Sydney racing will be held at Randwick this Saturday. Randwick was rated a Dead 4 on Thursday and with fine weather leading up to the weekend in Sydney, the meeting is likely to be held on a Good track on raceday.
The Winter Championship Final will be held at Flemington on Saturday. Flemington was rated a Dead 4 on Thursday and with fine weather over the next couple of days in Melbourne, racing could be held on a Good track on raceday.
In the opening event at Randwick (Sydney Race 1, 1400m), Gai Waterhouse can come up with another juvenile winner in Another Al. This gelding fought on well in finishing 3rd last start over this distance but I believe a stronger rider is more suitable. The engagement of Josh Parr on Saturday is perfect and from barrier 7, Another Al will go forward sitting outside the leader. Currently at $7.00 fixed odds, Another Al is a vlaue bet.
The Waterhouse-Parr combination can strike again in the Schweppes Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 2000m) with Pajaro. This 3YO has been racing in terrific form this preparation winning twice and placed once from 3 starts. He was full of running at the finish last start over 1900 and stepping up to 2000m on Saturday should pose no problem. In a race without much pace, I believe Parr will roll forward on Pajaro and the gelding could prove hard to catch.
The Chris Waller-trained Saigon Tea has been racing in great heart lately and once again looks the horse to beat in the TAB Rewards Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). Two start back, Saigon Tea blitzed the field over this track & distance winning by 3.8 lengths. Last start, Saigon Tea settled further back than expected (last at the turn) and flashed home to be beaten by a nose over 1900m. Jason Collett will not settle the mare so far back again on Saturday and Saigon Tea looks hard to beat.
In the Winter Championship Final (Melbourne Race 6, 1600m), I like the Shawn Mathrick-trained Gig. The 5YO mare ran two good 3rds before venturing to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival. She was somehow outclassed in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara last start, eventually finishing 8th but was only beaten 3.3 lengths. She loves Flemington as she has won 3 times & placed a further 4 times from 9 starts at the track. There’s a lot to like about her as she has drawn nicely in barrier 1 and she is on the limit weight at 54kg. She is currently at the juicy odds of $17.00 and Gig represents a great each-way bet.
By Owens Wong, Editor
