but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Market may be ultimate guide. CAVALIER CHARLES (18) Was strong to the line when winning two runs back at Nowra and expected to be flashing home. Use betting as best guide.
Race 3:
FASTCONI (4) Finished on top three runs back at Canterbury. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Trainer has gone for the blinkers off, take note. No shock to see a win. VRENELI (1) Really dug deep when winning two runs back at Canterbury and displays good tactical speed. Watch market moves closely. MISS JAY FOX (11) Winner three runs back at Gosford and should jump out and bowl along. Been in the money 7 from 9 attempts this preparation. Each way prospects. KINLOCH (5) Solid win two runs back at the track. Finishes off strongly. Likely to fill a place.
Race 4:
LA CHEVALEE (8) Made considerable ground when 3rd two runs back at this venue and dropping weight today. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this preparation. Top prospects against this opposition. ZING (1) Won last start at Rosehill. Likely to race off the speed. Won’t be far away. O’MUDGEE (5) Was first to greet the judge when winning last time at this course and won’t be far away during the run. Racing consistently since returning from a break. Can’t knock. BADOOSH (3) Finished strongly when 5th last run at Rosehill and will appreciate the drop in weight. Possesses good closing speed. Consider an each way bet.
Race 5:
PAPAL WARRIOR (4) Left nothing to chance when winning last time at Rosehill and likely to race off the speed. Going well this campaign. Is in good order and can run well. CRIMINAL CODE (3) Third up. Put in a competitive run when placing 3rd two runs back at this venue. Genuine winning chance. KOBE ROCKS (10) Fought on gamely when winning three runs back at Warwick Farm and backs up quickly today. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Well placed and has solid claims. CAFE ROYAL (8) Ran 2nd last time at Rosehill and displays good tactical speed. Very competitive this preparation. Should be competitive in this race at a bit of odds.
Race 6:
JUST FIELD (6) Ran on strongly when 2nd last start at Rosehill. Should be swooping on the field late. Include in all exotics. HENSCHEL (4) Did enough to win last run at Kembla Grange and carrying less weight this time. Tracking very well this campaign. Warrants a bet. GET THE IDEA (5) Second up. Chimed in with a win last start at Warwick Farm. Don’t disregard. WANDER (8) Strong record when second up with 2 wins from 4 starts. Put in a competitive run when placing 3rd last start at Rosehill and expected to be flashing home. Use betting as best guide.
Race 7:
GREAT HOUSE (7) Third up today. Got the upper hand late when winning two runs back at Rosehill. Expect a bold showing and looks the winner. OPACITY (1) Was first to greet the judge when winning two runs back at this track and can save some energy from the barrier. Suited. CANASTA (6) Good result placing 2nd last run at Rosehill. Should be going forward early. Winning hope. MUBARIZ (2) Showed promise when winning two runs back at Rosehill. In the mix.
Race 8:
OSCAR ZULU (4) Winner last time at Rosehill but carrying more weight than last time. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Has been a model of consistency since resuming from a break. Worth a ticket. SURF DANCER (5) Solid win two runs back at York but resumes after a spell. Expecting to settle just off the pace. He’s had the ultimate gear change since we last saw him. Could take beating. BLONDEAU (11) Displayed good finishing speed when 3rd two runs back here and likely to race off the speed. Has run into the money 3 from 4 attempts this preparation. Can feature. ITZ LILY (6) Let up. Ended up 4.65L behind the winner at Eagle Farm last time on a good track. Should bounce back today but going up in weight. Knockout chance in this.
Race 9:
EXPAT (1) Won last start at Rosehill and won’t be far away during the run. Very competitive this campaign. Main hope. EIGHT DIAMONDS (13) Having second run back from a spell. Finished on top last run at Canterbury and shows very good closing speed. Solid claims. FORTUNE SEEKER (14) Fought on gamely when winning three runs back around here and displays good tactical speed. Can feature. STEEL DIAMOND (9) Having third run back from a break. Produced an eye catching run when 2nd two runs back at this course. Don’t dismiss.
Race 10:
THE BOPPER (4) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Ran on strongly when 4th last time at Flemington. Looking for an improved run but likely to be well placed early. Trainer has gone for the blinkers off, take note. Will be competitive. OUR BELLAGIO MISS (8) Nice effort when winning last time at Rosehill and having third run back from a spell. Should just about get the run of the race. Well placed and has solid claims. I AM POWER (1) Back from a let up. Won narrowly last start at Rosehill and easy to come into at this distance. Suitably placed in this race. NIKOHLI BEAGLE (12) Solid win two runs back at Warwick Farm and gets a nice run behind the speed. Use betting as best guide.
Race 1: War Eternal
Race 2: Private Agent, saving on Anethole
Race 3: Kinloch
Race 4: La Chevalee
Race 5: Papal Warrior
Race 6: Just Field and Get The Idea
Race 7: Great House
Race 8: Oscar Zulu
Race 9: Expat
Race 10: The Bopper
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Sydney racing continues without crowds. Randwick was rated Heavy 9 on Wednesday. The forecast looks reasonably fine – no more rain for the time being – so we may be able to improve marginally. The rail is essentially out to 9 metres. Wind could be a factor? We begin with 2YOs – 5 fillies vs 4 males – and there isn’t a lot of natural pace engaged. Perhaps 2 and 3 lead out. HONEYCREEPER was up against all 3YO opposition last start and acquitted herself more than respectably. Should get to a good stalking position here and I fancy will like an improving Heavy or even a Soft 7. Newcomer HIDDEN SMILE hasn’t offered a lot in two wet track trials.
Selections: 6. Honeycreeper (Best of the Day), 3. Miss In Charge, 2. War Eternal, 1. Revivalist
Race 2:
7 and 8 dual acceptors at preview time and several others were nommed for Saturday’s provincial meeting (which happens to be at Goulburn this week). Good numbers as usual but not heaps of pace. ANETHOLE had no luck at all last start and can hopeully set up closer today. PRIVATE AGENT was last seen 9 months ago beaten at a short quote. Two recent trials solid – a 3rd to Savatiano/Perigord and could have won the latest at home. McDonald booked. CAVALIER CHARLES is 5th emergency as he was last week in a 1400m Highway. He didn’t scrape into that and now approaches this 4 weeks b/t runs and staying at the 1200m. And needing some luck from a wide draw, as he does tend to be slowly away.
Selections: 2. Anethole (Value Bet), 9. Private Agent, 18. Cavalier Charles, 14. Artie’s Aura
Race 3:
Our third consecutive 1200m race and there is a lot more speed from this group. 11, 10, 9 and 1 ensure a solidly run contest. 3 has a choice whether to push forward from wider out. FORTUNE SEEKER may be able to soak up that pressure and kick on to win his time. Sound on return and Van Giz has come from that race to score last Saturday. A Heavy 8 or even better might be an advantage for her so we’ll see what we end up with. MISS JAY FOX is way deep into her prep but showing no signs of being over the top. Her challenge is the last little bit of 1200m. BUBBLY LASS up from Victoria and is on the improve this prep.
Selections: 10. Fortune Seeker (SCRATCHED), 11. Miss Jay Fox, 13. Bubbly Lass, 4. Fastconi
Race 4:
The first of two 1800m races and this is as far as we’re going today. Waller’s trio – 1, 2, 13 – have other options. Speed delivered by 6, with 7 perhaps crossing positively given he is up 400m or this. O’MUDGEE has won a couple of midweekers either side of a worthy placing to repeat winner Papal Warrior. That puts him at the elevel for mine and he can secure the right run. Plus he handles Heavy possibly a little better than some key rivals. Maybe CRIMINAL CODE wants Soft but he did pull up lame last start regardless so we can forgive that to an extent. ZING against the males today and she has to haul 59 but poor runs are few and far between (and mostly with a genuine excuse attached).
Selections: 5. O’mudgee (Top Tip), 2. Criminal Code (SCRATCHED), 1. Zing, 8. La Chevalee
Race 5:
3, 4, 7, 10 the dual acceptors in this one. 8 looks a clear leader but 10 may boot up and out and settle to his outside. 12 to follow the leader? The others like to do it from off the speed. CAFE ROYAL ventures to 1600m for the first time but she could see a cosy time up front and Avdulla takes over. She handles whatever is on offer below her and if we hold up as genuine Heavy is well suited. Likewise PAPAL WARRIOR, who has gone about improving his overall strike-rate recently. Away from Rosehill today but he has had limited goes here and very nearly beat Edison here one day. No knock. CRIMINAL CODE was lame last start and could bounce back.
Selections: 8. Cafe Royal (Top Tip), 4. Papal Warrior, 3. Criminal Code, 10. Kobe Rocks
Race 6:
Speed from 4 and 15, with 2, 5 and 9 the others that could play a part. GET THE IDEA is clearly an early prep horse, having won all five 1st- and 2nd-up runs to date. I’m a little surprised to see him staying at 1200m (previous 2nd-up wins have been at 1500/1600m) but he is new hands now and we’ll go with what he produced on return. WANDER resumed in the first Midway with a pleasing finish. Will need some luck from a low draw but fancies Heavy. And certainly CATAPULT can finish top four, as he has done on all but a couple of occasions across 21 starts. He does tend to get himself to a rearwards position though.
Selections: 5. Get The Idea (Top Tip), 8. Wander, 3. Catapult, 4. Henschel
Race 7:
6 and 5 to lead 9, 8 7. As I see it we have seven genuine winning hopes here. ZING awaits a scratching but with 54.5kg can measure up if they take this option. CANASTA is getting costly if you’ve been on for the win but is steadfastly consistent and runs out this trip no worries. OPACITY was right there with MUBARIZ and GREAT HOUSE last start and comes back to Randwick where he as won x 3. STEELY up in grade but did take care of two horses last start that would be in the market here. SO WICKED has to be some chance if ZING is. Very interested in the market here.
Selections: 13. Zing (SCRATCHED), 6. Canasta, 1. Opacity, 2. Mubariz
Race 8:
5 to lead 12 and 8 with 14 and 13 thinking about crossing up handy. OSCAR ZULU obviously flying and today is the day he has to prove he can do it away from Rosehill. Should track up beautifully in the run and no reason why he can’t keep on keeping on. Stablemate PAPAL WARRIOR has clicked into winning form pleasingly as well and is a threat if this option is chosen. The Waterhouse/Bott import SURF DANCER has trialled well and could kick on if left alone.
Selections: 4. Oscar Zulu (Top Tip), 10. Papal Warrior (SCRATCHED), 8. Mirra Vision, 5. Surf Dance
Race 9:
12 an early scratching. FORTUNE SEEKER draws the paint and may be waiting to see which race she is most likely to control. This, like her earlier option, has a few other leaders engaged though. Still, I’m happy to get involved and say she will kick on strong here. 1400m may in fact suit her better for her second run back. EIGHT DIAMONDS won impressively at Canterbury 1st-up last prep as well and then was thrown into some tough races. She looks to be a filly of talent and definitely don’t want to risk her. EXPAT going great guns. Always wary of a fresh MONEGAL as well.
Selections: 14. Fortune Seeker (Top Tip), 13. Eight Diamonds, 1. Expat, 10. Exotic Ruby
Race 10:
Main pace from 7, 4, 10, 12. HANDPSUN was due to go around last week but with the last two races called off she fronts up here and could have a big say in the finish. She’ll be settling off the pace but if you ignore her last campaign, when clearly below her best, this is a level she should feature in. The same could be said for THE BOPPER and he has trialled encouragingly.
Selections: 3. Handspun (Top Tip), 4. The Bopper, 5. Triple Ace, 1. I Am Power
Race 6: 6. Just Field
Race 7: 7. Great House
Quaddie: 7/4,5,8/1,2,9,10,11,13,14/1,2,3,4,8,9,11,12