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Selections and best from Chris Scholtz for today's Randwick meeting plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RANDWICK February 9
Best Bets
RACE 5 (4) DAKOTA VROOM: Promising I Am Invincible mare is getting better with every start and is well placed against her own sex to take another step after impressive midweek wins over 1100m and 1250m at Canterbury, efforts that suggest she will appreciate her bigger home track. Has a wicked turn of foot that has proven effective under both good and soft conditions.
RACE 6 (4) CABALLUS: Fast improving 3YO takes on a classy field after resuming with a dominant win over 1100m at Rosehill when he put away two subsequent winners with ease. Others have deeper Group credentials at this stage but he's found his form quickly for his new stable and appeals as the right horse in the right race at the right time with his edge in race fitness.
RACE 9 (8) AMOR VICTORIOUS: Ready for open company after he went to a new high with a free running first-up win in a BM78 over 1400m at this course on January 27, trouncing subsequent winner Estadio Mestalla by almost three lengths to keep intact his unbeaten record at Randwick. Obvious leader again and extra 200m presents no issues dropping sharply in weight.
Selections
RACE 1: (12) LEANDRA; (8) Cirebon; (7) Our Maryanne; ((5) Invincible Legend
RACE 2: (8) CELERITY; (2) Embassy; (9) Froebel Star; (1) Anode
RACE 3: (6) INFINITIVE; (9) Canadian Ruler; (4) Hell Hath No Fury; (8) Nana's Wish
RACE 4: (6) MELODY AGAIN; (3) Belvedere Boys; (20) Atmospheric Rock; (10) Rapbidash
RACE 5: (4) DAKOTA VROOM; (7) Gently Rolled; (2) Howgoodareyou; (5) Afterlight
RACE 6: (4) CABALLUS; (5) Moravia; (6) Celestial Legend; (3) Encap
RACE 7: (2) RUE DE ROYALE; (1) Odinson; (10) Nymphadora; (4) Fully Lit
RACE 8: (7) BARBER; (3) Derry Grove; (8) Frilled; (2) Omni Man
RACE 9: (8) AMOR VICTORIOUS; (7) Marquess; (10) Floating; (9) Principessa
RACE 10: (11) ACAPELLA SUN; (5) Bellinger; (3) Tintookie; (9) Shezanalister
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1: (12) LEANDRA - Gets conditions to suit back in class. Can exploit her weight advantage from good draw.
RACE 2: (8) CELERITY - Obvious class in her trials. Worth the wait after late scratching last week due to rider injury.
RACE 3 (6) INFINITIVE - Best work late when resuming over 1400m. Sure to relish this extra trip with 4.5kg less.
RACE 4: (6) MELODY AGAIN - Proven Highway performer resumes off good trial win. Backmarker with a big finish.
RACE 7: (2) RUE DE ROYALE - Impressive Rosehill placing off a fast pace on his first Sydney visit. Classy prospect will be strong late.
RACE 8: (7) BARBER - Group 3 winner with the right form for this class. Best fresh and hot pace sets up nicely for him.
RACE 10: (11) ACAPELLA SUN: Value chance in an open race. Will appreciate light weight under favourable conditions.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – February 10-12
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Celerity (R2); La Roja (R2); Capital Dancer (R2); Embassy (R2); Mrs Maree (R2); Griff (R6); Makarena (R6); Moravia (R6); Tom Kitten (R6); Odinson (R7); Zestiman (R7); Omni Man (R8); Key Largo (R8); Frilled (R8); Marquess (R9); Diamil (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Bodyguard (R6); Zapateo (R8); Kallos (R8); Pericles (R9); Blanc De Blanc (R10); Lazzago (R10)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Pipistrelle (R6)
BATHURST MONDAY: Air Combat (R7); Out Of Aces (R7)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Prost; Lady Of Camelot; Mad Darcey; Merchant Lady; Ironton; Whinchat; Capabelle; Koby Girl; Tashi; Amor Victorious; Winning Proposal; Switzerland; High Octane; Memoria; Caballus; Winston Hills; Lovero; Norton Road; Rockbarton Fashion; Sky Artist; King Of Sparta; Too Darn Lizzie; Junqueira
TRIAL POINTERS
HAWKESBURY FEBRUARY 1: ZAPATEO trialled as you would expect from a sprinter of her class, doing all that was required to win her 800m heat with plenty in reserve (47.09; 31.17). G1 winner TOM KITTEN also impressed with his close second in his 800m trial (48.24; 33.54). He tracked three wide under a big hold, warming to his task in great style over the last 100m with a lot to offer through the line. Other Godolphin runners to trial well included MARQUESS, KALLOS and PIPISTRELLE.
WARWICK FARM January 30: Group horses contested three course proper heats. In Heat 1 over 1000m PERICLES sat off the leader GRIFF and worked home best under a hold for a soft win (59.78; 34.19). In Heat 3 over 900m ENCAP worked home for a strong second behind Tiz Invincible. The unraced CELERITY was an impressive second in the fastest of the four 2YO heats over 785m (46.16; 33.31). Having her second trial, she settled five lengths off the winner and made her run widest on the turn before working to the line under a big hold from James McDonald to take good ground off the smart winner. Other 2YOs to make a good impression were the heat winner MRS MAREE (46.52; 33.39) while Melbourne winner ZESTIMAN took the eye with his closing fifth in a heat he could have won. Sharp winners in the 792m heats included the speedster FRILLED (46.00; 32.79).
ROSEHILL January 25: MAKARENA finished an impressive fourth in a strong 3YO fillies trial in the fastest of the 900m heats (53.75; 34.25) after travelling three wide. Her strong work under an easy ride was a perfect start to her autumn campaign.
RANDWICK January 22: In the 2YO trials over 1050m BODYGUARD repeated his recent second at Canterbury with another good placing in the quicker of the two trials (61.81; 34.00). In the open heats for the older horses the better winners included KALLOS while a soft trial from MORAVIA covering ground was a nice effort.
WARWICK FARM January 16: Heat winners to make an impression included FRILLED winning the fastest 799m trial (47.22; 33.96) and the 2YOs ODINSON (799m 47.63; 34.35), and EMBASSY (796m 47.23; 34.22).
CANTERBURY January 9: A classy return by I Am Invincible filly BLANC DE BLANC in her first appearance since she finished sixth in the Golden Slipper last March. Oozed class as she sat off the leaders, travelling three wide on the bit before easing past them under no pressure to record a soft win in her 902m heat (55.08; 34.31). The time was slow for the session but she had plenty in reserve. Noted open heat winners in the 902m trials included OMNI MAN (53.94; 33.87).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – February 10
RANDWICK Saturday: Infinitive (R3); Gently Rolled; (R5); Celestial Legend (R6); Rue De Royale (R7); Nymphadora (R7); Lord Ardmore (R9); Bellinger (R10)
CAULFIELD Saturday: Foxy Cleopatra (R5); Flattered (R7); Sweet Ride (R8)
DOOMBEN Saturday: Sigourney (R4); Pentito (R8)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Dark Journey; Our Maryanne; Pereille; Glory Daze; Ceerseven; Cradle Of Life; Our Kobison; Caballus; Bermadez; Nana's Wish; Union Army; Va Via; Miracle Spin; Contemporary; Zennzella; Gelatin; Munhamek; Acotango; Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck; Ka Bling
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected February 3
(Follow for next 3 starts)
AFRICAN DAISY; DIPSY DOODLE; FEARLESS; STEFI MAGNETICA; STRAWBERRY ROCK
