3 minute read

The quadrella legs at Randwick on Saturday look to provide a couple of strong each way plays.

The opening leg of the quadrella is the #races October Handicap where His Majesty appeals off a strong effort in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1350m).

His Majesty was finding the line well behind Chetwood on that occasion to record a 1.8 length fourth.

It was a determined effort, one which returned the son of Shamardal a Timeform rating of 108.

Form out of the race has since received a push via Le Romain who recorded a tough fifth in the Epsom Handicap last start, only beaten 1.2 lengths behind Hauraki.

Prior to that he was solid enough over 1200m at Rosehill behind Sir Bacchus, only beaten one length.

The Kim Waugh-trained grey was beaten a long neck on that occasion by Handfast who lines up as favourite in this affair.

Only finishing marginally behind Handfast on that occasion, His Majesty meets the Godolphin-trained runner an impressive 3kg better at the weights.

A full brother to multiple Group winner Puissance De Lune, His Majesty gets out to 1400m for the first time this campaign where he possesses a strong record.

His Majesty is also placed in each of his visits to this course, the latest of which was a huge performance in the Provincial Championships Final.

The October Handicap possesses a number of useful types however it is arguably only Handfast and His Majesty who look legitimately suited in the event.

Both possess race fitness, good last start form and perform well on firmer ground.

His Majesty appeals more though at his each way quote.

The following race is the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), the final Group 1 in Sydney for 2016.

Yankee Rose and Prized Icon sit at the top of the market before an abundance of each way chances present themselves.

One of these each way players is the John O’Shea-trained Honeywine.

The son of Street Cry was finding the line well to finish second in the Gloaming Stakes a fortnight ago behind Veladero.

It was a career best effort by Honeywine who also finished ahead of Prized Icon who is presently second favourite.

Honeywine was given a perfect ride by James McDonald last start and from barrier 2, Brenton Avdulla can again replicate that.

There is a lot to suggest Honeywine can improve further on that effort in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

Visually, he was finding the line like a three-year-old who will thrive up over the Spring Champion distance and has the pedigree to back it up with his half brother Solemn a winner up to 2200m.

He has the Blinkers go on for the first time which can be considered a positive considering the history John O’Shea has with applying Blinkers for the first time.

Here is an excerpt from the Sydney Specials on September 24 to highlight this when discussing Impending’s chances in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes.

“Through his career, Godolphin’s head trainer has enjoyed a 19% success rate with Blinkers first time and a profit on turnover of nearly 10%.

To highlight the importance of these figures, O’Shea boasts the strongest Blinkers first time strike rate/profit on turnover of any of the current top half dozen leading trainers in the Sydney Premiership.”

Also in Honeywine’s favour is the strong history Darley/Godolphin possess in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Since the Darley/Godolphin operation commenced in 2008, they have won three Spring Champion Stakes’ courtesy of Sousa (2008), Erewhon (2010) and Complacent (2013).

To view Fixed and Best Tote odds for the below races Click here to visit TopBetta.

Sydney Specials: Randwick – October 8

Each Way Play #1: R6; #7 His Majesty @ $6.00