Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Indications are top Canberra trainer Matt Dale will prefer to start this last start Randwick winner over stablemate Il Bandito and that in itself is almost money in the bank given that his stable has won no less than eight of these Highway races.
The promising Clipper may be rising 3kg on his last start Highway win over 1100m at this course two weeks ago but that was his first run back from a spell, this field lacks serious depth and he boasts the all-important stat of being unbeaten in two starts on soft and heavy tracks.
Randwick Race 5 - 5 Mandalay Bay
Deserves a change of luck after having things go against him in recent starts in Melbourne and Sydney.
Came north off a luckless fourth over 1600m at Sandown to finish fourth at first 2000m attempt at this course on May 27 but arguably could have won after missing the start by three lengths and then blocked for clear running over the last 300m.
Has the necessary form on affected tracks and will be hard to beat if he goes on from his last effort.
Ever consistent sprinter has to be given high respect under these conditions after returning from a two months break to win with authority over this course and distance on May 27 when he surged late on a soft track to beat Badajoz and The Monstar.
On that form he is going better than ever and his early odds are appealing given that he drops in weight of that win and boasts an excellent record on affected tracks.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 3 June (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Pick Me Up - Astute stable should find right race for this one during the winter.
Faraway Town - Good effort first-up. Well placed in winter class on best form.Walk The Streets - Ready to win over a longer trip.
Selita - Not disgraced behind smart winner. Going well.Invincible Express - Happy to overlook this effort.
Here To There - Forgive run after having no luck.Recent Blackbook winners - Malibu Style; Shillelagh; Je Suis Tycoon; Black On Gold; Taking Aim; Sweet Sherry; Jeanneau; Rhymes; Ana Royale; Rock Magic; Zourkhan; Order Again; Eckstein; Widgee Turf; I Am Excited; Payroll; Deploy; Royal Tudor.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 10 June
Randwick (Sat) - Mandalay Bay (R5), Walk The Streets (R5) and Painte (R9)
Doomben (Sat) - Sylpheed (R4), Billy The Kid (R5), River Racer (R5), Mandalay Bay (R7), Benzini (R9) and Neverland (R9)Flemington (Sat) - Miss Siska (R2)
Warwick Farm (Mon) - Our Beatnik (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.
