It’s arguably the biggest day on the Sydney racing calendar at Randwick this Saturday as we see the running of the $15m TAB Everest. All eyes will be on the world’s best sprinter in Nature Strip as he goes in search of back to back wins against a stacked field of elite horses. There are nine other quality races on the card including the Sydney Stakes, The Kosciuszko and the Silver Eagle which was postponed last week.
Amazingly the rain has stayed away from Sydney for the most part this week and while there is rain forecast for Friday, the promise of sunshine on Saturday holds us in good stead to see a dry(ish) track. I think we will be racing on an improving soft track.
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 15th
Race 3
First bet of the day comes up in the Craven Plate and I’m going in search for some value. Think the 3yo (10) Promitto can run a big race here down in the weights off the back of a solid run in the Golden Rose. Looked as if he would enjoy getting over a trip and with just 50kg on his back I think he is set to peak here. Expecting the inside part of the track to be superior early in the day with the rail back in the true position so he should map for the right run and will just need some luck when straightening. Fav hard to beat but happy to back him 1x3.
No doubt (1) Cascadian is a deserved favourite and very hard to see him being beaten off the back of his last start win in the Hill Stakes. He was running away from them through the line and looks to have come back in top order. Back to 1800m here could be a slight knock and I just have to bet around him at $1.60.
(3) Surf Dancer was good resuming with an all the way win out in front. Ellsberg finished in 3rd behind him that day so the form is stacking up. Will be out in front here and recent meetings have shown that is the place to be here. New test at WFA level however and has to lump the same weight as Cascadian. Tough ask.
(9) Pinarello can improve rising in trip and is a 2nd up winner in the past.
(10) Promitto
$11/$2.40 (0.5/1.5 units)
Race 6
Not a bad consolation for those who didn’t manage to get a slot in the big one here with $2m up for grabs in the Sydney Stakes.
With Kementari getting a run in The Everest now I'll have something on (1) Apache Chase probably leads them up and looked in need of the run first up. 2nd up record is very good and a drying track will only increase his chances. He will look the winner at some stage up the straight.
7) Remarque is a new horse since being gelded and has won his two starts this prep very impressively. Had some query on him running on that wet track last start but he proved me wrong there. Is flying and deserves a crack at a race like this.
If we are on a soft 6 or better I think (14) Rocketing By is a huge price and can bounce back after some forgivable runs at his last couple. Was flying before that.
Jmac on for (4) In The Congo is a big tick and he should be a big improver here. Back to Randwick 1200m will suit after a forgetful run at Moonee Valley.
(1) Apache Chase
$5.50 (1 unit)
Race 7
Here it is. The $15m TAB Everest is upon us once again and the 2022 edition looks to be one of the strongest yet. Can Nature Strip stamp himself as the king of the sprinting ranks or will there be an upset? His old sparring partner Eduardo will try his heart out as per usual while Masked Crusdarer and Lost And Running will look to improve on their close finishes in this race last year. 3yo’s Jacquinot and Giga Kick add some excitement to the race while ex HK galloper Joyful Fortune gets a run off the back of a bm78 win!
You just can’t look past (1) Nature Strip here and you would be silly to be against Waller and Jmac on grand final day. This has been his target since he won the race last year and arguably you could say he is going as good as he ever as at the moment. Dominant first up in the Premiere and simply he can put up ratings which no horse on the planet can match. Barrier 12 is better than barrier 1 and with plenty of speed on he can take a sit and do his best work late. More than fair price in my opinion and your simply banking on him not having a slightly off day.
(4) Masked Crusader was once again an eye catching run last start in the Premiere, and it looked eerily similar to his run in this race last year which he probably should have won! Draws 10 and he should be able to get out with plenty of air this time. If they over do it up top he is the one with the turn of foot to run past them all.
(3) Lost And Running has turned himself into an elite sprinter and is going even better this time in. He looks to be flying and with race fitness on his side he will be right in the finish. Probably draws the best gate out of all the favoured runners and he can improve on his 4th from last year.
Really liked the inclusion of (11) Jacquinot here and if we are on a dry track then he comes right into the numbers. His Golden Rose win almost had to be seen to be believed and he might just be the new kid on the block to cause a big shock. Has the gears to match these.
Just can’t knock (2) Eduardo who never runs a bad race and will no doubt be flyign along up front. With Nash back aboard he rates the horse so well and you would expect Joe Pride has him ready to fire.
Craig Williams has come to Sydney to ride (12) Giga Kick, leaving behind plenty of big rides on Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne. This horse is unbeaten through four and just keeps stepping up to the plate. New test now but would love to see him run well for young trainer Clayton Douglas.
(1) Nature Strip
$2.10 (3 units)
Race 10
Really liked the first up win of (8) Finepoint and think there is a plenty of scope to improve with her. Rise to 1600m looks like it will suit and from barrier 2 I think she’s see every favour just off the speed. Handles wet or dry and in a race where many of these have found their level I just think she could be the one on the up.
(6) Grace And Harmony is going well and McDonald sticks for the ride here. Looked much better being ridden quiet and should be able to do that again from barrier 13. Think she is ready to peak now and will be hitting the line hard.
(1 Polly Grey looked a genuine certainty last week in the mud but probably comes back to the field on a drier track today. Think she will improve into the prep.
(3) Honeycreeper finally draws a better gate here and she is good enough to win this sort of race. With the first up run under the belt I think she can improve into the placings.
(8) Finepoint
$5.00 (1 unit)
