Race-by-race preview and tips for Randwick on Saturday

Race 1 – 11:45AM HKJC WORLD POOL FERNHILL MILE (1600 METRES)

5. Stitzer was hard to miss at his debut, running on at the end of 1400m, and he’ll no doubt appreciate going to the mile. There’s a chance it all comes a bit too soon for him but if he can progress from that first run he’s right in the finish. 1. Hydrobomb ran an even race in the VRC Sires before coming with a strong run from back in the field and weaving through to score at Sandown at 1400m. Draws well and every chance to back it up. 8. Sumac has improved with each run and was close up beaten two lengths in the Baillieu, the same race Stitzer comes through. She’s an each-way chance. 3. Diameter probably has to go back again from the wide gate but he’s run well in both starts at the 1400m in the VRC Sires and the Baillieu. Mile looks to suit and he’s not to be overlooked.

How to play it: Stitzer EACH-WAY

Race 2 – 12:20PM BISLEY WORKWEAR SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC (1400 METRES)

4. Regal Award looks well-placed now getting to 1400m after a sound return in the Darby Munro, where he was left a bit flat-footed early in the straight but lengthened nicely late. Fitter for that, has a gear change and draws perfectly to be that bit closer in the run. He could even lead if needed. Talented type who looks hard to beat. 2. Within The Law has had no luck at the draw once again and she’ll be breathing down their necks late if she can get a run at them. Plenty to like about her weaving fifth in the Birthday Card, back against her own age now and clearly has the best form behind her. 11. Autumn King leaps in grade after easy wins at Muswellbrook and Newcastle over shorter trips and he does look to be wanting to get out in distance now. Obviously there’s the query on how he measures up but his stablemate Olympian carried similar form into a Group race last week and held his own. Knockout chance. 1. Beskar was completely ignored by the market as he went on to win the Darby Munro second-up. Drawn nicely here and must respect.

How to play it: Regal Award WIN

Race 3 – 12:55PM TAB PERCY SYKES STAKES (1200 METRES)

2. Satono Glow appears to be a filly on the way up and brings a strong win at 1200m from Flemington at her second start into this which is a plus. Both wins have come on wet tracks but she did look good trialling on firmer ground prior, drawn to get a nice run off speed and should be hard to hold out. 4. Screen Icon is a huge threat now she’s finally drawn a barrier she can make some use of. Drew the outside in the Sweet Embrace and almost nabbed Spicy Miss there some six weeks ago. Trialled since, sure to make her presence felt. 1. Medicinal steps to 1200m for the first time after wins at Ballarat and Flemington, the latest of them over the 1000m down the straight a month ago. Warmed up with a trial win at Randwick recently and is one of the chances. 7. Rachini gave a huge sight in the Group 1 last week and coming back to fillies grade is in her favour.

How to play it: Satono Glow WIN.

Race 4 – 1:30PM PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL (1400 METRES)

8. Oui Oui Oui should get the right run in transit behind what has to be a genuine enough tempo in the $1 million race. She was solid enough first-up to qualify then came from an impossible position in the Birthday Card to be beaten 2½ lengths and hitting the line strongly. Much better off at 1400m and back to provincial company, she has to be around the mark at the finish. 5. Matcha Latte won this race last year and was always in control to win his qualifier at Hawkesbury a month ago. Kept fresh and trialled since then, he will roll forward onto the speed and be hard to run down. 1. Lord Of Biscay was runner-up last year and both his runs in this series have been excellent with his timely Wild Card win gaining him a start. Seems to be going just as well, James McDonald back on board and he is a definite chance. 7. Octa De Lago has to look to use Matcha Latte to come across onto the speed and if he can get into a spot he’s good each-way odds. Trialled twice since, beating Oui Oui Oui in mid-February in the first qualifier.

How to play it: Oui Oui Oui EACH-WAY

Race 5 – 2:05PM ASAHI SUPER DRY AUSTRALIAN OAKS (2400 METRES)

3. Profoundly couldn’t have been more impressive in her Adrian Knox win last week and the fact she was a month between runs going into that suggests there should be plenty left for the back-up. She powered away at the end of 2000m there, just needs to find a nice spot and she’s every chance to repeat. 2. After Summer is a genuine stayer who was placed in the VRC Oaks in the spring. Fought hard at big odds when touched out in a slowly run Vinery, draws well and she will relish the extra distance. 1. Ohope Wins didn’t seem to love the muddling tempo in the Vinery though she made the move at the right time to put herself in the race. She is proven at the trip, winning the NZ Oaks, so she’s entitled to another chance. 4. Soverato looked the winner fleetingly before being run over by Profoundly in the Adrian Knox. She’s another lightly raced filly backing up and she’s drawn to do no work in the run.

How to play it: Profoundly EACH-WAY.

Race 6 – 2:40PM ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT (1200 METRES)

9. Tempted is just a machine when it comes to the 1200m as we’ve seen a few times now with her wins in the Run To The Rose and the Light Fingers as well as her second in the TAB Everest. She had to pull out all stops to run down Savvy Hallie and win the Surround up to the 1400m, but her class got her there. Freshened up nicely for the drop to her pet trip. 8. Marhoona comes back to her own age now after a close second in the Challenge and then her Group 1 win in the Galaxy where she looked gone for most of the straight before rallying strongly. Will need a bit of luck from the outside but it’s a very fair starting point. 1. Beiwacht comes back from tackling open Group 1 company, just succumbing to Joliestar two starts back before a creditable run behind Autumn Glow. Will be up front, Tempted did account for him when they met at 1200m in the spring but he will give a good sight. 10. Caffe Florian ran too well second-up in the Darby Munro to leave out of discussions. Draws a bit better here, she’ll sit back and look to charge at them. Hasn’t taken on this level as yet which is the obvious query.

How to play it: Tempted WIN.

Race 7 – 3:15PM SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP (3200 METRES)

4. Soul Of Spain looks nicely set up to run a big race back under handicap conditions and out to the two miles. He looked on target with his second-up run against Autumn Glow over a mile and his closing second in the Sky High. 8. Piggyback finished alongside him in the Tancred and she’s been flying all preparation. Sprouted wings to win the Parramatta Cup then was unsuited in the Randwick City Stakes which was more sedately run. In top form and if she can run out the trip she’s a big chance. 1. River Of Stars hasn’t won in 10 Australian starts but she has run very well in both 3200m attempts for a third in this race last year and a fourth in the Melbourne Cup. She was solid also in the Tancred, her only issue is the weight as generally it’s the lighter weighted hoses who prevail. 11. Mr Monaco endured a tough run and was still a bit too strong winning the Manion Cup and it doesn’t look like two miles will bother him. He does have that outside gate to contend with and the first 1000m will be important for him to find an economical run. Can’t leave him out.

How to play it: Soul Of Spain EACH WAY.

Race 8 – 3:55PM MOËT & CHANDON QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES (1600 METRES)

This will be one interesting race. Settled on 8. Idle Flyer hoping the gas isn’t taken out of her by what will likely be a brutal gallop up front. She’s tracked beautifully to tackle this race third-up and it was a very soft win in the Emancipation a couple of weeks ago to show she’s on target. That draw is ideal for her to be handy but not too close and if she can wind up she’ll hit the line hard. 1. Pride Of Jenni will be your leader and we know how tough she can be to run down if she’s in the mood. She’s been as brave as you’ll see in both runs this time in, looking to have fought them all off before being nailed on the line in the Australian Cup. If they leave her be and she’s able to creep away they might not get near her, whether Perfumist is there will be crucial to that, but if something can just keep her busy enough it’ll blow the race open. Hard to beat, of course. 3. Treasurethe Moment won the Oaks at this meeting last year and produced her best when she was far too good for lesser rivals in the Sunline Stakes second-up. 2. Lady Shenandoah has been game against the likes of Joliestar and Autumn Glow this time in and she’ll be pleased to see them not lining up in this race. Drawn well, she won the Flight over this course as a three-year-old and it’d be no surprise at all to see her charge over them.

How to play it: Idle Flyer EACH-WAY.

Race 9 – 4:35PM QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (2000 METRES)

7. Autumn Glow has rarely had a struggle in her races and while she has to tick the 2000m box there’s nothing to say she won’t. If it is a real stamina test that might be where she could become vulnerable but you wouldn’t imagine James McDonald doing anything else but putting her to sleep behind the speed from her ideal gate. If they go slow, which seems unlikely, she’ll outsprint them. If they go quick McDonald is adamant she’ll beat them easier. Let’s see. She’s hard to tip against. 1. Dubai Honour doesn’t give it up in his races and you’d imagine Tom Marquand has something up his sleeve to produce from a tactics perspective. He has the blinkers on for the first time to help him come back from the 2400m where he almost stole the Tancred. Won this race in 2023 and ran second to Via Sistina last year. He’ll run well. 2. Sir Delius has been good in both runs back and he showed in the Ranvet he is on target to peak now third-up, which has been the plan. Commands respect. 8. Aeliana gave Autumn Glow a bit of a fright at the mile before she won the Ranvet and Tancred stepping up in trip. Barrier and where she gets to are the queries here but you know she’ll be very competitive.

How to play it: Autumn Glow WIN.

Race 10 – 5:10PM TRESEMMÉ SAPPHIRE STAKES (1200 METRES)

3. Gangsta Granny has drawn poorly again, that’s what likely brought her undone second-up, but this looks a similar ask to her first-up win against the mares over this track and distance. She sat outside the lead there and was far too good, and she drops nicely in weight under the conditions. Imagine she lands in the lead or on the back of the speed and will be the one to run down. 4. Catch The Glory is highly underrated and finished powerfully to win the Birthday Card first-up at Rosehill. Her record is starting to look pretty good now and if they overdo it she’ll be the one charging at them. 6. Flying For Fun is another up-and-comer who was too good for the boys in the Maurice McCarten fresh, and comes into this with a month between runs. If she finds the right back to follow into the race she can be hard to hold out too. 1. Splash Back is an interesting mare resuming and brings with her a solid fresh record. Fitter for a couple of jump out wins, draws well and you always respect the Begg stable when they bring a mare to Sydney.

How to play it: Gangsta Granny WIN.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au