Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Confident this quality filly will be a big player in the Golden Slipper given the merit of her two lead-up performances at Caulfield and Randwick.
She was a certainty beaten behind Enbihaar and Oohood in a Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) before overcoming a horror run four and five wide to beat Fiesta in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick three weeks ago when the soft ground presented no issues and running faster time than the colts in the Skyline Stakes.
Strong finisher looks made for a hard run Golden Slipper in testing conditions.
High class 3YO will give his older rivals a lot to worry about after his excellent first-up fourth behind Redzel in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick when he did his best work late.
He was carrying 56kg under the WFA conditions and will meet his rivals from that race up to 4kg better with the big drop in weight to 50kg under the favourable handicap conditions.
Unbeaten in two starts at this course and a winner of his only start on affected ground adds to his claims.
Lightly-raced mare has been has been in excellent form with a soft first-up win followed by two luckless placings at Canterbury and Randwick when wide runs cost her victory both times.
She was beaten a nose by Sugar Bella last time over 1200m at Randwick when her rider weighed in overweight, adding to the merit of that performance.
Meets Sugar Bella 2kg better and this time her wide draw may work in her favour late in the day if the affected tracks plays as expected as she has already shown a liking for soft ground.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 17 March (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Top Of The Range - Stewards report said it all. Should have won.
Wyndspelle - Ready to win in more suitable company.Spin - Quality youngster. Looking for 1400m.
Tribal Wisdom - There’s a race for him in Sydney.Hiyaam - Certain to benefit from an excellent first-up effort.
Hopes Eternal - Set a big task under difficult conditions.Man Of His Word - Well placed in Brisbane up to 1600m.
Recent Blackbook winners - Kementari; Outrageous; Endless Drama; El Rada; Kopi Luwak; Overshare; More Energy; Lofty’s Menu; Reach For Heaven; Niccanova; Assimilate; Encryption; Our Mantra.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 24 March
Moonee Valley (Fri) - Palazzo Vecchia (R5)
Rosehill (Sat) - Perast (R1), Acqume (R1), Consommateur (R2), Nettoyer (R2), Alward (R3), Ventura Storm (R4), Invincible Gem (R5), D’Argento (R6), Main Stage (R6), Spin (R7), Viridine (R8) and Insensata (R9)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.
