Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Confident the Packer Plate has been a target race for this lightly-raced So You Think 3YO from the Snowden stable, being a race with a reputation for launching its winners to much bigger things.
He was a class above his rivals winning his maiden over 1850m at Newcastle before taking a big leap to finish fourth in the G2 Tulloch Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill when he could not be missed running home strongly from last in the heavy ground behind the two horses that went on to run first and second in the ATC Derby.
He’s definitely on an upward spiral with the firmer track conditions giving him the chance to display his full potential.
Happy to make him the value play among the seven acceptors from the Waller stable in a wide open race as he only has to make the expected improvement from two excellent lead-ups in shorter events on wet tracks since resuming to play a big hand.
He’s won third-up in the past with the better track conditions and step up in trip giving him the chance to progress from his last start when he made ground strongly along the inside to be beaten only a head in the G3 Doncaster Prelude over 1500m at Rosehill.
Randwick Race 8 - 2 Home Of The Brave
Easy to appreciate why the Godolphin stable has selected this race for the dual acceptor as the high class import is perfectly placed to resume under the set weights and penalties conditions.
His two recent trials are strong evidence that he is in the right form to go on from his excellent first Australian prep when he was just pipped first-up at Flemington by Voodoo Lad before beating the G1 winners D’Argento and Trapeze Artist in the G2 Theo Marks over 1300m at Rosehill.
Looks certain to push forward and the weights he just wins if he brings that level of performance to this race.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 13 April (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Millard Reaction - Will keep improving.
Spring Charlie - He’ll win in his right class.Flit - Talented filly.
Scarlet Dreams - Suited if she goes on to Brisbane.Miss Siska - Follow against her own sex.
Clearly - Imported mare best suited at 1600m and longer.Recent Blackbook winners - Indian Thunder; Spin; Zoutori; Invincible Gem; Multaja; All Pluck; Widgee Turf.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 20 April
Randwick (Sat) - Carif (R3), Eawase (R4), Into The Abyss (R4), McCreery (R5), Abdon (R5), Fortress Command (R6), Loving Gaby (R6), Osborne Bulls (R7), Pierata (R7), Youngstar (R7), Viridine (R8) and Tyzone (R8)
Doomben (Sat) - Tangled (R5), Fit For Purpose (R5), Tyzone (R6) and Light Up The Room (R8)Caulfield (Sat) - Graceful Storm (R6)
Gold Coast (Sat) - Viral (R8)TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Randwick (Sat) - Test The World (R2), Problem Solver (R2), Major Wager (R4), Lanciato (R7), Home Of The Brave (R8), Viridine (R8), Brave Song (R8), Trekking (R8), Take It Intern (R9) and Articus (R9)
Home Of The Brave (Rosehill 8 April) - Cruised through his heat over 1030m, leading out strongly and having plenty in hand to run out a clear winner by 1.5 lengths. Definitely set for a successful campaign.
Brave Song (Randwick 14 March) - He was the eye catcher in a solid open company heat over 1050m, motoring to the line from last to finish a close third. He’s always looked above average and could be in for his best prep as he looks in great fettle for a campaign that could take him to Brisbane.
Doomben (Sat) - Tumultuous (R5) and Plague Stone (R7)
Kembla Grange (Sat) - Highjacker (R5) and Echo Gem (R7)Nowra (Sun) - A Room Somewhere (R3)
Kensington (Mon) - Czarson (R1), Human Nature (R1), Moreno (R1), Splintex (R1), Vaporizing (R1), Fox Swift (R3) and C’Est Davinchi (R4)Splintex (Warwick Farm 11 December) - Breeders Plate winner DUBIOUS won this 803m trial but there was a lot more to like about the third placing from this Snitzel colt in his first trial. He was last to settle before easily spearing between runners from the 500m to be sitting second turning for home. From there he was kept under a tight hold by Tim Clark and went to the line with plenty in reserve. He’s since had three more trials including a Randwick heat win, confirming the talent he showed here.
Muswellbrook (Mon) - Denman Unlimited (R3) and Regimental Band (R3)
Recent Trial Watch winners - White Moss; Seeingisbelieving; Estrado; Glamarama; Strome; Kylease; Re Edit; Santa Ana Lane; Sure Knee; Word For Word; Thiswilldous; Think It Over.
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.
