This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Royal Randwick (30th Dec). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
With two starts under his belt, Sacred Fort will strip much fitter in the Precise Air Handicap on Saturday (Sydney Race 1, 1200m). This Tassort colt ran a good 3rd on debut in a 900m Newcastle maiden before flying home against strong opposition in the Inglis Nursery last start, eventually beaten only two lengths on the line. Jason Collett will settle the 2YO a bit closer just behind the leaders and Sacred Fort will finish the race off strongly.
Gallant Star is the class horse in the Highway Handicap and the gelding could take out the race and justify his rating (Sydney Race 2, 1200m). This Brett Robb-trained 4YO is only lightly raced but is very consistent having not missed a place from six career starts. Gallant Star resumed with a close 2nd over 1100m in a Highway Handicap four weeks ago and he is fitter on Saturday and is ready to step up to 1200m. Sam Clipperton retains the ride and with pretty good pace up front, he should be able to slot in behind the leading bunch from a wide gate and Gallant Star will overpower the leaders in the run home.
Annabel Neasham-trained Naval College looks the horse to beat in the Petaluma Handicap (Sydney Race 5, 2000m). The 5YO has a pretty good second-up record and he did display a good turn-of-foot when winning second-up last preparation at this track. The gelding also has a good record over 2000m. With Jett Stanley’s 2kg claim, Naval College will only be carrying 56kg and that could be a winning weight. Beautifully drawn in barrier 2, Stanley will go to the lead to control the pace and Naval College could prove hard to catch.
By Owens Wong
