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ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 9 # 9 – Testator Silens
There was plenty in this Joe Pride-trained gelding's run at Randwick last week to say he's very close to a win and he may have a prime opportunity. He was all dressed up and ready to go behind the leader in a 1300m Benchmark 78 but the run just didn't come in enough time to wind up and finish it off. As it stands he still ran the fastest last 200m of the race and missed third by a narrow margin. Beaten half a length overall by Robusto. The back up is significant, he has an extra 100m which is no issue and the way he finished off last week suggests that, and like him drawn to blend into the race. Faces no harder task than he did second-up and if the breaks go his way, with the stable flying, he looks hard to hold out.
ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 6 # 3 – Crafty Eagle
Not giving up on Crafty Eagle and would love to see the button pushed and him land on the speed in a race that doesn't look to have a whole lot. Probably has that chance with the long run down the back straight at the Randwick mile. He went back off a wide gate second-up, the leader won and he wasn't able to make any impact at all. Arguably his best win was when ridden forward, sitting just off the pace, and it was at Randwick. Prepared to be forgiving of last start as his first run was excellent and if he can find his best form he'd be favourite in this race.
ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 10 # 11 – Union Army
Backmarkers regularly feature in discussions around sectionals and this lightly raced four-year-old is no exception. He resumed in what will be a strong Benchmark 72 a couple of weeks ago and clocked the fastest last 600m of 33.35 as he ran on from near last into third behind Boston Rocks and Infatuation. We've seen Infatuation come out and be narrowly beaten in the Gosford Guineas since then. He drew gate one and it didn't help him but he was hard to miss over the last 200m or so. He will need at least an even tempo to be able to sit back and round them up in a higher grade race but he does get in on the limit and won't have to worry about being hemmed away on the fence. If he's within range up the rise he'll be right in the finish.
KEMBLA GRANGE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 3 # 3 – Invade And Conquer
Five starts for four placings so far for this Robert and Luke Price -trained three-year-old but his turn isn't too far away. He was strong on the line at 1000m first-up then went to 1250m at Canterbury, was outsprinted early in the straight before winding up again at the finish into third behind Dazzle Legend. Back to his home track and up to 1400m looks an ideal set up and it's a maiden where every horse is exposed, no first starters, and he's drawn to get every chance.
