Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Randwick Race 7 - 2 Dixie Blossoms
There are few better sprinting mares in Sydney and even with 58.5kg she is going to take a power of beating first-up against her own sex after an excellent trial that has me confident this could be her best campaign.
She flies when fresh and the booking of Hugh Bowman is a positive sign from her trainer Ron Quinton that he has her primed for a big return.
She has impeccable key stats (first-up; distance; course) and maps to get a perfect sit on the leaders. Her class should do the rest.
Classy import returns for his second Australian campaign and sure we are yet to see the best of him. Could not be better placed after two impressive trial performances where his sharp turn of foot has stamped him as a horse ready to produce a big first-up sprint.
He’s very good fresh, there is sufficient pace in this field to suit his pattern and the booking of Hugh Bowman a huge positive.
Progressive Canberra-trained mare continues to build an impressive record, having missed a place only once in eight starts, and this class looks well within her scope with her light weight after the claim for Andrew Adkins.
She’s risen from the Highway grades with strong placings at her last two starts in good Caulfield and Randwick company and the return to 1000m after a month freshen should work well for her given that she is unbeaten at the trip and will sit hard on the fast pace from her good draw.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 12 August (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Tom Melbourne - Tragedy beaten. Looks more focused under new trainer.
Mandalong Kiss - Watch for her to bob up in midweek company.Etymology - Sprinted nicely fresh for a horse who needs further.
Tally - Solid return Good spring prospects over more ground.So Si Bon - Obvious eye-catcher first-up. Has class.
Serenely Discreet - Desperately unlucky at Morphettville. Ready to win.ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 19-21 August
Randwick (Sat) - Mogador (R4), More To Gain (R4), Muraqaba (R4), Calculated (R5), Dracarys (R5), Inference (R6), Harper’s Choice (R6), Dixie Blossoms (R7), Top Striker (R9) and Gibraltar Girl (R9)
Caulfield (Sat) - Chapel Road (R3), Toy Boy (R3), Foundry (R4), Tulip (R5), Tosen Stardom (R7) and Amelie’s Star (R7)Doomben (Sat) - Denarius (R8)
Morphettville (Sat) - Santa Ana Lane (R7)Seymour (Sat) - Spoils (R1)
Taree (Sun) - Admiral Jello (R7)Gunnedah (Mon) - Crooked Blaze (R7)
Chris’ final observations and full audio preview of all Sydney races will be available after 9.30am Saturday on the R&S website and tweeted by @ScholtzRacing.
