One of the more traditional days in the Sydney racing calendar sees the Epsom Handicap headline a cracking ten race card at Randwick this Saturday. The Epsom is accompanied by two other group ones; the Metropolitan Handicap and the Flight Stakes. We also get to see the sprinters go head to head in the Premiere Stakes which shapes as a key lead up race to The Everest.
The track is currently rated a soft 7 and there is heavy rain forecast for Friday and on raceday so I think it is safe to assume we will be in the heavy range.
As always, Billy Bestford has cast his eye across the program and brings you his free horse racing tips, including best bets and race previews.
Randwick Racing Tips: Saturday October 1st
Race 2
Generally always a good form race the Gimcrack Stakes and I think (7) Perfect Proposal could be pretty smart. She’s had just the one official trial where Clark rode and she showed plenty of speed and her action looked great once she was asked for a little effort. Pulled away for an easy win and I think we can see similar tactics here from the middle draw. She looks progressive!
(11) Satin And Silk ran 2nd to PP in that trial and also travelled quite well throughout the run. She has the benefit of the inside draw and looks to have the speed to make the most of that. She will be winning a decent race soon enough.
(12) Sicilian was a smart trial winner from the front with Jmac in the saddle. He takes the ride here again and rarely see him riding for the Waterhouse/Bott stable. From the wide draw you’d think they have to try get to the lead and if he doesn’t burn too much gas he could be tough to catch.
With all the speed engaged I think (1) Achlys will be suited getting back and running on out wide. He was solid enough in only trial when hitting the line well without being asked for too much effort.
(13) Sky Artist the blowout.
(7) Perfect Proposal
$3.00 (1 unit)
Race 6
Cracking field of fillies engaged for this year’s Flight Stakes. I’m siding with Golden Slipper winner (1) Fireburn who should be extremely hard to beat if we are on a heavy track. She was a sneaky good run in behind them in the Golden Rose and looks very well suited 3rd up back to her own sex. She looks ready for 1600m now and has a great record here at Randwick. She ticks a lot of boxes and I think her best is better than these.
(6) Madame Pommery was super impressive in the Tea Rose at a big price. She got back and ran on hard, looking like she would go straight past Zougotcha. Just peaked on her run but I think she will love the mile here and handles wet ground.
(5) Wolverine is 3rd up and looks set to peak. She was also an eye catcher in the Tea Rose and if the inside part of the track is okay then she comes right into this.
(3) Zougotcha clearly is good enough and she dug deep to win first up in that Tea Rose. With that said I have a slight query about her running out a strong mile and she is going to need the gaps to come from barrier 2.
(2) She’s Extreme is a group one winner over this trip and is suited back to her own sex. Loves heavy tracks and would not shock to see her bounce back.
Value: (6) Madame Pommery - $15 (0.25 units)
(1) Fireburn
$2.50 (3 units)
Race 7
Keen on (3) Mazu here in the Premiere and he should get his favoured wet conditions today. Came of age last prep, winning five on the bounce culminating in group once success. He was solid enough behind Nature Strip in The Shorts and getting out to this trip is a key for him. Unbeaten from two goes at this track/trip and draws to get a gun on-speed position from barrier 1.
By this stage of the day it might be beneficial to get to the outside part of the track and (5) Kementari could be a decent value chance. He’s always better with a run under the belt and heavy track will suit him fine. Back to 1200m is a positive.
(1 Lost And Running was awesome in The Shorts, charging home to run 3rd to Nature Strip. If the track is dry enough I think he will be very hard to beat and is a deserved favourite.
(6) Overpass ran 2nd in The Shorts and managed to get himself a slot in The Everest. If the rain misses then he comes right into calculations.
(3) Mazu
$4.40 (2.5 units)
Race 8
Not the biggest Epsom field we’ve seen with just 12 runners but a select few who make it an interesting race. Happy to back a couple of them here for a result.
Think (8) Hinged gets the right setup and the lead up runs have been great. 3rd up now she looks ready and the rain will improve her chances. Gate 9 will be ideal come this time of the day. Thought she was strong through the line behind Anamoe last start and she just looks to get the right sort of run here.
(4) Nimalee looks a great value chance off the back of a very tough win with a big weight in the Golden Pendant. She was wide throughout and kept finding in the straight to hold them off. The wetter the better for her and she can run well here.
(5) Icebath is in great form but once again is just struggling to find a way to win. She comes into this off a 2nd to Zaaki and a 2nd to Anamoe which is obviously elite form for this. McDonald on is a big tick and she deserves to win a group one.
(1) Top Ranked was awesome winning fresh with a big weight and can go on with it now. With that said he probably doesn’t want it too wet.
(9) Cross Talk will make his own luck up in the lead and a heavy track will be the key for him. With just 51kg on his back he can take some catching. Yet to miss a place in nine career runs.
Also Backing: (4) Nimalee - $15 (0.25 units)
(8) Hinged
$4.40 (1 unit)
Race 10
Keen on (11) Bacchanalia here 2nd up and rising to 1200m. No luck in running fresh when 5th behind Remarque but gets a good drop in the weights and a swing in his favour on that horse today. A wet track will see him improve and he’s a winner second up previously while he has three wins over this trip.
(7) Coal Crusher is a swimmer and built a very good winning record last prep. Will be running along up in the lead and has a very good fresh record. He’s trialled nicely for his return and could prove the one they all have to catch.
(5) Steely sprints well fresh and gets through the conditions. He’ll get a nice run in behind the speed and is good enough to be winning.
There was a stack of money for (2) O’President fresh off a big trial win but he knocked up to finish a long last. Been back to the trials and looked good and I like him switching back to 1200m.
I think (1) Rustic Steel will improve with a run under the belt and his best is better than bm94 grade. 2nd up record is very good.
(11) Bacchanalia
$3.90 (3 units)
