The Chipping Norton Stakes meeting will be held at Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Soft 7 on Thursday and with light showers forecast for Sydney over the next couple of days, Randwick will border on Soft/Heavy condition on raceday.
The Waller-trained Shaquero looks a good thing in the Skyline Stakes (Sydney Race 2, 1200m). This 2YO colt is very precocious as he won the Breeders Plate on debut at Randwick back in October. And last start, he took out the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast. Shaquero can handle the wet condition and he’s proven at 1200m. Having drawn the rail (gate 1), Hugh Bowman could take the colt straight to the lead and Shaquero will prove hard to catch.
John Thompson and Nash Rawiller can combine with Sweet Deal to take out the Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbreds Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). This 6YO mare is resuming on the back of two good Randwick trials. She has a great record over 1400m with six wins and three placings at the trip. She also has a good first-up record. Regular rider Nash Rawiller knows the horse well and he’ll once again be on board. There isn’t much pace in the race hence Rawiller could well go to the front and Sweet Deal will try to lead from start to finish.
Colette was very impressive when she took out the Apollo Stakes first-up two weeks ago and she can continue her winning run in the Chipping Norton Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 1600m). The Godolphin-owned mare has really come of age when she took out the Golden Eagle during the Spring carnival. The 4YO is unbeaten on Soft and Heavy tracks winning all her five starts in the wet and she loves Randwick having won on three occasions at the venue. Rachel King retains the ride and she is likely to settle in mid-field and Colette will once again showcasing her devastating finishing burst to run over the top of this field.
By Owens Wong, Editor
