Doomben Race 7 Tip #11 Hearts Lifted $4.20
This Hinchinbrook mare has been a consistent performer to date, having won 3 from 11 starts and only missed a place twice (11:3-4-2).
She produces her best at 1200m (5:2-2-1) and is ready to go one better than her last start second.
She carried her good form into that run, where she absolutely rattled home to just miss Chico Malagro after giving her 6 lengths start from the 300m.
The winner came home in 34.28 seconds for the last 600m so given the mare was a fair way back, she must have run some serious closing time.
She is adaptable with her racing style, so jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester can decide to slot her just behind the speed or drop back and use her sprint late.
This is her second run at 1200m this prep so she should be cherry ripe for this assignment, and can finish over the top of them. Ready to win.
Randwick Race 9 Tip #4 Superium $7.00
I’ll be waiting until the last race to go chips in with this Joe Pride trained gelding.
On face value, his form has been disappointing. However, on further inspection he has had his fair share of excuses.
Last preparation he simply just did not come up and that was largely attributed to the heavy tracks he had to face each and every week.
He does his best work on Good decks (8:3-2-0), which we will get this Saturday at Randwick.
He has had the one quiet trial in preparation for this, where he trucked to the line under a hold. Rory Hutchings rode him that day and sticks for race day.
He excels first-up where from 3 attempts he's won 2 and finished a very good fourth in the Listed Rosebud against some nice types.
There looks a stack of speed on paper in this clash and he’s drawn perfectly in barrier 5 to stalk the leading pack and swoop late.
Caulfield Race 3 Tip #6 Windstorm $2.25
A genuine winner who possesses one heck of record (9:6-2-0).
His last start win at this track was impressive and the runner-up from that race is now the $4 favourite for the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
He maps perfectly with Runson setting a strong tempo and with even luck he'll fly over the top late.
Caulfield Race 5 Tip #10 Diamond Effort $5.50
Was luckless in the Moir Stakes, but can atone here returning to his favourite set-up, the Caulfield 1100m.
He was close to winning a Group 1 last start, so this Group 2 is certainly within reach.
He'll be flying late and at the odds, looks a great bet.
Ascot Race 1 Tip #6 Lord Lonsdale $3.30
The much-maligned Saturday maiden kicks off the new Ascot racing season, but I think the best of the day comes up there in the form of Lord Lonsdale who returns 10 months after making his race debut.
He ran fourth in that hit-out and the 3 horses who beat him have subsequently won 6 races between them. He drew wide that day and raced greenly, but made good ground in the straight.
The gelding has the ear muffs going on for this clash to help correct his racing manners, which should improve him.
I loved the recent trial where he was ridden on-pace. When challenged by other runners, he was given a reminder with the stick and really extended quickly before going through the line under his own steam.
Kieran McDonagh likes to train for speed and Chloe Azzopardi rides best on front runners.
It all equates to Lord Lonsdale either leading or landing in the first few runners. Being back at Ascot, that should make him very hard to catch.
Kembla Grange Race 7 Tip #1 Pale King tbc
This import won his debut overseas in the UK earlier this year over 2414m. He then landed in Australia and is now under the care of Team Hawkes.
His recent trial over 1030m suggests he can be competitive over 1600m, first-up. He ran well through the line to finish 5 of 9 in that work-out, finishing 5.2-lengths off star sprinter Gytrash.
The horse who finished alongside Pale King, Fortressed Command, has subsequently won a benchmark 78 race. This suggests that trial was full of merit.
He can win first-up against moderate opposition and is definitely one to follow through the prep.