From Terry Evans
Horse: Amalfi Amore
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Highway Hcp) While he’s an outsider in the TAB Highway, he could give a bit of cheek. He’s going down as a mate for the other guy (Sir Ravanelli) but he’s not useless. His run at Grafton was terrific over a mile and we had to run him at Tuncurry to qualify him for the country and Highway races. He’s a tough little horse and doesn’t give up. I think 1600m is his go and we’ll have a throw at the stumps.
Horse: Sir Ravanelli
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 10, TAB Hcp) Just looking at him I think he can win one or two of those races (benchmark handicaps) but you need luck on your side when you go to the big smoke. We had one little bit of interest in the Kosciuszko this year, I thought he might have gone pretty well, but hopefully next year. He’s drawn a good gate (5) so we can go forward and without leading be up on the pace a bit. He’s going as well as we can have him at this time of his preparation and we’ll see how he aims up. He’ll give it a shake I think.
From John Thompson
Horse: Auspicious Cloud
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Kia Ora Prague Hcp) Auspicious Cloud is unbeaten on heavy. I don’t think we’ll get heavy….but she’s a big mare and the riders who have ridden her her last few starts have said softer conditions will help and she gets that on Saturday.
Horse: Deniliquin
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Kia Ora Prague Hcp) Deniliquin tackled that race third-up (last start 5th) and I expect him to strip significantly fitter. He ran up to do something the other day and just petered on his run, and again, he loves the wet.
Horse: With Your Blessing
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Precise Air Hcp) With Your Blessing drops back to benchmark company in the Precise Air Handicap after being beaten less than two lengths behind Recommendation in the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes. He went up to stakes grade and he didn’t disgrace himself, he was only beaten a length-and-a-half. He’s back in grade and he’s back in distance, which I hate doing, but that was the option, and he’s looking for rain. He won at Kembla well on the heavy, then on the firm track the other day he was OK, but softer conditions will enhance his chances.
From Joseph Pride
Horse: Sinawann
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, Schweppes Hcp) Sinawann ran a slashing 4th in the Razor Sharp at his third run back but with barrier one (on Saturday) he may not need to concede the sort of start he did in that sprint where he drew wide and conceded a big start. He had a bit of a flashing light on the other day, hopefully he can find the necessary improvement. It looks the right race for him, he should go close. He’s been drawing wide and we’ve had to go back on him. If he can begin well he can race a bit handier as well and that could help him.
Horse: Testator Silens
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 10, TAB Hcp) I thought he ran a good race (2nd over 1200m at Warwick Farm on December 6). He’s a pretty talented horse who has mixed his form a fair bit. He’s drawn well (gate 2), which is good, he shouldn’t have to do too much work from that barrier. Again, I’d be a bit disappointed if he wasn’t thereabouts.
Horse: Ceolwulf
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 10, TAB Hcp) We’re giving him a summer prep because he went ‘shinny’ (shin sore) in the spring and I thought it was going to be a long time going to the autumn without a prep. I wanted to test his ability to remain a colt as well, so I’m just giving him this little summer prep. Stepped quickly up to stakes level, he finished runner-up to Encap in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill in September and behind him in 3rd was Tom Kitten, who progressed to claim the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes six weeks later. I’m kind of thinking to myself that if he goes really well, he could be a Randwick Guineas type of horse. That run in the Ming Dynasty tells me he’s not too far off the best of his generation, so why not? He’s still on the way up and given his pedigree he’s only going to get better as he gets older. I think 1300m is appropriate for him, nice to see him draw well, a little bit of rain around I’m happy with because he just wants that sting out. We should see him run really well.
From John O’Shea
Horse: Speak Up
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, The Agency Real Estate Hcp) She’s yet to win below 1300m and hasn’t drawn to effect (gate 12) but it will suit her if the track remains in the soft range. She loves the ground, it’s not the best gate for her but I thought she trialled really well the other day. She’s got a bit of improvement in her but the ground’s going to help her. She’s going to be back, I’d prefer not to draw out there but it is what it is.
Horse: Waihaha Falls
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, Schweppes Hcp) The gelding is a momentum horse and he will be suited beyond the short course on the back of his closing 3rd in the Listed Razor Sharp two weeks ago. That’s why we need to get him out in trip. I think he’s looking for the 1400m now, it’s going to be his pet trip. He was a bit unlucky, if Tom (Berry) could have got out and rolling at a crucial time it might have been the difference. We’re looking forward to getting him there on Saturday. He’s been racing really well and we just need to keep him up to the mark. He’s drawn out (gate 10) but I don’t think it would be a disadvantage to be there.
From Andrew Ryan
Horse: Possibly So
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Highway Hcp) Possibly So’s form guarantees he’s looking for 1600m on the bigger track, primed by two trials at an unsuitable 1000m and also a race at 1400m. The five-year-old has won twice second-up, and has form on rain-affected tracks with Randwick certain to be downgraded after rain. This gelding has nice ability but hard work, big and head strong, difficult to train. Unlikely to be racing only for Anthony (Cavallo). He gets him onto the track and to the races. Stands over him gets the best out of him, we set him for this because we think he wants a mile this prep and eventually maybe 2000m. Hopefully he could be a Country Cups horse. I’m not concerned about the wide gate (16), there’s invariably a scratching or two. He’s a back marker, needs galloping room; we leave him in his comfort zone and he’ll be strong late, always is at 1300m or 1400m. We’re happy where he’s at this prep, he’s forward enough and importantly won twice second-up. He’ll appreciate going out in distance and the big track and Anthony is an integral part of our business.
From Team Snowden
Horse: Customized
Message: (Saturday, Eagle Farm Race 6, Magic Millions BJ Mclachlan Stakes) It’s not a bad thing because you get to know where you sit (against favourite Storm Boy). You’ve got to have a horse who is continuing to improve and if he’s going to be in it (Magic Millions), he’s got to be figuring in the finish. Customized posted a recent barrier trial win at Randwick and Saturday’s B J McLachlan Stakes will be his first race start. He’s a nice horse. He was a little bit new in his trials and he’s been a bit keen at times. But there weren’t too many in his latest trial and he jumped, controlled it and looked like he had a little bit in hand. He will probably be ridden a little bit conservatively from the draw (gate 7) and he’ll hit the line better.
From Kris Lees
Horse: Rogue Bear
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Vale Mr Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly) The platform is there for him to run well from the inside barrier. He carried 60.5kg there so I have opted to use Ben Osmond’s 3kg claim to help him out, and the slight distance drop to 1800m is in the six-year-old’s favour. The quick back up, blinkers on, he could do something and the claim is vital for him as he’s not a big horse. He’s probably got to find a length or two but he’s capable of doing it. It was a nice run last week, he just might have levelled out a touch late with his big weight. We’ve only just started to try him over a bit further ground. He’s around that level but I do think he’s got more to give. It’s the right time of year for him and with the right set up he could easily compete in a race like this.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 1 – Straight Charge
Sydney Race 2 – Father’s Day
Sydney Race 5 – Clear Choice
