Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts

R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.

SELECTIONS

Rosehill Race 5 - 8 Idance

Well placed to repeat his last start win over 1300m at Randwick that added to his very strong record in this distance range.

The form out of that race has been franked by last Saturday’s winner Foreign Prince and looking for further improvement off that effort as it was just his third run since resuming. Rates well carrying less weight to counter a slight rise in class.

Tragedy beaten first-up over 1000m at Randwick on July 11 when rider took wrong options at a vital time that saw him never get a clear run and finish an unextended fourth. It was only his second loss in six starts and confirmed that he is one of Canberra’s most promising sprinters.

All is in order for him to make amends as he gets Blake Shinn, his rider when he recorded a soft win over this course before a spell, back in the saddle.

Rosehill Race 8 - 6 Scratch Me Lucky

Hard to miss his eye catching last start fourth over 1350m at this course on July 18 when he bombed the start by a conservative four lengths but finished better than any other runner to be beaten only two lengths in testing heavy ground.

That was a strong indicator that he is close to regaining his classy juvenile form and expect to see him respond well to a significant riding switch from an apprentice to senior rider Kerrin McEvoy.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 25 July (Canterbury & Caulfield)

Audino - Sound first-up effort. Suited up to 1600m.

Northern Fury - Should have been in the finish. Talented filly.

Testashadow - Plenty of merit in his strong return under big weight.

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 1 August

Rosehill - Coolring (R5), Fine Bubbles (R5), Disclaimer (R6), Fell Swoop (R7) and Scratch Me Lucky (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.