Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Randwick Race 4 - 4 High Bridge
Former UK hurdler has left his jumping days behind with his impressive Sydney form that saw him rise quickly from two restricted wins to finish a fine fourth in the G1 Metropolitan over this course and distance on September 29.
He’s a late bloomer as a quality stayer and should have no issues with the track conditions given his form on soft and heavy ground in the UK when he was jumping. Stable believes this race will propel him towards something bigger at the Melbourne carnival.
It’s taken a while for this high priced Frankel product to get his act together but his strong second up win over 1500m at Rosehill in soft ground indicates he has turned the corner.
He’s always been highly regarded by the Waller stable and this looks the right race for him to take another step up the ladder as he gets in nicely on the limit with a considerable weight advantage over his main rivals in testing ground.
Untapped talent is set to continue his rise after an impressive midweek win over 1100m at Warwick Farm on October 10 when he was classes above his rivals in heavy going.
The way he powered away to win by more than five lengths showed that this imposing individual had no issues with the ground and that is a big plus for him stepping up to this class coupled with his scope for natural improvement.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 13 October (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Biscara - Luckless debut. Looks talented.
Freehearted - Luckless debut. Looks talented.Wall Of Fire - Looking good for rest of the spring.
Revenire - Set for a successful campaign.The Cliffsofmoher - Class import. Follow through the carnival.
Spirit Of Valor - Impressed with outstanding closing sectionals. Good sprinter.Recent Blackbook winners - Savacool; Ringerdingding; Sesar; Tamasa; Diplomatico; Homesman; Patrick Erin; Oohood; God Of Thunder; Miss Admiration; The Autumn Run; Noire; Mikey Blue Eyes; Akkadian; Night’s Watch; Best Of Days; Isaurian; Haripour; All Too Soon.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 20/21 October
Randwick (Sat) - Etymology (R5), Dyslexic (R7), Warranty (R7), Firsthand (R8) and Araaja (R9)
Caulfield (Sat) - Graceful Storm (R1), Ranier (R2), Quilista (R3), Bons Away (R3), Futooh (R5), Verry Elleegant (R5), Life Less Ordinary (R7), The Cliffsofmoher (R8), Youngstar (R8), Savatiano (R9), Freehearted (R9) and Crack Me Up (R10).Elwick (Sat) - Street Tough (R2)
Cranbourne (Sun) - Mr Monaco (R4)TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Randwick (Sat) - Absolute Control (R1), Time To Reign (R1), Evening Slippers (R1), Astoria (R5), Ronstar (R6), Dyslexic (R7), Epidemic (R7), Marsupial (R8), Araaja (R9), Articus (R9) and Plaisir (R9)
Time To Reign (Warwick Farm 8 October) - Some nice efforts in the heavy conditions in the 2YO heats where this half-brother to 2017 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign was the one to capture most attention. Ben Melham came from Melbourne for the ride with the Gary Portelli-trained youngster in control by a clear margin from the jump and coasting to a comfortable 3.3 lengths win, running the quickest last 600m (34.80) of the four juvenile heats.
Absolute Control (Warwick Farm 24 September) - Medaglia D’Oro youngster having his debut trial had to work sitting three deep outside the lead pair and responded professionally when called on, giving the impression he will take a lot of benefit from the experience.
Marsupial (Warwick Farm 8 October) - Failed first up in Melbourne last month but we know he’s better than that and this trial win confirms that he can turn his form around when next produced. Settled behind pace before he was eased out five wide on the point of the turn under a big hold and from there he had plenty in hand getting the better of his rivals.
Dyslexic (Rosehill 2 October) - A tearaway leader ensured her 900m heat was a true test and the quality of this mare stood out as she cut back a five lengths lead over the last 200m to 0.3 lengths on the line with Tommy Berry keeping plenty in hand. Set to fulfil the promise she showed last season.
Ronstar (Warwick Farm 24 September) - Talented 3YO made an impression in his three starts last season that saw him win twice in good company. He was always in control of his trial despite some early pressure and had plenty in hand on the line running the fastest time of the 801m heats (46.54/32.80). Very professional and followed up with a noted effort in a second trial at Warwick Farm on October 8.
Flemington (Sat) - Greysful Glamour (R5)
Greysful Glamour (Warwick Farm 8 October) - Promising filly was back home from her win over 1800m at Flemington and her strong third in her 1200m heat indicates she is still on an upward spiral. She sat well off the leaders three wide and was held together while making strong headway, running through the line with plenty to offer. She is obviously in good form.
Newcastle (Sat) - Restrained (R5)
Restrained (Warwick Farm 8 October) - Unraced Lonhro 3YO has had five trials over the last 12 months, indicating that he may have had some issues, but there is some obvious ability. Settled in back half before he easily split runners on the turn and accelerated quickly while still on the bit to cut back a six lengths leader to 0.2 lengths on the line in the fastest of the five maiden heats over 791m.
Wyong (Sun) - Madam Oaks (R1), Stealth Sniper (R3), So Magic (R5), Excelling (R5) and Thy Kingdom Come (R8)
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.
