What a card Royal Randwick has in store for us on Saturday. A ten-race programme consists of only feature races and includes four Group 1 events. COLETTE in Race 4 looks to be the best bet on the card. She takes a rise in class today, but the manner in which she has won her last two starts suggests she has plenty of ability. Race 8, which is the T J Smith Stakes, is the most exciting and competitive race on the day. TREKKING is the narrow first choice to beat the favourite NATURE STRIP. All in all, a good days racing can be expected.
Other racing tips for Saturday 4 April
Hawkesbury (Winning Form)
Gulfstream Park (Winning Form)
Neil Morrice Tips
Best Bet: COLETTE (Race 4)
Value Bet: THE CHOSEN ONE (Race 5)
If viewing on mobile, please turn your phone to landscape orientation to view the table below.
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R
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Time
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Conditions
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1st
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2nd
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3rd
|
4th
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5th
|
|
1
|
03:10
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1100m – Group 3 (2-Y-O)
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1
|
4
|
5
|
2
|
11
|
|
2
|
03:45
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1600m – Group 3 (3-Y-O)
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2
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
6
|
|
3
|
04:20
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1400m – Special Condition
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2
|
1
|
6
|
7
|
12
|
|
4
|
04:55
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2000m – Group 3 (3-Y-O-F)
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3
|
2
|
11
|
1
|
10
|
|
5
|
05:35
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2600m – Group 2
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2
|
1
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
|
6
|
06:15
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1400m – Group 1 (2-Y-O)
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1
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
8
|
|
7
|
06:55
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2400m – Group 1 (3-Y-O)
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2
|
1
|
6
|
3
|
12
|
|
8
|
07:35
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1200m – Group 1
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5
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
|
9
|
08:15
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1600m – Group 1
|
10
|
9
|
19
|
1
|
8
|
|
10
|
08:50
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1200m – Group 3 (3-Y-O-F)
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2
|
1
|
5
|
6
|
3
|
|
Race 7 – 10 Jackpot Perm
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||||||
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1
|
Line
|
2
|
5
|
10
|
2
|
|
|
8
|
Lines
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1
|
1
|
9
|
|
|
|
54
|
Lines
|
6
|
4
|
19
|
1
|
|
|
96
|
Lines
|
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
|
200
|
Lines
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
|
|
Race 1
RULERSHIP’S last race in a Group 1 event can be completely ignored as he pulled up lame. His penultimate run in this class and over this distance was good when challenging all the way to the finishing post. He won his only start on this course and looks to be the one to side with here. DAMAGED won his maiden with ease over this distance at Warwick Farm last time. He does take a big step up in class today, but he is lightly raced and looks to have plenty of scope. James McDonald does duty and the pair should be right there in the run down to the wire. DOUBTLAND was an impressive winner on debut over this distance. He does take on stronger opposition today, but he could be anything and must be included in all bets. NOT AN OPTION is making his Australian racing debut after competing in New Zealand. He is a two-time winner from four starts and has a sneaky chance here.
Race 2
PROMOTIONS has produced three very good runs since having a 16-week break. He just won the Canberra Guineas over seven furlongs last time. He raced from a handy position that day and knuckled down the last 200m to get the better of his rival in the closing stages. Hugh Bowman retains the ride this afternoon and the pair should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. RELOADED ran an absolute cracker in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last time. He was running on well at the finish that day and if repeating that effort, he should pose a big threat to the top selection. GRAND PIANO looks a very progressive type having won his last two starts. He tries the mile for the first time today and on the manner in which he races, the trip should suit him well. KUBRICK is much better than his last two starts suggest. He won his only start on this course and if finding his best form, he could be the one to cause the upset.
Race 3
TWO BIG FARI has shown good guts and determination when winning his last three starts. He is unbeaten from two starts over this distance and under Brenton Avdulla. This is a competitive field, but the heart he shows in the closing stages may help him keep his nose in front where it matters most. He is drawn widest of all, but that shouldn’t be a problem as he should use his early gate speed to get across without using up too much energy. BOBBING showed good signs of a form return in his comeback run. He has won three times and finished second once from four starts over this distance. He should strip much fitter this afternoon and there should not be much separating him and the top selection in the closing stages. JULIAN ROCK won his last start well over this distance. He won his only attempt on this course and may be right there in the run down to the finishing post. LIGULATE won his last start well over this trip. He runs well for James McDonald who has ridden him twice for a win and a second-place finish. The slight concern is that he has only finished second once in five starts on this track.
Race 4
COLETTE is the best bet on today’s programme. She has been ultra-impressive when winning her last two starts. She does take a rise in class today, but she looks to have plenty of ability and should be up to the task at hand. James McDonald has a very good strike-rate when riding for James Cummings. She should take a power of beating here. PARADEE has very good form to her credit. She won the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes over a mile at Moonee Valley last time and looks to have more in the tank. If she sees out the ten furlongs, she should be right there in the run down to the finishing post. AMITTO made up some good ground to win her last start over a mile. The manner in which she finished off the race that day suggests she is looking for today’s distance. She does face stronger today, but she looks to have some ability. FASCINO is much better than her last effort shows. She ran a good race in a Group 2 event in her penultimate start and if repeating that run today, she should run into the minor money.
Race 5
THE CHOSEN ONE is the value bet on today’s card. He has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. His record in this class is encouraging with four wins, two seconds and a third-place finish from 19 outings. On best form shown, he would be the one to cause the upset. MIRAGE DANCER is slowly coming back to best form. The run that catches the eye is when finishing third in a Group 2 event on 22 February. If repeating that effort here, he should be right there. CARIF is not the most consistent sort, but he has finished second in both his efforts over today’s distance. Tim Clark knows the son of So You Think well and the pair merit healthy respect. GALLIC CHIEFTAIN was in need of his last two starts after returning from a 15-week break. He should be cherry-ripe for today’s outing and on best form shown, should run into the minor money.
Race 6
This is the first of four Group 1 races on the day. MAMARAGAN was an impressive winner on debut, winning a Group 2 event on this course. He followed that up with a cracking third-place finish in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. Nash Rawiller knows him well and with more scope for improvement that is expected, he should take the power of beating. HOLYFIELD will have some value about him come race day. He was a winner of a Group 3 event at Rosehill Gardens last week when taking the lead turning for home and fighting off the opposition. He does take on some stronger opposition this afternoon, but he looks to have some class about him. He is drawn a bit deep today, but with luck in running early on, he could be the one to the cause the upset. PRAGUE, with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle and GLENFIDDICH with Adam Hyeronimus doing duty, both look to have plenty of scope about them and can fight out the battle for the placings.
Race 7
The Australian Derby over twelve furlongs is next. SHADOW HERO who finished 3.3 lengths behind CASTELVECCHIO in the Rosehill Guineas is taken to overturn the form today. He was well back when turning for home and the manner in which he ran through to the line was eye-catching. He is unbeaten from two starts on this course and might well be looking for the extra distance on offer. Joshua Parr knows him very well and the pair may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. CASTELVECCHIO won the Rosehill Guineas well last time. He fought strongly for that win and if seeing out the twelve furlongs, he should finish right on top of the first choice. QUICK THINKER won the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes well last time. He does take on some strong opposition, but he looks to have more in the tank. WARNING finished 5th behind the top two choices in the race referred to above. He didn’t have much luck in the straight that day, but stayed on well at the business end. The son of Declaration Of War cannot be ignored with Tommy Berry in the saddle.
Race 8
This is the most exciting and competitive race on today’s programme. The narrow first choice to win the T J Smith Stakes is TREKKING. He is making his return to racing after 18 weeks off the track. He was a winner of his last trial coming into this race and should be at peak fitness today. The run that catches the eye is when finishing third behind Yes Yes Yes in The Everest over this course and distance. If he can find the form of that race today, he should be the one to cause the upset. NATURE STRIP is likely to start favourite come race time. He was an impressive winner of the Challenge Stakes, a Group 2 event last time. He finished 0.8 lengths behind the top selection in The Everest however, he is one of the fastest horses in Australia and may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. REDZEL is a horse that can never be discounted. He has had the perfect prep coming into this race with two second place finishes, the latest was behind the second choice. With a bit of luck in running, he should be mowing down the frontrunners in the closing stages. PIERATA needed his last start after returning from a 20-week break. He should strip much fitter for today’s race and on best form shown, he should throw out a big challenge.
Race 9
The last of the Group 1 races is the Doncaster Mile. It is a very open contest and caution is advised. The tentative first choice if CASCADIAN from the James Cummings stable. He was rewarded for consistency in the Doncaster Prelude a Group 3 event last time. He runs well over this distance with two wins, a second and a third-place finish from six starts. With a bit of luck from his wide barrier position, he should be right there in the run down to the wire. The South African import YULONG PRINCE is picked to chase him home. He showed good signs of a form return last time and is having his peak run today. He was a Group 1 winner in his native country and cannot be left out in this contest. BRANDENBURG has produced two good efforts in his last two Group 1 starts. He has finished second once and third once from as many starts over this distance and with Glen Boss retaining the ride, the pair must be included in all bets. MELODY BELLE is a mare taking on the males. She has good consistent form to her credit and runs well over this distance. She cannot be discounted in this field.
Race 10
RUBISAKI has won her last four starts very well. She loves racing over today’s distance with a record of three wins and a second-place finish from as many attempts. She looks classy and may be too strong for this line-up. KIAMICHI is better than her recent form suggests. She is expected to race on the speed and if repeating her run on 15 February when finishing third over this course and distance, she must be in with a shout. SANGRIA was a listed winner in her last start at Flemington. She does face her toughest test to date, but she looks to have class and can notch up her fifth career victory. WAYUPINTHESKY produced a very good comeback run when returning from an 18 week lay-off. She should strip much fitter for today’s race and merits obvious inclusion.
