Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Godolphin have given this young sprinter all but two of his seven starts interstate with his only win coming in a maiden at Wyong in March when he beat a subsequent stakes winner.
He followed with luckless placings in Melbourne and Adelaide before a break and was again a victim when a resuming fourth under 59.5kg at Moonee Valley on August 4 when he was blocked and lost his momentum over the last 200m.
James Cummings has developed a great knack of placing his promising restricted horses in winnable races and he looks to have a made another wise choice with this colt as he tumbles 6.5kg to the limit weight and comes up with a draw that will give him every chance against his older rivals.
Godolphin import was smashed into odds-on when betting opened, the support a reflection of the impact he made in his first Australian start when he proved a class above his restricted opposition over 1600m at Randwick on August 4.
His exceptional last 200m points to him being perfectly suited stepping up 1900m with the class rise presenting no issues considering he is a Listed winner and was G2 placed in France over 2000m behind the likes of G1 stars Cracksman and Eminent. With that quality form behind him he sneaks into this attractively weighted on the limit.
Speaks volumes that the Hawkes stable will allow James McDonald to ride this smart 4YO 1kg overweight in his return from a spell.
He has recorded two of his three wins when first-up and is set to add that record after a soft barrier trial win at Hawkesbury on August 4.
This is a cracking Benchmark 91 event but happy to make him a confident each-way play as he’s a Rosehill winner on a soft track and is likely to get similar conditions as the forecast points to rain having an impact on this meeting.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 18 August (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
D’Argento - Big spring player.
Oohood - Her turn is coming. Stay with her.Best Of Days - Could be a spring star.
I Am Coldplay - Nice Sydney debut. Certain improver.Long Leaf - Looking for longer.
Kings Will Dream - Ideal opener to his big program.Jake’s Hill - Out of luck first-up. Better ahead.
Recent Blackbook winners - Island Missile; Curragh; Tactical Advantage; Eight Below. Mother To Race Her; Mantastic; Mister Sea Wolf; Paret; Raqeeq; Snitzepeg; Spin; You’ve Been Had; Call Me Handsome; Order Again; Aristocratic Miss; The Passage; Le Romain.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 25 August
Rosehill (Sat) - All Too Soon (R1), Valentino Rossa (R2), Ringerdingding (R5), Emperor’s Way (R7), Salsonic (R7), Miss Que (R8), Eagle Bay (R9) and Travancore (R9)
Moonee Valley (Sat) - Data Point (R2), Istria (R5) and Night’s Watch (R9)Cranbourne (Sun) - Sizzleme (R4), Urban Ruler (R9) and Haripour (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.
