Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Ready to peak at his third run since resuming following two excellent prep runs over shorter trips. First-up was a luckless fourth over 1300m at Rosehill before working to lead under 59kg from a wide gate when close third over 1400m at this course on December 15 for his third placing in four Randwick starts.
The rise in class tempered by a sharp 5.5kg drop in weight that puts this race well within his reach over what is clearly his best distance.
Randwick Race 8 - 6 Southern Lad
Has put in a pleasing trial since his last appearance 29 days ago when he got home late for a strong win over 1250m at Canterbury for his third win in just six starts.
Holds more scope for improvement and the 3kg claim for the talented Robbie Dolan is key to his chances under these conditions from a soft draw as he drops to only 55.5kg on his home track.
Talented Melbourne filly takes on this suitable class fresh after six weeks since two luckless efforts in strong Listed races at Flemington and Sandown.
Makes a lot of appeal with her light weight after the 3kg claim for apprentice Tahlia Hope as she will be in recept of up 7.5kg from her main rivals and should enjoy a soft run from her inside draw.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 22 December (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Teodora - Still learning but has talent.
Invinzabeel - Tough run first-up.Sure Knee - Disadvantaged by inside draw. Progressive type.
Intuition - Plenty of merit in his effort.Emshalky - Will go well in easier races.
Emberto - Victim of traffic in big field.Recent Blackbook winners - So Si Bon; Easy Eddie; Miss Norway; Our Crown Mistress; My Nordic Hero; Kentucky Breeze; Firsthand; Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 29 December
Randwick (Sat) - Asterius (R5), Zip A Dee Doo Dah (R5), My Favourite (R6), Berdibek (R7), Gresham (R7), After All That (R8), Savvan (R9), Charlayne (R9) and Zizzis (R9)
Doomben (Sat) - Bluebrook (R8), Jorda (R9) and Warranty (R9)TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Randwick (Sat) - Igniting (R1), Giselle Anne (R1), Iconic Star (R1), Yitai Synergy (R1), Alizee (R6), Handsome Thief (R6), Rodrico (R7), Southern Lad (R8), Pipeline (R8), Zonk (R9), Pumpkin Pie (R9) and Seaglass (R9)
Igniting (Canterbury 20 December) - The Victorian team have another smart youngster in this robust colt by Starspangledbanner. Led on the inside of a line of three and responded well when called on to break three lengths clear at the 200m. From there he coasted and went through the line in great style with Glyn Schofield holding him down. Time wasn’t great (55.78; 35.66) but there is a presence about him.
Alizee (Randwick 17 December) - Her class was obvious as she really put in strongly to win her 1050m heat, having taken obvious improvement from her first-up trial at Rosehill on December 4. She settled five lengths off the lead in fourth but had no trouble making up the ground quickly and taking control in the last 150m with heaps in hand but still running much faster (1.03.43; 34.60) than the other five heats over the distance. She’s ready for the Christmas Classic at Randwick on December 29.
Alizee (Randwick 4 December) - Class mare returned for her first trial after her three month ban for a bleed at the start of her spring prep. Sat three wide off speed but doing it easily and worked home under no pressure for a soft second. The time was slow (55.16; 35.30) but a nice prep for what is expected to be a short summer campaign.
Pumpkin Pie (Hawkesbury 7 December) - Good mare now with Richard Freedman was having her second trial under his care and did all that was required to win, sitting outside the leader and getting the better of her rivals when the sprint went on in the last 100m. The time (60.96) was slow compared to the standard of the day but she looks well prepared to perform fresh.
Doomben (Sat) - Tactical Advantage (R4), Badajoz (R4) and Rome (R5)
Tactical Advantage (Gosford 18 December) - This class runner stood out, putting in a stylish effort to win his 800m heat in his first outing for six weeks, coasting four lengths back behind three rivals before rounding them under up under no urging. He cruised away for a soft win with plenty in hand and is ready to add to his excellent wherever Kris Lees takes him.
Recent Trial Watch winners - Fierce Impact; Sasso Corbaro; Dubious; Helga; Unify; Taken Everything; Bad Boy For Love; Hightail; Ljungberg; Ninamos; Lancaster Bomber; Unite And Conquer; The Runner; Wonderbabe; Mornay; Skagerrak; Sizzled; Alternative Facts; Kapajack; Athiri; On The Top; Samadoubt; Enjoy Elsie; Regent; Re Edit; Snippetspeed.
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.
