This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Royal Randwick. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on race day.
John O’Shea-trained Twentyfour Carat looks the horse to beat in the Schweppes Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1400m). This 3YO has been rather consistent winning 1st up over this trip then failed to run on when 2nd up at Warwick Farm. The colt then returned to form finishing 2nd last start on 6th December. The 1400m is his pet distance and he should just about peaking being 4th up on Saturday. Twentyfour Carat has only been allotted with 53kg and has drawn the gun gate in barrier 2. Kerrin McEvoy will take advantage of the gate and settle just behind the leaders on the fence. With a cushy run in transit, Twentyfour Carat will finish the race off strongly.
Fun Fact has stepped up to his right distance and the gelding is ready to win in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). The Bjorn Baker-trained 4YO was outclassed when 1st up in the Golden Eagle, then he ran a creditable 4th over the mile on 23rd November. Stepping up to 2000m last start, Samantha Clenton rode a beauty going straight to the front and only got run down in the last stride by Guise. Nash Rawiller will take over the rein on Saturday and from the inside barrier (1), Fun Fact will go to the lead and he could be hard to catch.
David Pfieffer-trained The Party Girl can make it back-to-back race wins in the December Handicap (Sydney Race 5,1400m). This Sebring mare is a winner having 6 career victories from 22 starts. She did a good job last start winning over 1200m at Rosehill coming from last to over-power the field. Stepping up to 1400m 3rd up looks ideal and The Party Girl has a win and a 2nd from 2 starts over this track and trip. Being a backmarker, the small field will help the 5YO and with only 53kg on her back, watch The Party Girl flies home in the last furlong.
By Owens Wong, Editor
