Guelph will make an overdue return to the winners circle at Randwick on Saturday with the filly a deserved favourite in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
The Peter Snowden-trained filly was narrowly defeated by Bound For Earth on resuming in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) but it was Guelph who produced the eye catcher of the duo.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Settled in the last pair, Guelph hooked deep turning for home before unleashing a very strong run and only just missed out on a first up success.
Guelph meets Bound For Earth, Shahad and Romantic Moon again second up where her impressive turn of foot will be showcased and used to much better effect over 1400m.
In fact the 1400m at Randwick was where Guelph recorded her current master figure when taking out the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes last autumn.
Guelph’s 119 master Timeform rating is nine pounds clear of the peak figure boasted by last start nemesis Bound For Earth and 18 pounds clear of nearest rival in betting, Arabian Gold.
Peter Snowden’s dual Group 1 winning filly is clearly the class runner of the six horse event yet black figure odds are still available about her in early betting.
That is largely due to the wrap on Arabian Gold with the David Vandyke-trained filly perhaps being over factored in the market.
In a small six horse field, Guelph even if fifth or sixth in running shouldn’t settle far off the early lead and will likely be looming large immediately upon straightening.
Expect her to further build upon some already strong second up, course and distance credentials in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
While the each way odds offered early in the week have disappeared, there is still value about Sizzling in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
Sizzling got to the line well last start in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) carrying a big weight on a Randwick track heavily favouring on pacers.
The Kelso Wood-trained entire was never going to be suited under set weight plus penalty conditions but a fortnight later has some key factors in his favour.
Sizzling returns to handicap conditions here and therefore meets main rivals out of the Tramway Stakes such as Bello and Malavio 2.5kg and 3kg better at the weights respectively.
He is also a key beneficiary of the compressed weights witnessed in the Bill Ritchie.
Those from Al Dhafra down sit outside of the handicap in a Group 3 race of questionable depth.
From being out eight metres a fortnight ago, the rail is back in the true position at Randwick this Saturday which should suit a run on horse such as Sizzling.
The son of Snitzel has a fantastic third up record and profiles as an excellent betting proposition in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
Randwick throws up a number of short priced favourites on Saturday with the most vulnerable perhaps I’m All The Talk.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Gary Portelli-trained sprinter resumed in cracking order with a bold fourth in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick a fortnight ago.
The on pace bias at the meeting has already been discussed with that perhaps flattering the Stratum colt.
I’m All The Talk’s latest display returned him a new master Timeform figure and certainly profiles as one of the leading chances in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).
Under the guidance of Brenton Avdulla, I’m All The Talk will bounce straight to the front from barrier 2 and take plenty of running down.
He is an out and out speed machine so rising to 1100m might not be ideal and with the likes of Va Pensiero, Whittington and Dothraki in the field, a hot speed should ensue.
Those two factors could prove telling over the final stages.
Many of his rivals are largely untapped but have shown glimpses of real promise at the very least.
He gives a majority of them weight and the race could be set up for a swooper to pounce in the dying moments.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
BANKER: R2, #1 Guelph @ $2.20
PLAY OF THE DAY: R6, #3 Sizzling @ $4.20
LAY OF THE DAY: R3, #2 I’m All The Talk @ $2.40
