Australian Racing: Saturday 17 July 2021 – Randwick Tips

Race 7

GREAT HOUSE followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a third-place finish next time out over nine furlongs, just over a half-length behind the winner, after attracting plenty of betting support. He did jump awkwardly that day, but from a handy draw three, he will be hoping to make amends here.

OPACITY has cracked pole position and was bumped at the start before being out run very late to end up in fourth place last time out over nine furlongs.

He will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and as such will meet MUBARIZ on 2.5kg better terms than in their last clash. The latter missed out on his hat-trick when finishing second in the race mentioned above, a half-length behind the winner. He did come four wide into the home straight that day, but he is drawn wide in gate eleven and the turnover in weights would suggest that the tables will be turned in favour of the former. 

Race 8

The day’s best bet, OSCAR ZULU completed his hat-trick when winning his last start over 1500M by 1.3L and the drop in distance should not present him with any problems as he won over today’s trip three runs back. He jumps from gate five and looks capable of continuing his winning streak.

BLONDEAU is seldom far off the action and finished strongly before ending up in fourth place last time out over seven furlongs, just over a length and a half behind the winner. He has an even better draw two and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

MIRRA VISION is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she stayed on well when winning her last start over seven furlongs by a head. She has won two of her last three outings and should be involved in the finish, despite a wideish draw eight.

Race 9

EXPAT goes for her hat-trick after victories over 1300M and the latest over seven furlongs when putting two lengths between herself and the opposition. She went from jump to wire that day and the form of the race has been franked. She has pulled gate six and will have 2kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice to aid her cause.

EIGHT DIAMONDS showed marked improvement to win her last start over six furlongs by two lengths when returning from a 16-week break. She is drawn wideish in gate eight, but should still be right up there when they hit the line.

EXOTIC RUBY is drawn one outside the latter and finished third last time out over seven furlongs, two and a half lengths back from the winner. Her trainer/jockey combination have a good record together, so she should be included in all bets.

Race 10

I AM POWER has posted two solid last runs, winning the latest over six furlongs by a head, this despite being bumped down at the start and hampered at the 700M mark. He has also finished third in a subsequent barrier trial. He gets gate three and the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice, both of which will be to his advantage.

OUR BELLAGIO MISS is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she had her consistency rewarded with a half-length victory last time out over 1100M. She has her peak run here and although facing a wide draw twelve, she should use her early gate sped to move across without expending too much energy.

THE BOPPER showed good improvement to finish fourth in his latest outing over 1100M, just under a length and a half adrift of the winner. He returns from a 20-week rest but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. The colt is drawn the widest of them all in gate fourteen, but get the blinkers removed for the first time and if this move has the desired effect, he should not be easily overlooked here.