The Winx Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (19th Aug). The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday and with overcast weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
Serial Highway winner Matthew Dunn has got top weight Derry Grove going well and he is ready to take out another Highway Handicap at Randwick (Sydney Race 2, 1100m). The lightly raced gelding was 3rd at Eagle Farm and a close 4th at Doomben in February and resumed to win at Ipswich off a Beaudesert trial win. A strong rider like Nash Rawiller will suit the 5YO and 1100m will suit. With good pace up front, Rawiller will settle mid-field and Derry Grove will run over the top of this field.
First-up winner Kalino can make it two wins on the trot by taking out the Show County Quality (Sydney Race 5, 1200m). This Waller-trained 5YO has won well first-up over 1300m in a BM88 four weeks ago. Up in class on Saturday but down to the limit weight of 53kg. Kalino had won twice over 1200m and he has as good a record at Randwick. The gelding also has pretty record on wet tracks. Jamie Kah will sit one off one back in a stalking position and Kalino will be ready to pounce rounding the home turn.
Zaaki is getting on with age but is still racing consistently and he is the one to beat in the Winx Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 1400m). The $10 million earner resumed with a great 2nd to Giga Kick in the All Aged Stakes in the autumn before taking out the Hollindale Stakes. The 9YO has good first-up record and he has no problem handling the anticipated Soft track. He likes Randwick winning twice with two 2nds from six starts at the venue. Zaaki will settle just behind the leaders and he will give the returning Jamie Kah her first Group 1 win of the season.
By Owens Wong
