Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Rosehill Race 5 - 8 Cannyescent
Needs good tracks so it looks a smart move by the red hot Lindsay Park stable to switch this highly talented 5YO to Sydney coming off an excellent first-up second down the straight at Flemington when just beaten by the classy G1 winner Hey Doc with subsequent Caulfield winner Grande Rosso third.
He can add to that impressive form line here as he is beautifully placed on the limit weight of 53kg, noting that he carried 59.5kg to win over 1350m at Rosehill the last time he visited Sydney in May that preceded two excellent Melbourne wins in strong form races.
Trainer Craig Ritchie has done a superb job with this gelding to bring him through the classes with three wins and two placings from his last five starts since June.
Probably needed the freshen after his latest win over 1200m at Randwick five weeks ago but showed he was in the right form to go on with it here when he cruised to a strong trial win over 1050m at Randwick last week. Gets Bowman and a good draw so he has plenty in his favour to take another step up the ladder.
Expecting a strong showing from this smart 4YO second up after his pleasing third when resuming over 1350m at this course on August 12 when he looked short of his top despite some good lead-in trials.
Expecting his added fitness to make a considerable difference here as meets the winner of that race The Pharaoh 2.5kg better from a favourable draw.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 2 September (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Muraahib - Excellent prep for the Guineas and beyond.
Harlem - Fine start towards qualifying for the Cups.Violate - Can find a suitable race over the spring.
Turnitaround - Must be followed if this is taken on face value.Schedule - Should have gone close first-up. Highway special.
Dawn Wall - Showed her class fresh. Best to come.I Am Excited - Quality filly. Will get better up in distance.
My Nordic Hero - Is this the spring sleeper among the Waller imports?Recent Blackbook winners - Irish Constabulary; Pick Me Up; Another Bullseye; Suncraze; Fraternater; Kiwia; Chamois Road; Dracarys; Mariquita; Tango Rain; Pariah; Victory Downs; Bergerac; Screamarr.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 9 September
Rosehill (Sat) - Imanui (R3), Dixie Blossoms (R5), Gibraltar Girl (R6), Chauffeur (R7), Top Striker (R8) and Oklahoma Girl (R9)
Moonee Valley (Sat) - Sunquest (R2), Foundry (R4), Brave Smash (R7), Santa Ana Lane (R7), Gallante (R8), Boom Time (R9) and Etymology (R9)Morphettville (Sat) - Oberland (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.
