Racing
Kembla Grange Preview, Trial Watch and Blackbook Report - November 22
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange on November 22 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
Best Bets
RACE 3 – (7) ZARAGOZA: Strong effort when resuming over 1000m at Randwick, motoring home from last for third in stronger grade. Ticks all the right boxes on his home track as he's missed a place only once in nine Kembla Grange starts including two wins over this trip. No risk about him if it's wet.
RACE 7 – (1) DRAGONSTONE: This will be the fifth year in succession that this honest sprinter has raced on this day. He won over this trip as a 3YO in 2021 and has since contested this same feature race three times for a third (2022), fourth (2023) and second (2024), underlining how much he enjoys this track. This field is not as strong as previous years, he's not badly treated dropping 2.5kg off his last start at Randwick and he'll relish soft ground.
RACE 8 – (1) GRINGOTTS: Won this race last year carrying 60kg and he's since risen to greater heights with wins in the G1 George Ryder under WFA conditions and the $3 million Big Dance at his latest start when he was in a class of his own under 62kg, conceding 5.5kg to the subsequent Five Diamonds winner Vivy Air. With 61kg and four wins from six starts on affected tracks it's easy to see why he dominates the betting.
RACE 1: (17) BOJANGLES; (8) Callistemon; (5) Super Nui; (4) Mogwai
RACE 2: (10) WRITE YOUR OWN; (3) Alottosay; (18) Buenos; (13) Swinging High
RACE 3: (7) ZARAGOZA; (5) Hellish; (4) Hawker Hall; (9) Couples Retreat
RACE 4: (7) SPIRIT OF WEALTH; (8) Amreekiyah; (5) Madrina; (1) Weeping Woman
RACE 5: (13) EXISTENTIAL BOB; (11) Bestower; (1) Hurstville Zagreb; (7) Let's Fly
RACE 6: (2) TUNED; (8) Dashing Rupert; (10) Smashing Time; (14) Sociable
RACE 7: (1) DRAGONSTONE; (3) Zealously; (4) Catch The Glory; (8) Sunrise
RACE 8: (1) GRINGOTTS; (13) Tavi Time; (3) Estadio Mestalla; (7) Territory Express
RACE 9: (4) RUBY FLYER; (6) Lord Of Biscay; (12) Asgarda; (5) Well Timed
RACE 10: (8) BARTOLF; (3) Yes Lulu; (14) Starman; (9) High Blue Sea
RACE 1 – (17) BOJANGLES: Quick back up to take advantage of big drop in class. Claim also helps.
RACE 2 – (10) WRITE YOUR OWN: Plenty of merit in his Highway form. Gets his chance down in weight from a better draw.
RACE 4 – (7) SPIRIT OF WEALTH: Honest mare with the right form. Weighted to turn the tables.
RACE 5 – (13) EXISTENTIAL BOB: Good effort second up when he peaked late. Value play of the day.
RACE 6 – (2) TUNED: Strong win first-up added to an excellent 1200m record. Must be fitter and this is no harder.
RACE 9 – (4) RUBY FLYER: Rates well off his Big Dance effort. Rain enhances his chances.
RACE 10 – (8) BARTOLF: Lost his chance at the start last time. Extra trip on this big track will suit.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – November 22
GOSFORD SATURDAY: Curado (R5); How Much Better (R7)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Spywire (R3); Cassiel (R3); Hawker Hall (R3); Amreekiyah (R4); Quietly Arrogant (R6); Touristic (R8); Amor Victorious (R8)
CRANBOURNE SATURDAY: Beauty Charge (R9)
TAREE SUNDAY: Hidden Star (R4)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Daring Fellow; Seeiaye; Apex; Myriad; Plaintiff; Jarrito; Tuned; Storm Season; Me Me; Swordplay; Autumn Glow; Long Legs; Casserousse; Stefi Magnetica; Skyglider; Regal Problem; Mortal Halo; Spirit Of Wealth; Naifah; Frosty Girl; Straight Sets; Linebacker; Ka Ying Rising; Chalet; Sun God; Nitro; Margin Call; Taxation
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM November 13: Renowned front runner AMOR VICTORIOUS ran out to a big lead through the first 800m of his open heat over 1200m. He was given a solid workout to maintain his lead, scoring by more than six lengths (71.89; 34.40). In the open trials over 801m there was a notable effort from Group class performers SPYWIRE winning his heat (47.95; 33.02).
ROSEHILL November 5: Yet to see the best of classy 3YO QUIETLY ARROGANT but his two recent trials have him primed for a good summer. Improved off his second in a Randwick trial on October 20 to work home under a soft ride for an impressive win his 1030m heat (62.43; 34.37).
WARWICK FARM October 31: Smart maiden heat winners included CURADO (812m 48.10; 34.09).
NEWCASTLE October 28: Sharp first-up trial by HAWKER HALL in his first appearance since August. He's quick over short distances and was never going to lose his 800m heat in fast time (47.04; 32.36). BEAUTY CHARGE was under a barrier embargo from Randwick on October 18. The former Hong Kong sprinter did everything right to cruise to an easy win in his 1000m heat (61.74; 33.61). He settled kindly outside the leader and was always under restraint as he worked strongly to the line to score by a soft 1.6 lengths.
ROSEHILL October 24: Maidens to watch in coming races include CUESTA.
RANDWICK October 20: In a deep open heat overt 1050m (64.04; 34.29) TOURISTIC had an easy time out the back but took the eye with strong late work through the line.
WARWICK FARM August 8: Sharp debut trial by North Pacific colt CURADO, showing good natural speed to control his 779m heat from start to finish (47.51; 34.71). Held a good margin to the line with plenty in reserve.
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected November 15 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
AVIATRESS; BLINDEDBYTHELIGHT; MARE OF MT BULLER; MISS BUSSLINGER; MYSTICAL; SOMEWHERE; VIVA MAURICO
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – November 21-22
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Motoscafo (R4); Amreekiyah (R4); Brave Call (R5); Bestower (R5); Regal Azmon (R8)
CRANBOURNE SATURDAY: Steparty (R8); Enxuto (R8); Beauty Charge (R9); Hedged (R9); Klabel (R9)
SUNSHINE COAST SATURDAY: Rhuvaal (R3)
CANBERRA SUNDAY: Sir Artie (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Brave One; Inkaruna; North Of Eli; Harlem Queen; Grafterburners; Sabaj; Caballus; Jimmysstar; Observer; Chergui; Half Yours; Ole Dancer; Tentyris; Clear Thinking; Point Barrow; Disneck; Navy Pilot; Federer; Gala Queen; Gilded Water; Reflect; Pareto; Zelgaria
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