Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
In an open fillies and mares sprint this honest 4YO from the Gerald Ryan stable boasts an excellent profile for this company. She performed strongly in Group races last season and has missed a place just once in her nine starts with a perfect in the money record in six starts over 1200m.
She has not been seen since a luckless first-up third against the males at Randwick in September but indicated she was ready for this suitable affair with an excellent trial effort over 900m at Canterbury on November 13. Significantly she did not wear her race blinkers in the trial.
Godolphin bring this talented gelding back from an excellent Flemington placing over 2000m during Cup Week when he flew to the line late after striking trouble.
That was just his third start since resuming and was strong confirmation that he is back to the form that saw him G1 placed as a 3YO in the Victoria and SA Derbies. This is a cracking form race but he is well placed on his best form and will be hard to beat with expected progress from his latest effort.
Hard to miss the unlucky first-up third from this lightly-raced Godolphin mare over 1300m at this course on November 3. She was held up and had to change course at the 300m and rider then lost his whip, adding to her hard luck story.
Added fitness makes her hard to beat over this extra trip from a good draw, noting that she won second up over 1400m last prep.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 17 November (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
My Nordic Hero - Set for a good summer campaign.
Jorda - Positive signs of a return to form.Asterius - Certain to find suitable races over the summer.
Zizzis - Never got a fair go. Forgive run.Holy Snow - Ready for a middle distance.
I’ll Have A Bit - Will be well placed over 1200m.Recent Blackbook winners - Firsthand; Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche; Shillelagh; Newsfan; Royal Celebration; Verry Elleegant; Ranier; Street Tough; Savacool; Ringerdingding; Sesar; Tamasa; Diplomatico.
Rosehill (Sat) - Etymology (R4), New Universe (R5) and Montrachet (R6)
Ballarat (Sat) - Freehearted (R1), Kentucky Breeze (R6), Lamborghini (R6) and Platinum Angel (R9)Ascot (Sat) - Peaceful State (R8)
Goulburn (Sun) - Pelethronius (R7)Kilmore (Sun) - Lamborghini (R2) and Black On Gold (R8)
TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Rosehill (Sat) - Cardiff (R1), Tassort (R1), Spaceboy (R1), Slow Burn (R3), Demerara (R3), Problem Solver (R3), Sir Bacchus (R5), Our Belisa (R5), Smartedge (R5), Bye See (R5), Island Missile (R6) and Lisdoonvarna (R6)
Cardiff/Tassort (Canterbury 13 November) - Exciting prospects CARDIFF and TASSORT added to their reputations when they clashed in the fastest of the three juvenile heats (53.66; 34.20). CARDIFF had the superior speed to lead and kept running to score by 3.3 lengths while the Godolphin blueblood TASSORT, having won his first trial at Rosehill on November 2, was under restraint with no urgency from Tye Angland to chase down the leader over the last 400m. Take it that this reliable form.
Spaceboy (Warwick Farm 9 November) - Looks a typical fast running youngster after he opened up a big lead in first 300m, increasing his advantage the further they went to score by a soft six lengths, noting that his chasers were put under pressure and made little headway. He ran the time (47.37; 34.10) but bear in mind this was only 800m and to win races he has to sustain this speed over longer under more pressure. He’s a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling so we know where he’s heading.Tassort (Rosehill 2 November) - No doubt Godolphin will have aspirations for this stylish half-brother to G1 winners Astern and Alizee by Brazen Beau. Bold galloping action was evident as he travelled well within himself in the lead and was eager to go quicker over the last 300m when well clear of his rivals, running the quickest of the 2YO heats (54.20/35.00).
Cardiff (Warwick Farm 19 October) - Smart trial by this Snitzel colt. He did it well from the front in the quickest of all the 740m heats and was sharp running the quickest last 600m (43.06/32.80). Solid trial form.Gosford (Sat) - Czarson (R1), Light Exceed (R2), On The Top (R4) and Verve (R6)
Ballarat (Sat) - Not A Royal Doubt (R4)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.
