Race-by-race preview and tips for Randwick on Saturday

Race 1 – 11.10AM ELITE SAND AND SOIL HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

2. Rumdabar could be in the right place at the right time in a wide open juvenile event. Ignore his Randwick debut – he bounced back quickly, romping away on a heavy track at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, and he’s bred to appreciate even more ground. If he can land in a similar spot just off speed, he should be difficult to hold off. 10. Woodenbridge was never in the race last time at Kensington, but it is worth forgiving that failure. Solid on a soft 6 first up, drawn better, blinkers on and in-form apprentice claims. Keep safe. 3. Defensemen held his ground OK first up at Canterbury close to a month ago now. Heavy track a small concern if it is testing, but otherwise he should be in the mix. 5. Gold Globe is an interesting runner first up at 1400m after he ran a couple of handy races in good company last time in.
How to play it: Rumdabar to win.

Race 2 – 11.45AM TAB HIGHWAY PLATE (1600 METRES)

1. Moon Sweeper is easy to like despite a six-week gap since his runaway Highway win at Rosehill on a heavy track. He drops 1.5kg after the claim for an apprentice who knows him, draws to be wherever he needs to be, and is clearly the horse to beat. 7. Red Rags To Bulls continues to race well without having a favourable set-up and probably finds another less than ideal scenario. Wasn’t far from Moon Sweeper in a Highway at Scone, but is much worse off at the weights. Logical danger. 3. Release Point may have made his run on the better part of the track, but still charged at the line to run third behind Portofino at Rosehill two weeks back. Yet to see a heavy track, but doesn’t appear to be an issue and is a good each-way chance. 2. Concoction is another first-timer on a heavy surface. He loomed to win his Highway at Rosehill a month ago and was outgunned late. Claim helps and is honest, so have to include.
How to play it: Moon Sweeper to win.

Race 3 – 12.20PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

Staying with 3. Perfect Justice and hoping the heavy track offsets his need for a bit more ground. He’s bursting to win one of these races, and while he did look to have his chance at this track and over this distance last time, he has the blinkers back on and that may be the edge he needs. 5. Forecaster led them up in the same race and held on pretty well to run third, holding his form at this level. Does have a heavy-track win and appreciates the give in the ground, so he should give a good sight again. 7. Murphilly is enjoying a handy preparation with two wins from three runs back and she looked strong at the end of the mile running away at Gosford last time. No surprise if she’s competitive. 17. The Mona Lisa enjoyed a perfect run and was able to capitalise when beating Perfect Justice. Different case this time with a wider gate and a heavy track, which she’s not proven on as yet.
How to play it: Perfect Justice to win.

Race 4 – 12.55PM CACTUS IMAGING HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

1. Benevac has been ambushed when looking the winner at his past two starts and has another chance to break through in a similar grade, albeit against a few promising ones. Ran well on a heavy track first up and this time draws softer, plus has the claim so he has to be one of the major hopes. 4. Zoufame is one of those promising rivals, and he’s straight to Saturday grade after a dominant maiden win at Warwick Farm. No idea on a heavy track, but he is back to his own age and a threat. 7. Jarrito cruised home when resuming in midweek company, then close up in the same race as Benevac. Most of the breed aren’t wet-trackers, but we’ll find out if she is. 5. Escargoes comes up in class now after two confidence-boosting home-track wins since a break. First of them was on a soft 7, and he has placed on a heavy, so he could measure up now.
How to play it: Benevac to win.

Race 5 – 1.30PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

5. All Kinds Of Folk brings Brisbane midweek form to Sydney, but what might be her ace is the heavy track. She revelled in it to win in easier company first up and no doubt she should have won last time out at Doomben. Gets her chance down in the weights in conditions she likes. 9. Horizons is working up to a win this preparation and gave a good sight in front when placed at this track and over this distance three weeks ago. Heavy track placing was at Newcastle, and she seemed OK on it. 3. Tambeloa showed positive signs running fourth in a Midway off a five-week gap and gets right down in the weights after the claim. Only heavy run was a third on debut. While his record isn’t the greatest, he has tackled some stronger races and this is the sort of field he should be competitive in. 1. Sacrify was only fair on a heavy Rosehill surface two starts back, then back on top on a soft track to win two weeks ago over 1800m. Other heavy attempt was a second at Warrnambool last year. Generally consistent, so can run well.
How to play it: All Kinds Of Folk to win.

Race 6 – 2.05PM KIERAN MOORE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

3. Petticoat has an imposing record at this track and distance, and was far from disgraced when finding Ice Kool just a shade too strong last time out. She’s staying down in the weights with the claim again, races on the speed and looks to handle all conditions, so she should give a good account. 4. Prima Bella is arguably the best wet-tracker in the race with three of her five career wins coming on heavy ground. She also took on Ice Kool last time in a different race and didn’t make an impression, though that was a soft 5. Heavy-track winner first up and can bounce back. 7. Zouripper was in the right part of the track when he charged into second at Rosehill at his second run for the new stable. He is a heavy-track winner, but has been hit-and-miss. 9. Sociable is racing well without winning, and was saved from Wednesday to run here, where he’s drawn to get cover and drops 6kg after the claim.
How to play it: Petticoat to win.

Race 7 – 2.40PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

9. Boniface ran well first up on a wet track in Melbourne and his first Sydney run a few weeks ago was promising. He was responsible for some of the better sectionals in running a close second and didn’t seem to relish being hemmed in on the inside. That won’t be a problem from a wider gate as he’s fitter and no surprise to see him turn the tables. 4. Tazima has a 2kg turnaround in the weights against him, but he is racing in super form, was a heavy-track Randwick winner two runs ago and is the logical danger. 1. Williamsburg showed a return to form with a solid fourth behind Midnight Dynamite in the Civic, and it will be interesting to see if he can perform to some of his old heavy-track form, which reads nicely for a BM88. Each-way chance. 11. Sly Boots also comes through the Tazima race, and he hit the line well late after a tough run into fourth. He did struggle on a Caulfield heavy two runs back, which is a small concern, but on his last run, he’s not far off a win.
How to play it: Boniface to win.

Race 8 – 3.20PM ROBRICK LODGE EREMEIN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

8. Seven’s finds the right event to revert to racing on the speed after he was eased out the back from a wide gate at Rosehill then ran on where they weren’t making ground late into fifth. Sat on the speed in all three previous runs this time in and is unbeaten on heavy ground. Won’t get a better chance to break through. 3. Cold Brew is an up-and-comer who got the job done second up in a Midway and he certainly has no issues with a wet track. This will be his first Randwick wet track though. Up in weight with no claim this time, but is promising. 13. I’ve Bean Tryin’ has some handy wet-track credentials with four of his eight wins coming on heavy tracks, and he wasn’t bad at Hawkesbury last time. Ran OK behind Mawjood in this class before that and down in weight. 11. Concordia Wind pounced at the right time to break through at Warwick Farm over the mile third up. Her only heavy-track attempt was on debut, and she won that. Has a show.
How to play it: Seven’s to win.

Race 9 – 4PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

2. Lugh looks nicely placed second up after a more than pleasing return in a stronger race won by Cool Jakey last month. He’s a proven Randwick heavy-tracker and is unbeaten second up. Can put himself on the pace if needed, and with the claim, should have a big say in the finish. 13. Narbold blew the start at Rosehill two weeks ago but did hit the line well behind them late. Form around his previous effort when third at Randwick behind Formal Display is good, and he loves a wet track. 9. Emirate has found a new lease on life with back-to-back wins at Rosehill over 1500m in the past month. His heavy-track win was on debut, and he’s difficult to leave out in his current mood. 10. Mickey’s Medal showed some improvement second up when close up behind Emirate, and while up in weight with no claim and drawn out, he can run well.
How to play it: Lugh to win.

Race 10 – 4.35PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

2. Swiftie Harriet has been excellent in her two Sydney runs and really made Surf’s Up work to catch her at the end of 1400m at Rosehill two weeks ago. This is no harder, though it is a wetter track, and she’s drawn to be wherever needed in the run, so if she does get through the ground, she’s the one to beat. 10. Hurry Miss was a real eye-catcher in her return in a strong Highway three weeks back, getting way too far back and storming down the outside to run third behind Chains Of Love. She seems to like some give in the ground, up in distance and down in weight are pluses, and she can run well. 14. Nandina has a heavy-track second to Hello Captain in her form and she ran an even race against her own age at this track last time out. Lightly raced and one of the chances. 4. Bella Corazon beat Swiftie Harriet two starts back, then ran fourth behind her last time out. She’s 2kg worse off with no claim this time, but is racing well and can’t be left out. 3. Aye Aye Captain was excellent in third in the same race, though a testing heavy track is likely against her.
How to play it: Swiftie Harriet to win.

Supplied by Racing NSW.