This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Royal Randwick (21st Dec). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Perennial Highway winner Matthew Dunn has got the top weight, Texas Fireball, in the Highway Handicap at Randwick (Sydney Race 2, 1600m). This Zoustar gelding had showed some promise as he was competing in the Tulloch Stakes and the Frank Packer Plate in the autumn. First-up this preparation, the 4YO finished a close 5th in an unsuitable 1200m race before finishing 2nd over 1350m. Stepping up to 1600m will suit better and Tyler Schiller takes over the rein. With reasonable pace in the race, Tyler will drop back in the field and bide his time and Texas Fireball will fly down the Randwick straight.
Last start winner Gilded Water can continue his winning form by taking out the Precise Air Handicap (Sydney Race 6, 2400m). This English import is only lightly raced but he has already won two races with a 3rd from five career starts. The 4YO did very well winning his Australian debut over 2000m at Kembla Grange showing tremendous stamina. Stepping up to 2400 will suit even better. Dylan Browne McMonagle will go forward and sit outside likely leader Farnborough and Gilded Water could prove hard to catch.
The Waller-trained Bright Red is primed to take out the Captivant@Kia Ora Handicap (Sydney Race 7, 1600m). The 4YO mare has been rather consistent. She ran well into 3rd first-up over 1300m before a close 2nd (1500m) at Rosehill two weeks ago. Fitter again being 3rd up on Saturday and she has a good record over 1600m with three wins from five attempts at the mile. The in-form Zac Lloyd will take over the rein and from the nice gate 3, Lloyd will settle just behind the leaders in a stalking position and Bright Red will be ready to pounce rounding the home turn.
By Owens Wong
