Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Set to kick off what looms as a good day for Sydney’s premiership pair Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman.
Waller showed his hand by scratching this talented mare from the Warwick Farm meeting on Wednesday with good reason as she is a class above this opposition on the form she displayed last winter when she was beating the likes of Foxplay, Invincible Gem and Arbeitsam.
She’s come back with a win and a second in two strong form races and a trial win since her last start 28 days ago has ensured her fitness. The one to beat on her home track.
Quality mare debuts for her new stable first-up since last spring and has been well prepared off the back of some impressive trial efforts.
You have to respect a mare in this grade with G1 and G2 form around the likes of Global Glamour and Foxplay and the early speed in this field will set the race up nicely for her to have the last shot at them.
Steamed to the line under a big hold in her latest trial at Newcastle when she was ridden by Hugh Bowman and it’s a huge lead that he takes the mount here.
Lightly-raced French import was having only his third Australian start for Chris Waller when he overpowered his rivals for an easy win at Flemington on August 12 to remain unbeaten in his two starts over 2000m.
Makes a timely switch to Sydney as he looks capable of rising to something much better than this class and rates as the obvious first choice over several stablemates in this field with Hugh Bowman aboard.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 19 August (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Toga Picta - Encouraging return. Will get better as his distances increase.
Life Less Ordinary - Couldn’t ask for much more first-up from a horse wanting further.Foxplay - It took a phenomenal Winx to beat her. Says plenty about her spring prospects.
Imposing Lass - Certain to be a player in the good mares races.The Virginian - Excellent debut for new stable. Good sprinter.
He’s Our Rokkii - Can win a good spring handicap, especially if its wet.Brave Smash - One you want to be with right through the spring.
Recent Blackbook winners - Payroll; Deploy; Royal Tudor, Liapari; Hualalai; Lone Eagle; Leodoro; Pakaya Prince; Irish Constabulary; Pick Me Up; Another Bullseye; Suncraze; Fraternater; Kiwia. Chamois Road; Dracarys
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 26 August
Rosehill (Sat) - Mariquita (R2), Tango Rain (R3), Pariah (R7) and Selita (R9)
Moonee Valley (Sat) - Charlevoix (R1), Tulip (R3), Sin To Win (R4), Rebellious Lord (R4) and Oberland (R9)Gold Coast (Sat) - Denarius (R6)
Morphettville (Sat) - Victory Downs (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.
