This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Royal Randwick (18th Dec). The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather leading up to the weekend, Randwick will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The in-form Bjorn Baker stable has Kobe Rocks engaged in the ATC Thanks John Williams Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1400m). The 4YO gelding came back well from a spell winning both his trials before finishing 4th first-up (1300m) on a Heavy 9 track at Rosehill three weeks ago. It’s natural progression stepping up to 1400m 2nd up and Jenny Duggan will be claiming 2kg that will bring Kobe Rocks’ weight down to 59kg. Having drawn the rail (gate 1), Duggan will go forward and sit just behind likely leader Supremo and Kobe Rocks is the one they have to catch. Currently at $8.00 in the fixed odds market, Kobe Rocks represents a value bet.
Brad Widdup and Alysha Collett can combine to take out the Midway Handicap with Queen Bellissimo (Sydney Race 4, 1200m). The on pace racing mare had won brilliantly first-up at Kembla before a close 3rd at Rosehill two weeks ago. 1200m is her pet distance with two wins and two placings from four starts at the trip. The 4YO has drawn beautifully in barrier 3 and Collett will go to the front hugging the fence. Queen Bellissimo could prove hard to catch.
The ever consistent Bigboyroy maps very well in the ACY Securities Handicap (Sydney Race 8, 1400m). This Waller-trained Dissident gelding has only missed a place twice in the last ten starts. First-up in a BM88 handicap a fortnight ago, the 5YO finished a close 2nd to Katalin with Brutality another one and a half lengths away 3rd and Brutality had franked the form last week by taking out the Villiers Stakes. Bigboyroy has been allotted with the limit weight of only 54kg and has drawn gate 1. James McDonald will be box seating just behind the leaders with a cozy run and Bigboyroy looks a top winning chance.
By Owens Wong, Editor
