Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts

R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.

Randwick Race 2 - 7 Slivovitz

Appeals as a late maturing stayer just reaching his peak. Came off a luckless Randwick effort for a last start win in the Taree Cup when he had to sustain a long run from near last under difficult conditions to add to his excellent record on slow and heavy tracks. Soft going will again play to his strengths and he’s in the right form to test this field under a favourable weight.

Randwick Race 5 - 9 Royal Descent

Confident this is her chance to record her first win since that astonishing 10 lengths victory in the Oaks at Randwick 17 months ago after her fine first-up second in the Warwick Stakes two weeks ago. She had impressed in two strong trials leading into that race and just lacked the dash of the winner who got all the favours with a soft lead over the 1400m. The extra 200m, her preferred soft ground and added fitness on a track where she has missed a place only once in seven starts are factors hard to ignore.

Randwick Race 6 - 8 Target In Sight

Talented sprinter produced a terrific effort to win first-up over this course and distance on August 9 carrying 59kg in fast time for that Benchmark class. Faces the step up to Group 3 company but he’s got the advantage of having had a recent race against the majority of this field who are resuming from spells. The month between runs suits as he races best with his races spaced and the affected ground presents no issues on a track where he has won three of his four starts.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 30/8 (Rosehill & Caulfield)

Kumaon - Impressive return by a talented prospect. Can land one of the big ones.

Cluster - Top effort under adverse conditions after six weeks off. At his best on top of the ground.

Precious Gem - Had little luck after giving away a big start. Close to a win.

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 6 September

Randwick - Disclaimer (R2), Washington Heights (R4), Criterion (R5), Hooked (R7), Danchai (R7) and Spy Decoder (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.