The Inglis Classic meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday. And with further showers leading up to the weekend, Randwick is likely to be racing on a Heavy surface on raceday.
The great horseman Greg Bennett will have two runners in the TAB Highway Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1200m) and All Summer Long looks to have conditions to suit. The Snippetson 5YO likes Randwick and he has won once and placed 3 times from 4 starts over 1200m. The anticipated Heavy condition wouldn’t worry him either as he has never missed a place from 5 attempts in the wet. From barrier 4, James McDonald will settle the gelding just behind the leaders and he will be the one they have to catch. Currently at $7.00 fixed odds, All Summer Long is a good value bet.
The Kris Lees-trained Felines can make it three Randwick 1000m wins in four starts in the Ranvet Handicap on Saturday (Sydney Race 3, 1000m). The 4YO mare did well last start winning over this track & distance on a Soft 7 track. She has a great record over 1000m with 5 wins & 2 placings from 7 attempts at the trip. Up in class on Saturday but down in the weight with only 55.5kg. Champion hoop James McDonald will be on board which is another plus. Felines is the one they all have to beat.
The Bede Murray-trained Rafha’s Choice can cause somewhat of an upset by taking out the Inglis Classic (Sydney Race 5, 1200m). Rafha’s Choice won well in his first two career starts before his last start 7th to Blue Diamond favourite Extreme Choice, where he was checked near the 100m mark. Murray has kept the colt up to the mark by sending him to a 900m trial on a Heavy 10 track on Monday, which he duly won. Rafha’s Choice also has a significant gear change, spotting a Tongue Tie for the first time on Saturday, which could prove to be the winning move. Rafha’s Choice is at $10.00 fixed odds and represents a great value bet.
The unbeaten New Zealander Hasselhoof is having his first Australian start and could prove hard to beat in the TAB.com.au Gardenia Handicap (Sydney Race 6, 1600m). The highly rated 4YO won all his 3 starts over 1600m, where he walks in last start in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile. He also won all his 5 starts in the wet. From barrier 3, regular jockey Matthew Cameron will park Hasselhoof just off the pace and receives a cushy run in transit. On facts and figures, Hasselhoof looks hard to hold out.
By Owens Wong, Editor
