3 minute read

The strong start to the campaigns of both Solemn and Territory can continue at Randwick on Saturday.

Both were last start winners on the Kensington track and a fortnight later the pair return to the scene of the crime.

Additionally, Solemn and Territory each line up against a number of the same rivals they accounted for in their latest outings.

The duo rate highly in their races and both still appear to possess plenty of room for improvement with Territory and Solemn second and third up this campaign respectively.

Neither possesses favouritism though and can continue rewarding their followers at healthy odds this Saturday.

Solemn contests the Horsepower Sweetfeed Benchmark 85 Handicap (1800m).

A winner of the 2012 Geelong Classic (2200m), Solemn for the most part as a younger horse promised the world but delivered an atlas.

His three-year-old autumn preparation was hideous but has returned this campaign with renewed vitality thanks largely to a wind operation and also being gelded.

Solemn resumed in excellent order at Rosehill before producing the improvement necessary to salute at this track in a Benchmark 85 over 1550m.

The Bernardini four-year-old on that occasion defeated five of the nine rivals he faces again here and appears set to deliver a repeat dose.

While meeting a majority of them worse at the weights, Solemn appears to bring more upside into this contest.

The likes of Index Linked and Capital Commander have been up for a while and although rating alongside Solemn on last start figures having carried more weight, don’t appear open to the improvement Peter Snowden’s four-year-old should have in him third run from a spell.

Solemn’s career best success was clearly the Geelong Classic and it netted the son of Bernardini a master Timeform figure of 104.

His latest effort came in at 93 confirming there is room for improvement.

Connections are of the opinion Solemn will continue to improve over more ground so the rise to 1800m should be right up his alley.

Snowden is setting Solemn for the Summer Cup (2400m) however seeing him pick this event off on the way would come as no surprise.

Largely known as a perennial placegetter, Territory last start rocketed home for a first up success at this track, class and trip.

Settling worse than midfield, Territory unleashed an impressive turn of foot as he weaved between opposition for a long neck success.

Rivals here in Agister, Monbazillac and Tahitian Black filled second through fourth respectively during that contest while the favourite here in Field Marshall ran sixth, albeit a somewhat unlucky sixth.

Only 1.4 lengths covered them however it was Territory who produced the eye catcher of the quintet.

He will strip fitter second up and should be charging home late.

While a model of consistency last campaign, Territory’s first up victory will provide confidence for both the horse and his followers.

For that reason the $7.50 on offer about Territory in the International Animal Health Benchmark 85 Handicap (1150m) appeals.

The shortest priced favourite of the day at Randwick is the Peter Snowden-trained Miniature in the Inglis – Find Your Next Racehorse Handicap (1300m).

While a highly promising daughter of Exceed And Excel, near even money about a filly taking on the older mares for the first time just looks fraught with danger.

Miniature has worked through her grades well this campaign although hit a road block here a fortnight ago over this distance against three-year-old company.

The filly on that occasion was positioned behind a suicidal tempo and was entitled to weaken over the final stages.

This looks a tougher assignment though yet Miniature appears set to start at shorter odds.

More seasoned mares such as Dream Empress, Two Blue and Alesteem will all be prominent up on the speed with Miniature while the Chris Waller trio of Berrimilla, Acapela and Caesar’s Princess will be charging home late.

On weight adjusted Timeform ratings, Miniature sits well down the pecking order in the fillies and mares contest.

She doesn’t sppear as bullet proof as a $2.10 favourite should be so perhaps look for some value or just watch the seventh at Randwick on Saturday from the sidelines.

Sydney Specials

Banker: Race 5, #5 Solemn @ $3.30

Play Of The Day: Race 6, #2 Territory @ $7.50

Lay Of The Day: Race 7, #11 Miniature @ $2.10