Chipping Norton Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (25th Feb). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with showers forecast for Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
Kerry Parker-trained Hope In Your Heart had a breakthrough spring campaign with two Group 3 wins and she will resumed in the Group 2 Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbred Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). Parker has given the mare two nice trials in preparation for her first-up run. The 4YO has won twice and placed twice over 1400m and she has a good record on Soft tracks. Tim Clark will settle mid-field on the fence from barrier 2 and Hope In The Heart will hit the line strongly.
Zoustar filly Zougotcha could win the Surround Stakes first-up (Sydney Race 7, 1400m). The filly had a terrific winning run last campaign culminating to victory in the Group 1 Flight Stakes. The 3YO is unbeaten first-up winning two from two and she loves Randwick winning three races and a 2nd from four starts at the venue. With North Star Lass and Cinderella Days setting the pace, McDonald should be able to slot in behind the leading bunch and Zougotcha will run over the top of this field.
Fangirl could be the one to upset hot favourite Anamoe in the Chipping Norton Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 1600m). The 4YO mare stormed home for 3rd last start in the Apollo Stakes and she will be fitter when second-up on Saturday. She won twice on Soft tracks and she has as good a record at Randwick. Kerrin McEvoy continues his association with Fangirl and from the rail’s gate, McEvoy will drop back behind mid-field on the fence and Fangirl will fly down the Randwick straight. Currently at $8.00 in the fixed odds market, Fangirl represents a value bet.
By Owens Wong
