From Gary Portelli
Horse: Lipizzan
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 1, McGrath Estate Agents Plate) Ran 2nd over 1000m last start. Steps up to 1200m from a good gate on Saturday, hoping to take a sit behind the leaders and hopefully will see her finishes the race strongly. Last start, she was running off the track a little so a lugging bit will go on.
Horse: Cosmic Cameo
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Jackson Pastoral Company Guyra Hcp) Went pretty average 1st up which wasn’t uncommon for him. Probably needs this run as he takes 2 to 3 runs to get fit.
Horse: Wide Acclaim
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Jackson Pastoral Company Guyra Hcp) Last start winner. With a lot of pace in the race over 1000m at Randwick, Wide Acclaim will be ridden just a bit behind the speed and hopefully he’ll be finishing the race off strongly.
From Kim Waugh
Horse: Dowdstown Charlie
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 5, Ron Finemore Transport Hcp) The Myboycharlie gelding has continued to please the team since his last start effort. Dowdstown Charlie is nice and fit from recent racing and is ready for the 2400m after five runs under his belt. Whilst his form may suggest that he likes heavy tracks however he certainly doesn’t want it too wet. And the drop in weight to the limit will be more to his liking.
From Peter Robl
Horse: Music Addition
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 1, McGrath Estate Agents Plate) Music Addition is versatile enough to sit in behind noted front runners Lipizzan and Florid who have both drawn inside of the son of Your Song. He is going to give himself every chance of winning on Saturday because he is going to put himself in the first couple, will get through the going and ability-wise he is certainly up to this grade. He is a pretty laid back customer so he never works like a champion but he certainly hasn’t taken a step backwards.
Horse: Ninth Legion
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Can Assist Winter Dash) Ninth Legion has got some good first-up form and his trials have been very good. The stable will be confident of him running a big race if the track was a Soft 5.
From Chris Waller
Horse: Religify
Message: (Saturday, Doomben Race 6, Mumm Open Quality) He’s rock hard fit with Hugh Bowman on board. The barrier is slightly awkward but he’ a roll forward horse so it shouldn’t make things too hard for him. Couldn’t be in any better form.
Horse: Elle Lou
Message: (Saturday, Doomben Race 6, Mumm Open Quality) Goes great on these wetter tracks. She’s got a great weight and McEvoy will be riding her.
Horse: French Emotion
Message: (Saturday, Doomben Race 7, Tatt’s Tiara) Without the emergencies, she’ll come into barrier 16. It’s a huge task especially in a Group 1 race. But with Hugh Bowman on board, she must have a chance.
Horse: O’Rachael
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Hyland Eofy Sale Hcp) Kiwi mare having her first Australian start. Drawn a good barrier (4) but has a big weight to carry. Trialled very nicely.
Horse: Aquatic
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Hyland Eofy Sale Hcp) J. Innes will claim 2kg which makes Aquatic’s weight down to 52kg. He seemed to get through the wet track last start at Canterbury. From barrier 3, he should get a lovely run with no weight on his back.
Horse: Peaceful Sea
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Hyland Eofy Sale Hcp) Drawn the rail and very good fresh up. With a good draw and a light weight, she should run a nice race.
Horse: Labdien
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Schweppes Hcp) Should get a good cosy run from barrier 4. She’s going well and she can run home nicely.
Horse: Richard Of Yorke
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 5, Ron Finemore Transport Hcp) Dropping back from 3200m last start to 2400m on Saturday and prior to that, his 2400m form had been exceptional. Brenton Avdulla knows him well and he’s due to run another good race.
Horse: Marenostro
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, Racing To Win Hcp) Tye Angland knows this horse really well. Marenostro loves the wet tracks. He’s cherry ripe and his trial had been good. He should be hard to beat.
Horse: Liapari
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, Racing To Win Hcp) Last start winner. He’s on a back-up but he’s carrying no weight. He’s got a good barrier and there’s no reason he can’t win again.
Horse: Loophole
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, Racing To Win Hcp) Barrier 3 helps as will the wet track. Blake Spriggs can ride at 53kg comfortably. 2nd up and the mile is about right for him.
Horse: Metallic Crown
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, Tamworth Professionals Hcp) Should be fitter. Drawn a good gate and should get a cosy run. Absolutely loves the wet tracks.
Horse: Overstep
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 2, Barwon South West Region Hcp) Drawn barrier 14 but it’s a straight track race. She races very well up the straight. She is in good order.
Horse: Tsaritsa
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 3, Loddon Mallee Region Hcp) Gave her a jump-out last Friday and she seemed to do things nicely. If she’s back to her best then she’s better than these.
Horse: Wine Tales
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 3, Loddon Mallee Region Hcp) Drawn wide but that shouldn’t affect her given her racing style. Didn’t quite handle the Heavy track at Randwick last start hence she goes down to Melbourne in search of a better track.
Horse: Xebec
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 4, Grampians Region Hcp) Fresh up and drawn barrier 11. Had a jump-out with race jockey Craig Newitt last Friday and Newitt was very happy with him. Will certainly be fit enough for the 2000m.
Horse: Encosta Line
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 4, Grampians Region Hcp) Drawn wide in barrier 13. He’ll relish the extra 200m on Saturday. On a Good track, he can run a really nice race.
Horse: Sayed
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 4, Grampians Region Hcp) Racing in great form since returning from a spell. Will press forward from the gate. A bit of a step up to Saturday’s grade but he has done nothing wrong this prep and he fully deserves his chance.
Horse: Hursley
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 5, North East Region Hcp) First attempt at the trip (2500m). On a quick back-up from 2000m and would certainly fit enough for the extra distance. The only concern is how firm the track is as he is better on rain affected going.
Horse: Invinzabeel
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 8, Brian Beattie Hcp) Has been mixing his form since he came back from his spell 3 starts ago. Hasn’t been able to sprint on the wet tracks hence he goes down to Melbourne to look for better tracks. He’ll be hard to beat.
Horse: Wayanka
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 9, Bay and Ranges Region Hcp) Should get a cosy run in transit from gate 2. Won the first 2 starts this prep in good fashion then floundered on wet tracks the following 2 runs. Good track, good jockey, good barrier, what’s not to like?
Horse: Jaminzah
Message: (Saturday, Flemington Race 9, Bay and Ranges Region Hcp) 2 runs back from a spell have been good. This is a tougher race but has drawn better in barrier 4.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 1 – Lipizzan
Sydney Race 5 – Richard Of Yorke
Sydney Race 7 – Tessera
