The All Aged Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Melburnian visitor Rubisaki looks the best bet of the day in the JHB Carr Stakes (Sydney Race 3, 1400m). The Patrick Payne-trained 3YO has won five races straight this preparation. Last start, Rubisaki won really well at Randwick in the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes under the guidance of Nash Rawiller and Rawiller will be on board again on Saturday. This Rubick filly can handle any track condition and she is unbeaten over 1400m winning all her 3 starts at the trip. Drawn nicely in barrier 2, Rawiller will settle behind mid-field on the fence and Rubisaki will finish off the race strongly.
Kiwi stayer Quick Thinker can make it three wins on the trot in the Frank Packer Plate (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). This 3YO colt had won his past two starts in the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and the Australian Derby (2400m) on wet tracks and he is rock hard fit and will run out a strong 2000m. Quick Thinker has been in good form and Opie Bosson knows the horse well. Bosson will settle the colt just behind the leading bunch within striking distance. Being the only horse to back up from the Derby, Quick Thinker will be too classy for this field.
Godolphin-owned colt Bivouac could take out the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1400m). This 3YO colt won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap brilliantly three starts back before finishing 3rd in the William Reid Stakes after leading the race. Last start in the TJ Smith, Bivouac was given no chance after settling last while the winner Nature Strip kicked away in the straight. Yet he still posted the fastest last 600m of the race, running 35.05 secs. Drawn beautifully in barrier 4 on Saturday, Bowman will settle closer in transit. Both favourites Pierata and Santa Ana Lane will be given Bivouac weight and a start in the straight and that will be enough to give Bivouac an edge in the All Aged.
By Owens Wong, Editor
