Selections and Best Bets For Randwick on August 18

Chris Scholtz provides his selections and best bets for Randwick on August 18.

RANDWICK August 18

RACE 2: (3) Just Shines

RACE 3: (8) Almanzora

RACE 7: (7) Siege Of Quebec

RACE 9: (9) Shogun Son EW

RACE 1: 6-2-14-11

RACE 2: 3-9-5-8

RACE 3: 8-3-10-2

RACE 4: 3-1-4-6

RACE 5: 6-3-1-9

RACE 6: 10-7-9-2

RACE 7: 7-1-3-9

RACE 8: 8-5-10-2

RACE 9: 9-5-6-13

FLEXI TRIFECTA

RACE 7: 1/7; 1/2/3/7/9; 1/2/3/7/9

FLEXI FIRST 4

RACE 6: 7/10; 7/10; 2/4/8/9/11; 2/4/8/9/11

FLEXI QUADDIE

RACE 6: 7/10

RACE 7: 1/3/7

RACE 8: 2/3/5/8/10

RACE 9: 3/5/6/7/8/9/13

RANDWICK PARLAY

RACE 2 (3) JUST SHINE: Goes to 2400m for the first time in his short career and should relish the trip on the big Randwick track where he is a perfect two wins from two starts. Overcame trouble to win over 1800m at Randwick second-up before his last start second to Raqeeq over 2000m at Rosehill three weeks ago when he didn’t get the best passage over the last 400m but still recorded the fastest last 200m. Benefits from a subsequent eye-catching 1200m trial and his chances enhanced by the claim for the talented Sam Weatherly as he meets Raqeeq 4kg better.

RACE 3 (8) ALMANZORA: Hard to have missed her first outing in 16 months when a luckless first-up fifth over 1100m at Canterbury as a short-priced favourite when she got a ride from Hugh Bowman he would like to forget. Having just her fourth career start, she settled last after a slow jump and was then held up and checked twice between 500m and 300m before she finally got a clear go, surging to the line in the last 100m when the race was all over. This time James McDonald can give her all the favours from an inside gate in a race where the speed will be on from the jump. Just watch for her to sail home over the top of them.

RACE 7 (7) SIEGE OF QUEBEC: Class act matched some of the best of his age last season and he is well placed on the limit weight when you measure up his black type form around the likes of Menari, Kementari, Pierata, Trapeze Artist and D’Argento, especially as he is getting 8kg off his major rival Le Romain. Two of his three wins have come when first-up and he has been well prepared to add to that record after two excellent trial wins and an exhibition gallop.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE

Eligible Blackbook Runners – August 18/19

RANDWICKL Reneged (R2); Outback Barbie (R4); Kementari (R6); Le Romain (R7); Zestful (R8); Insensata 9R8); Souchez (R9)

CAULFIELD: Creativity (R2); Strykinglee (R2)

GOLD COAST: Magstock (R6); Sony Legend (R8); I Am The General (R8)

TAREE SUNDAY: Editors (R3); Harnova (R6)

BLACKBOOKERS - Horses to follow at next three starts. Selected August 11

ALL TOO SOON: Typical staying type. Give her time.

MISS QUE: Strong return. Hard to beat against own sex.

EMPEROR’S WAY: Ready to win over a middle distance.

RINGERDINGDING: Capable of winning a nice race.

NIGHT’S WATCH: Weir camp had to be happy with his first-up effort.

HARIPOUR: It was a tragedy. Forget he went around.

URBAN RULER: Luckless at first 2000m attempt. Follow.

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Sparky Lad; Jetsonic; Island Missile; Curragh; Tactical Advantage; Eight Below. Mother To Race Her; Mantastic; Mister Sea Wolf; Paret; Raqeeq; Snitzepeg; Spin; You’ve Been Had; Call Me Handsome; Order Again; Aristocratic Miss; The Passage.