The Bob Charley AO Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick on Saturday (8th June). The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday and with showers in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will definitely be racing on a Heavy track on raceday.
The very consistent Watch My Girl could be the one to beat in the Midway Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1600m). This Ron Quinton-trained Maurice filly has run into the money 3 from 3 attempts this campaign. She did a great job last start when she dictated the tempo winning by almost 4 lengths at Hawkesbury. The 3YO is taking on stronger oppositions but she is very fit and can handle the wet tracks. Christian Reith will go forward and sit just behind the leaders and Watch My Girl will be ready to pounce rounding the home turn.
Ciaron Maher has put blinkers on Piggyback to keep her focus and that could be a winning move in the 50 Year & Life Member Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). This lightly raced filly won on debut over 1200m at Gosford last year. Piggyback won first-up over 1400m at Orange before zipping home into 3rd at Newcastle over the mile. She got tired late when 6th last start around here. The 3YO is ready to peak having her fourth run back from a break and she is ready to step up to 2000m. With a positive draw (gate 5) and a light weight after Bailey Wheeler’s claim (52kg), Piggyback will be finishing off strongly down the Randwick straight.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Iowna Merc could be a top light weight chance in the Bob Charley AO Stakes (Sydney Race 9, 1100m). This gelding has been rather consistent and being out of a Snitzel mare, he should have no problem handling the Heavy track. He will strip fitter after he finished a close 3rd first-up in the Ortensia Stakes three weeks ago. The 4YO likes Randwick having won three times with two placings at the venue and he has a good record over 1100m with two wins and two 3rds from five attempts at the trip. Rachel King will settle mid-field and together with his light weight (53kg), Iowna Merc is going to fly over the top of this field.
By Owens Wong
