Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Always reluctant to fall into the hype about first starters but this youngster could be one right out of the box.
He’s a $700,000 Redoute’s Choice colt with the dam a half to the dual G1 winner Melito, is trained by the Snowdens and has the look of a colt ready to burst on the scene after a 900m trial win at Rosehill on January 17 that oozed class.
It’s a hot little field but confident he can measure up.
Rosehill Race 4 - 11 Madame De Ban
Yet another Matt Dunn-trained performer set to add to his stable's great strike rate in Sydney over the last three months, especially in these Highway races.
Excellent effort over this trip under similar conditions last time and while she has had a 35 day break you can rely on the Dunn stable to have her ready to perform at her optimum.
Ran up to expectations at his first start as a gelding when he resumed to beat Top Striker narrowly over this trip at Randwick on January 14, adding to the excellent record he has built in this distance range.
Can only be fitter, he’s just 1kg worse off against Top Striker and the rails draw must be an asset for him to give him the sit in a race stacked with speed.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 21 January (Randwick & Moonee Valley)
Imanui - Ready to win in his right class
Shiraz - Has needed racing. Back on his game.Roaring To Win - Has talent. Should take plenty from this first-up run.
Presscott - Hard to beat in this class if he hold this form.Manolo Blahniq - Worked home strongly in a nice first-up effort.
Board Director - One for the restricted grades in Brisbane.Lanciato - Should be winning this preparation.
Recent Blackbook winners - Artistry; Circular; Malaguerra; Morton’s Fork; Too Good To Refuse; Loyalty Man; Redoutable Heart; High Church; Oak Door; Most Exalted; Imposing Lass; Invienna; Deep Image; Wheal Leisure.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 28 January
Rosehill (Sat) - Echo Effect (R5) and Awoke (R5)
Flemington (Sat) - Master Of Arts (R5), Shockaholic (R8) and Hipparchus (R9)Sunshine Coast - Sold For Song (R7), Glendara (R7) and Old Habits (R7)
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.
