Early Mail and Blackbook Update for December 12

Early mail for Randwick and Blackbook Update for December 12.

RANDWICK SATURDAY

RACE 1 (4) RULE THE RIVER: Unbeaten in two starts since resuming from long spell and the sequence can continue as she is again well placed to add to her growing record. After winning first-up over 1100m at Canterbury beating the talented Festivity she came back in distance to 1000m for another impressive win at Warwick Farm and now gets the chance to win for the first time on her home track where her only start produced a placing over this trip.

RACE 5 (6) QUICK STRIKE: Having just his third attempt at 2400m and on past efforts should prove hard to beat, having finished fifth in Mongolian Khan’s ATC Derby last autumn and a last start third behind Jiayuguan at Rosehill when he carried 61kg and conceded 2.5kg to the winner. Tumbles to the limit and needless to say he definitely has the weights in his favour this time. Get the feeling Chris Waller has had these summer staying races in mind for this gelding from the start of this prep.

RACE 7 (15) GOD’S IN HIM: Expecting the lightweights to play a big hand in the Villiers with this talented 6YO an excellent gamble in the big field. He’s three from five at Randwick and they include a win over the Villiers course last summer beating the subsequent G1 winner Good Project. A light spring saw him finish second in the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill splitting Vashka and Messene and then go eight weeks before his last start fourth under 61kg over 1400m at that course when he was anchored by 61kg. He’ll be in the thick of this carrying only 53kg from an ideal draw.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE

Selected Horses from December 5 (Randwick; Sandown)

TARQUIN: Nailed on the line by a fitter rival. Classy.

CLEARLY INNOCENT: Should not take long to make up for this luckless effort.

MAHICAN: Encouraging first-up effort for new trainer..

BLACK JAG: Building up for another good campaign

RELDAS: Definitely needs something longer than 1000m.

Eligible Blackbook Runners for December 11/12

CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Like Xena (R3/5); Banksters Bonus (R5)

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Bank On Henry (R2); Lady Sniper (R6); Puccini (R7); Ryker (R9); Magical Stance (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Gracious Prospect (R4); Sistine Demon (R8)

WERRIBEE SUNDAY: Tall Ship (R6)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS (Since September 1) - Azkadellia. Vanbrugh; Onerous; Silverball; Good Project; Disposition; Iggimacool; Kermadec; Ruling Dynasty; Hebden; Press Statement; Music Magnate; Stratum Star; Artistry; Zayam; Terravista; Braccenby; Lucky Hussler; Happy Clapper; Tarzino; I Can Rock; Zarzali; Pittsburgh Flyer; Star Of Night; Famous Seamus; Telepathic; Zanbagh; Festivity.