From Kerry Parker
Horse: Think It Over
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, Chelmsford Stakes) Think It Over suffered a tendon injury following his epic 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph and was off the scene for 16 months. I did have him nice and forward first-up, so I am hoping we get through his second-up run really well. There’s no indication that he won’t, but a lot of times there isn’t. It is on my mind that he’s second-up, so I’ve given him a cruisy couple of weeks leading into this. He’s fit and well, so fingers crossed we don’t get that second-up syndrome. I have hopefully prepared him so he doesn’t. He’s just coming off a long lay-off this time, but he’s been there and done that and off his first-up run, if he can produce anywhere near that, he’s going to be in the finish again.
Horse: Hope In Your Heart
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Tramway Hcp) She has shown she can mix it in open company with barnstorming 4ths in the Golden Eagle and Doncaster Mile. You look at these big races where she didn’t have a lot of luck go her way, like the Golden Eagle on that firm track when she didn’t have anything run her into the race and she had to do it on her own. She has run in some high-quality races and not finished far from them. This is a proper race she’s in here in the Tramway, but I suspect she’ll turn up and race really well. Although she does get back a bit in her races, so you always need that extra bit of luck on her side.
From John Sargent
Horse: Perfect Thought
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 4, Ikon Services Hcp) Perfect Thought earned an appearance during the Brisbane winter, defeating all but Kovalica in the Queensland Guineas. I want to see him put his hand up on Saturday after a dour return when midfield behind Pericles over 1400m at Rosehill two weeks ago. I don’t know why but his first-up runs, every time, have just been runs. But he should be at a better level now, he’s got soft draw in one. I’d expect a good run if he’s going to go where we think he’ll go. If he happened to win on Saturday, we’d take him down to the Makybe Diva (Stakes) at Flemington. If not, he can go to the Cameron (Handicap), that’s the softer option.
Horse: Palmetto
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Tramway Hcp) After making a successful leap from benchmark company to win The Coast last preparation, Palmetto resumes in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes where I anticipate a bold return. He’s come back really well. I think he should hopefully go to another level this time. He has matured every time he’s come in and from the five draw, he’s going to be just in behind the speed. It’s a good field on Saturday but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t right in the finish.
From Danny Williams
Horse: Wizard Of Oz
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Highway Hcp) Wizard Of Oz has raced twice for the stable in Highway company for a first-up 4th and a last start 2nd at Rosehill three weeks ago. In an ideal world I would have preferred those runs to be at 1100m and 1200m instead of the 1200m and 1300m so have been pleased with his efforts and I couldn’t have the horse fitter. We thought he could go close to winning first-up then a bit more confident second-up but unfortunately was beaten both times. He’s no better than he was second-up but he’s drawn a nice gate and has continued to work well. I think he is more a 1200m horse because he tends to go a little bit hard.
Horse: Atmospheric Rock
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Highway Hcp) We had him entered for two official trials and got balloted out. The only concern is he hasn’t had a jump out and he hasn’t had a barrier trial. He won’t be far away but he hasn’t had those good hitouts to bring him on.
Horse: Montebello’s Charm
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Highway Hcp) Montebello’s Charm is a much improved horse, he’s improving each preparation, and he’s just a bit vulnerable at the sharper 1200m.
Horse: Shelby Sixtysix
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Concorde Stakes) It’s unlikely the gelding will be in a place where he could give Eduardo and Nature Strip a scare, as he did in the Challenge Stakes in 2022, but he’s had the smoothest preparation for some time. Shelby Sixtysix has been busy with three barrier trials in August. We’ve been very lucky that this is the most work we’ve been able to get under his belt first-up but he’s really a couple of weeks off being ready. He hasn’t cleaned up enough and been in long enough to be wound up but he’s come up better. A little cushion in the ground would be perfect for him. He’s lacking a bit of confidence and we hope to see him run a competitive race.
From James Cummings
Horse: In Secret
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Concorde Stakes) You’d have to think they’re going to be far too quick for her over five furlongs. But, nevertheless, charging to the line and running the type of race that you could picture setting up the rest of the prep would be fantastic. A win would be a bit scary, when you consider how much better she will be over six furlongs. If she can just find a way to tack on and get the first half right, and still be within striking distance of being a threat when she makes her run with 300m to go it will make things interesting.
Horse: Pericles
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Tramway Stakes) Pericles who will be out to back up his first-up win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes. It was important for Pericles to win a race to keep his confidence up. Now he has the run under his belt he should be fitter than he was, he was a little pretty first-up and yet he was able to fend off not only Madame Pommery but the first five across the line were stakes winners. So the race had some depth to it. I like the horse coming to Randwick. Remaining at seven furlongs is interesting. If he can be as competitive as he’s threatening to be then he’s certainly a legitimate Epsom galloper.
From Gary Portelli
Horse: Kimochi
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, Furious Stakes) First up, Kimochi settled in the second half of the field from a wide gate and launched down the outside for an eye-catching 3rd to Autumn Ballet in the Silver Shadow Stakes. I’ve had a fairly strong opinion of her, and it was good to be vindicated again. I know I’m not aiming too high. Some of the other horses will be improved out of it as well (out of Silver Shadow), but you have to think she will be too. Jason Collett has the ride on Kimochi, who has barrier 7.
From Bryce Heys
Horse: Dancing Alone
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Lockton Hcp) She debuted at Canberra and has added three Kembla Grange wins to her tally prior to her date with the Lockton Handicap. As soon as I looked at the calendar this race was the one I wanted to land in third-up with her. I wanted to find two races where she was placed to advantage before we ran in this race. Just from a fitness standpoint, she has two runs under her belt before she would tackle what I thought would be a competitive race. It looks a stern test for her jumping into there. Nash Rawiller has the ride on Dancing Alone and the mare has proven she can make some use of an inside gate. We’ll be neutral on her but hopefully she’s not in the back half. I feel Saturday is a big jump for her, she’s been prepared and ready for it, and I haven’t thought of anything other than landing in this race.
From Chris Waller
Horse: Nature Strip
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Concorde Stakes) I’m not saying he’s going to be retired if he doesn’t win but he needs to run well to continue. We’re not here just to make up numbers, we’re here to make sure he’s back. He doesn’t deserve to be going around if he’s not. He’s come back well, he’s trialled well, everybody has seen how he’s come back. From where he’s at from my side of the fence I couldn’t have him any better. Everyone in my team is happy and confident he’ll run well. Both his trials have been brilliant. We’ve just got positive comments every time. At 1000m they’ll go quick. That’s my only concern, just the distance.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 5 – Military Mission
Sydney Race 7 – In Secret
