Group 1 action returns to Randwick this weekend with the Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) featuring the superstar mare Winx.
The feature race is supported by five other black-type races, including three Group 2's, making it a very decent card on offer.
The track is currently in the Soft 5 range and with fine weather predicted we may even see that upgraded into the Good range.
We have betting tips for every race, and a full preview for the Group 1 Colgate Optic White Stakes!
Randwick Betting Tips - September 17th 2016
Race 1 - Hanwritten
Race 2 - Magicus
Race 3 - Guard of Honour
Race 4 - TAB Tea Rose Stakes 1400m - Group 2
Group 2 over the 1400m here for the three-year-old fillies and there looks to be four winning chances for mine.
FOXPLAY was dominant when winning as our Best Value Bet last start at $8.50 and she comes up favourite here in what looks to be a pretty similar race. She really handled the wet track on that occasion and won by nearly two lengths, and from barrier 4 here she will once again get a perfect run.
SKYLIGHT GLOW finished 3rd first up but showed good ability in her first campaign with successive wins. She gets the blinkers on for the first time here - a tactic which worked well for James Cummings' Golden Rose runner Good Standing - and could run a big race.
GLOBAL GLAMOUR backed up her huge debut win with a big run first up behind Foxplay. She didn't get the cleanest of runs on that occasion and from the ideal barrier draw she will stand some chance of turning the tables.
The one I want to be on, however, is Foxplay's stablemate AWOKE. She was favourite in the race Foxplay won last start and beat Foxplay i a race at the end of last prep. She didn't appreciate the wet ground last start and it would pay to forgive that effort. Waller said she worked with Foxplay during the week and they went to the line together, and that they are as good as each other. From barrier 6 she will get a good run and at $9 her price is much more appealing.
Selection: Awoke (Best Value Bet)
Race 5 - Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes 2000m - Group 2
This is a race in two and it's obviously very hard to go past HARTNELL at $1.40 after his eight length win last start. He faces a very similar field here it will be difficult for anything to turn the tables. He's won 3 from 4 when 3rd up from a break and the step up to 2000m will also suit him.
I do, however, like the price about PREFERMENT and I'd much rather be backing him at $7.50 than Hartnell at $1.40. Preferment always takes one run before he hits his straps and his second up record suggests he will be much improved here. Last prep he won the Gr1 Australian Cup over 2000m when he was 2nd up, and Waller thinks he is the best 2000m horse in Australia bar Winx. The key to him is the firmer track today - he's no good on a Heavy track but the track is expected to be Good by the time this race is run and if that's the case, he can beat Hartnell.
Selection: Preferment
Race 6 - Colgate Optic White Stakes 1600m - Group 1
HAURAKI: Impressive win first up and he has been threatening to do that for some time. Now that he has one under his belt it would be no surprise to see him develop into a serious horse. Biggest threat to Winx.
IT'S SOMEWHAT: Fair effort first up behind Hauraki and did win 2nd up last prep. His best will come over 2000m at his third run back.
SPIRITJIM: Will need the run first up and this distance is short of his best but one to keep an eye on going forward as he may improve at his second prep in Australia.
GREAT ESTEEM: Back to back wins in Melbourne. He will go forward and lead but needs the track to be in the Good range. This is much harder than what he's been contesting.
VANBRUGH: Needs a good track and needs to improve but better suited over 1600m. Will improve more when he gets to 2000m but can't beat Winx here.
WINX: Looks to have come back exactly where she left off with an impressive win in the Warwick Stakes. Was set to run two weeks ago but scratched due to the wet track. Looks unbeatable and price suggests as much.
1st WINX
2nd HAURAKI
3rd IT'S SOMEWHAT
4th GREAT ESTEEM
Race 7 - Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts 1100m - Group 2
Best bet of the day here in Gai Waterhouse's potential star mare ENGLISH. She won first up last prep over 1000m with a blistering turn of foot before becoming a Group 1 winner at her final race of the prep. She returns here with two trial wins under her belt and if she returns like she did first up last prep, she should be winning this.
JAPONISME will be one of her main dangers. He was disappointing last start but didn't seem to handle the Heavy track under his 60kg weight. Down to 58kg (with the minimum weight only 3kg less) and back on to a firmer track should see him improve sharply. Bowman rides from barrier 4 and his record over this distance should see him very competitive.
KAEPERNICK won very impressively first up last prep at Scone before failing in the Stradbroke Handicap. Big watch on him here as he resumes from a spell. He's drawn well and has the potential to go to the next level.
Watch the market for Snowden runner DOTHRAKI - their runners resuming from a spell have recently been performing very well and the market generally tells the story with their horses.
Selection: English (Best Bet)
Race 8 - Tsaritsa
Race 9 - Daysee Doom
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Best Bet: Race 7 English
Very, very talented mare who won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at her final start last prep. I dislike backing Waterhouse runners but this mare has the potential to be a star - she won first up over 1000m last prep and her two trials have been good leading into this.
Best Value: Race 4 Awoke
It was a hard choice between Awoke and Preferment for the Best Value Bet but given Hartnell is $1.40, I've gone with Awoke in Race 4. Her first up run was a forgive run and she had excuses. Much better suited here on a firmer track with a good barrier draw. She beat Foxplay last prep and Waller said they are as good as each other, so the $9 on offer for Awoke is more appealing than the $2.90 for Foxplay.
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
