Racing
Saturday's Randwick Preview with Chris Scholtz - The Championships Day One
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for Day One of The Championships at Randwick on April 4 with Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
Best Bets
RACE 1 - (3) THE NEXT EPISODE: Has a long way to go to recoup his $2.8 million price tag as a yearling but the potential is there after an impressive first-up win over 1000m at Warwick Farm last month. The runner-up Under Focus has since won while he went back to the trials where he again made an impression with his classy work. Appeals as the type who will get stronger as he rises in distance.
RACE 8 – (15) SHEZA ALIBI: She's posted exceptional figures in her run of classy wins this season with her latest performance to win the Randwick Guineas over this course and distance giving her a rating that stamps her as the horse to beat with only 49kg. The form justifies her short odds as she beat the subsequent Rosehill Guineas winner Autumn Boy by a widening 3.2 lengths and meets him 1kg better in a race that favours her age group. She's since been home to Victoria for a soft 1000m trial win and while she's taking on a tough field from an awkward draw they will be tested to match her acceleration under her light weight.
RACE 9 – (2) ROAD TO PARIS: In an open ATC Derby this last start winner of the G1 NZ Derby (2400m) has to be given the highest respect having proved himself as a strong stayer over the classic distance. It's noteworthy that five of the last 18 Australian Derby winners came from NZ stables including three that finished first, third and fourth in the NZ Derby. The combination of champion jockey Zac Purton flying in to ride this gelding for top Kiwi trainer Roger James is hard to resist at the value odds.
RACE 1: (3) THE NEXT EPISODE; (2) Under Focus; (7) Aryaam; (9) Blue Door
RACE 2: (3) SOVERATO; (7) Profoundly; (6) Classic Gem; (4) Feminino
RACE 3: (10) NEWLOOK; (5) Juja Kibo; (3) Travolta; (1) Campaldino
RACE 4: (3) MATIAS; (5) Providence; (11) Monopolistic; (4) Aerodrome
RACE 5: (4) VERMICELLA; (15) Fingers Hunter; (3) Considered; (12) Chidiac
RACE 6: (4) CAMPIONE D'ITALIA; (3) Alibaba; (12) Streisand; (2) Tornado Valley
RACE 7: (3) GIGA KICK; (6) Joliestar; (2) Briasa; (7) Tentyris
RACE 8: (15) SHEZA ALIBI; (7) Autumn Boy; (3) Headley Grange; (8) Steparty
RACE 9: (2) ROAD TO PARIS; (3) Green Spaces; (5) Storm Leopard; (1) Observer
RACE 10: (11) HORSESHOE HILL; (1) Inkaruna; (9) Plaintiff; (20) Nepo Baby
RACE 2 – (3) SOVERATO: Building nicely for the Oaks. Rates well off her Phar Lap form against the colts.
RACE 3 – (10) NEWLOOK: Import showing positive signs in his second local prep. Ready to find his good French form.
RACE 4 – (3) MATIAS: Warmed up nicely when resuming. Made rapid improvement last prep.
RACE 5 – (4) VERMICELLA: Impressive qualifying win. Set to peak over her best trip with J Mac booking a big plus.
RACE 6 – (4) CAMPIONE D'ITALIA: He's the obvious one after his late charge in the Golden Slipper. That form is the benchmark.
RACE 7 – (3) GIGA KICK: Excellent trial after fastest last 200m in Challenge Stakes. He'll relish the pressure over 1200m.
RACE 10 – (11) HORSESHOE HILL: Talented filly on the rise. Comes off a strong win with 3.5kg less.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – April 3-6
CANBERRA FRIDAY: Call Me Mojo (R6)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Belvante (R1); Blue Door (R1); Tornado Valley (R6); Wolf Gap (R6); Giga Kick (R7); Joliestar (R7); Plaintiff (R10); Stardom (R10)
WYONG SATURDAY: Winter's Kiss (R3); Blitzgal (R5); Cellphone (R5)
ROSEHILL MONDAY: I Am Adonis (R1); Mrs Maree (R1); Loera (R1); Cellphone (R2); Blitzgal (R2); Anuzou (R3); Events (R3); Winter's Kiss (R3); Our Kobison (R5); Bev's Nine (R5); Point And Shoot (R5); Akaysha (R5); Miss Freelove (R5)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Just Response; Maidoff; Shalash; Lightning Glory; Roselyn's Star; Tenenbaum; Idle Flyer; Sir Les; Poisonous; Caesar; I'm A Beaut; Cristal Clear, Lazzura; Flying For Fun; Scampi; Tazima; Stand My Ground; Two Excel; Our Queen; Castlejohn; The Next Episode; Satono Glow; Gangsta Granny; Generosity; Beadman; Paradoxium; Cavallo Park; Southend; Shangri La Impact
WARWICK FARM March 30: Veteran trainer Clarry Conners has been very patient with his maiden mare MRS MAREE after several interruptions to her career but his patience should be rewarded as her recent trials indicate she is in the form to win races. Trucked through her 816m heat (48.04; 33.95) travelling wide under a big hold from start to finish and having plenty in the tank coasting through the line. Another maiden showing bright promise was the 816m heat winner EVENTS (48.48; 34.15).
RANDWICK March 27: The open heats over 1050m featured some of our best sprinters tuning up for the Randwick carnival. OVERPASS was his old self leading out in his 1050m heat (65.01; 35.63) but was ridden along to win the trial and still looked short of peak condition. Talented filly AKAYSHA was the one taking the eye with her late work to the line to finish second while gun 3YO TENTRYIS had an easy time settling in the back half and not asked for a serious effort while making ground under a hold over the last 100m to finish sixth. The fastest open heat over 1050m was won by the racy filly NEPO BABY (64.32; 35.20). Making an impression in the 2YO heat over 1050m open was a strong fourth by the talented WOLF GAP. In the open heats MISS FREELOVE surged home from the back for an impressive win despite the slow time (67.00; 35.71). OUR KOBISON posted a classy win in his 745m heat (45.37; 34.63). The talented Gosford-trained sprinter backed up his recent trial win at Wyong, setting a strong pace in the lead while tracking wide and easily holding his advantage to the line to score by 3.75 lengths. The 2YOs to take the eye in the 745m trials included BELVANTE producing a flashing finish for second in his trial.
ROSEHILL March 24: The big names JOLIESTAR and GIGA KICK were the centre of attention but an unraced 2YO stole the show with a big win in her first trial appearance. An unbeaten 3YO also made a classy return to action that augers well for her future prospects. Debut trials don't come much better than the classy display by Stay Inside filly BLUE DOOR. She showed good gate speed to take up an easy lead before slipping the chasers off the turn. Cruised under a hold over the last 200m as she extended the margin to almost eight lengths at the finish in the fastest of the seven heats over 900m (54.49; 34.88). GIGA KICK was the big name in a quick 1030m heat (61.77; 34.98) but this unbeaten Zoustar filly PLAINTIFF showed her class to win with style, picking up the leaders under no pressure over the last 200m and running through the line with plenty in reserve in her first trial since she completed a trio of wins late last year. GIGA KICK was quietly ridden to settle in the back half and put in excellent work as he warmed up over the last 100m to finish third. JOLIESTAR also had an easy time tracking the leaders and put under no pressure to finish third in her 900m heat (56.10; 35.40) but the time was slow in the heavy ground compared to other heats. The unbeaten BEV'S NINE doesn't know how to lose, clocking another trial win with efficient work in his 900m heat in good time (54.70; 35.39). In the 2YO heats over 1030m the talented TORNADO VALLEY (62.51; 35.70) did all that was required to win his heat. Maidens to keep tabs on include BLITZGAL and I AM ADONIS.
WARWICK FARM March 20: Maiden heat winners worth noting included another good performance from the previously noted Capitalist filly LOERA to win her 786m heat in fast time (46.42; 33.51) and a strong first-up heat win over 786m by the smart Written Tycoon mare MRS MAREE (47.08; 34.15).
ROSEHILL March 10: The open heat over 900m was won in slow time by G1 winner OVERPASS (55.29; 35.06). He led as usual but was ridden long from the 200m to hold his advantage to the line.
RANDWICK March 5: LOERA, a Capitalist filly from the Golden Slipper winner Overreach, has been on the Trial Watch list since she won her first trial at Warwick Farm last May. We can anticipate her to be ready for a bold debut after she won her 736m heat with style (43.18; 33.27), tracking wide and responding when called to win with authority.
WARWICK FARM March 2: The 822m trial won by STARDOM (48.81; 33.98) was a strong heat.
WARWICK FARM May 13: In the 2YO trials over 787m the heat winner LOERA (46.63; 34.64) led to record a clear cut win.
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 1-4
BALLARAT FRIDAY: Too Darn Discreet (R6); Geegee's Mistruth (R7)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Juja Kibo (R3); Tornado Valley (R6); Alibaba (R6); Briasa (R7); Skybird (R7); Headley Grange (R8); Evaporate (R8); Vivy Air (R8); Deal Done Fast (R9); Federalist (R9); Victorious Spirit (R9); Inkaruna (R10); Karinska (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Plymouth (R8); Foujita San (R8); Red Galaxy (R10); Skippers Canyon (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Bengal Boy (R3)
WYONG SATURDAY: Chatterley (R5)
ROSEHILL MONDAY: Chatterley (R3)
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected March 28 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
AFTER SUMMER; CHOWDOWN; LA FRACAS; NOMADIC; SALANN; WOLFY
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Autumn Boy; Aeliana; Salty Pearl; Scampi; Chidiac; Pinito; Scheelite; Chayan; Supercilious; Birdman; Verona Rose; My Phar Lady; Green Fly; Warrior For Peace; Bengal Diamond; Fingers Hunter; Assailant; Furious; Alibaba; Paradise City; Bella Montagna; Miss Busslinger; Spanish Treasure; Althoff
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