Sydney Specials: Randwick – August 8

Darciwood should be maintaining a perfect course record when contesting Race 7 at Randwick on Saturday.

The Team Hawkes-trained gelding was excellent on resuming, settling back and rattling home for a last to first victory.

It was a hugely eye catching display and one he can build upon further in the TAB Place Multi Benchmark 85 Handicap (1000m).

Darciwood’s first up display returned a Timeform rating of 97 which is clearly a new master Timeform rating for the son of Darci Brahma.

The display was suggestive of a galloper back this campaign in tremendous order and can build upon the performance second up.

He lines up in a field of ten on Saturday with the Benchmark 85 Handicap as a whole lacking depth.

Darciwood faces obvious opposition from another first up winner in the form of Boss Lane however outside of any resistance Ron Quinton’s sprinter may provide, the race appears Darciwood’s for the taking.

With good early speed anticipated, Darciwood will settle back and be rattling home late.

Unbeaten at the course and distance, watch for Darciwood to maintain that perfect strike rate whilst also improving on an already solid second up record.

After opening at genuine each way odds ($7.50) on Wednesday, there has been good support for the Gai Waterhouse-trained Duccio in Race 3.

Duccio contests the Lindblad Expectations Benchmark 80 Handicap (2000m) off two sound runs so far this campaign.

His latest outing returned a two length third over 1500m at Rosehill behind the John O’Shea-trained Alegria.

It was a sound performance where the More Than Ready gelding was prominent throughout.

There is a lot to suggest it will be a case of third time lucky for Duccio this campaign on Saturday.

The race possesses zero early speed on paper and it is expected Duccio will go straight to the front.

With a refreshed Jim Cassidy in the saddle, the pair are expected to get away with some cheap sectionals out in front and from there, be hard to reel in over the final stages.

Third run from a spell and rising in trip, Duccio shapes as a great chance at near each way odds.

Looking at his older form, the four-year-old should also appreciate a firmer surface underneath.

The gelding placed on resuming at Kembla Grange on a Good track before finishing a well beaten second as favourite at Newcastle over 1500m on a Heavy 10.

A return to firmer footing third up resulted in a sharp return to form, taking out a Canterbury maiden where subsequent Victoria Derby winner Preferment ran second.

After two sound showings so far this campaign, Duccio could be poised to reach a new level third up on a firmer racing surface in the Lindblad Expectations Benchmark 80 Handicap (2000m) at Randwick.

Sydney Specials: Randwick – August 8

Best Of The Day: R7; #4 Darciwood @ $2.80