This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Royal Randwick (19th Dec). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with showers forecast for Sydney over the next couple of days. Randwick is likely to remain in the Soft range on raceday.
Godolphin-owned Paulele looks a strong chance in the opening event at Randwick (Sydney Race 1, 1200m). This Dawn Approach colt won on debut over 1000m at Mooney Valley three weeks ago. With natural improvement, the 2YO should be ready to step up to 1200m. Being by Dawn Approach, Paulele should handle the anticipated Soft track. From the inside gate (1), Kerrin McEvoy will settle just behind the leading bunch on the fence and Paulele will finish the race off strongly with a cosy run in transit.
Gone Bye is set to take out the Schembrae’s@Blueberry Hills Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). This 4YO from the in-form Mark Newnham stable has been very consistent with a win and three placings from his last four starts. Tom Sherry rode a good race two starts back over 1900m at Canterbury leading from start to finish before a close 2nd over 2000m two weeks ago. The gelding can handle the wet conditions and will be strong at the end of the 2000m. With Sherry’s 2kg claim, Gone Bye will only be carrying 55kg. From barrier 2, Sherry will go straight to the front to control the pace and Gone Bye could prove hard to catch.
Mark Newnham and Tom Sherry can combine again to take out the Sky Racing Active Handicap with Fulmina (Sydney Race 5, 1600m). This 4YO mare had won her only start at Randwick and she has a win and a 2nd from two starts over the mile. Fulmina also has very strong wet track form with three wins and a 2nd from five attempts in the wet. Nicely drawn in barrier 4, Sherry will settle somewhere mid-field and Fulmina will simply be too strong at the finish.
By Owens Wong, Editor
