Chris Scholtz - Early Thoughts
R&S Contributing Editor Chris Scholtz takes a look at tomorrow’s Sydney racing.
SELECTIONS
Scratchings ensure he will be short odds but he looks the perfect anchor for multi bets after his impressive debut win over 1200m at this course on Anzac Day when he beat subsequent winner Discharged in above par time.
He’s following the same path Chris Waller took with The Autumn Sun to the G1 JJ Atkins and that says plenty about the opinion the stable hold of this Snitzel colt. He went super finishing second in his subsequent Rosehill trial and should have too much class for his rivals.
Randwick Race 4 - 11 Master Of Wine
German-bred import will be having just his third start in Australia is well placed to break through after two strong placings over 1400m and 1800m in Melbourne.
Won and placed up to 2000m in the UK and looks set to go on with it from his last start at Sandown where he fought gamely for second after a tough run. Must be fitter for that effort.
Has really responded since blinkers were applied two starts back, finishing second in a strong form race at Caulfield before returning to Sydney to beat the subsequent winner Star Of The Seas easily over 1400m on the Kensington track three weeks ago.
Love the turn of foot he is displaying in his races now that he’s put past issues behind him and remains well weighted in this class with a drop of at least 1.5kg off his last win that may be more depending on how much apprentice Jean Van Overmeire can claim of his 2kg allowance as his declared minimum riding weight is 53.5kg.
BLACKBOOK UPDATE from 18 May (Horses to follow at their next three starts)
Keen Array - Working towards a suitable carnival race.
Chapter And Verse - No doubt Eagle Farm is his track.Niccanova - Another needing longer on a big track.
Black On Gold - Good signs from strong stayer. At his best on good tracks.Asterius - Sure to improve as his distances increase.
Savacool - Will take plenty of benefit from solid first-up effort.Recent Blackbook winners - Tyzone; Clearly; Viridine; William Thomas; Wild Planet; Sasko; Autocratic; Life Less Ordinary; Abdon; Declarationofheart; Libertini; Graceful Storm.
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS for 25 May
Eagle Farm (Sat) - Salsonic (R5), Fit For Purpose (R5), Articus (R5), Strasbourg (R6), Victorem (R8) and Chapter And Verse (R8)
Randwick (Sat) - Carif (R3), Raqeeq (R4), Montrachet (R6) and Organza (R7)Flemington (Sat) - Zizzis (R5), Stealthy Lucas (R6), Bel Sonic (R7) and Really Swish (R9)
TRIAL WATCH HORSES
Randwick (Sat) - Reloaded (R1), Sea Of Life (R1), Quackerjack (R5), Paulita (R5), I Thought So (R8), Cradle Mountain (R8), Boss Lane (R8), Tonsor (R8) and Deprive (R8)
Reloaded (Rosehill 13 May) - This impressive Randwick debut winner on Anzac Day looks a real prospect as he oozed class sitting quietly four lengths off the speed in his 897m heat before zooming to the line in the last 80 metres when given the slightest squeeze for a close second over 897m. Ready to go on with it when next produced.
I Thought So (Rosehill 13 May) - Peter and Paul Snowden have given him a measured an patient prep for his return to racing. This was another impressive trial, winning his 1030m heat in the fastest of the four over the trip (1.02.41; 35.00), He had plenty in hand beating the classy HOME OF THE BRAVE.
Randwick 26 April - CRADLE MOUNTAIN and I THOUGHT SO really took the eye with their efforts in the fastest of the 742m heats (43.60; 33.10). CRADLE MOUNTAIN led easily and was always in control with his response in the last 100m electric. This was his second trial in preparation for his return to racing and points to another successful campaign. I THOUGHT SO was set to race in the spring after a big trial but an obvious hiccup kept him off the scene until his return in this heat. He was given the kindest of rides tracking the leaders and went to the line under a throttle hold in third. This is trial form that can be followed with confidence.
Eagle Farm (Sat) - Encryption (R8), Home Of The Brave (R8), I Am Excited (R8), Prompt Response (R8), Irithea (R8) and Ringerdingding (R8)
Warwick Farm 17 May - Class acts I AM EXCITED and ENCRYPTION look in great shape for the Brisbane carnival. I AM EXCITED was back home for this tick over trial after her brilliant win at Doomben and will go back ready to perform at her best again after another sharp trial win over 804m (47.99; 33.70) when she let down with her trademark fast sprint. ENCRYPTION showed he had freshened up beautifully since the Randwick carnival, working through the line in great style for an impressive second in his 802m heat (47.14; 33.50).
Gosford (Sat) - Blazing (R2), Oslo (R2), Catwalk (R5), Gallant Run (R5), Mini Boom (R5), Fight For Love (R6), Kiss And Tell (R6) and Roman Wolf (R7)
Nowra (Sun) - Savvy Ken (R7) and Fight For Love (R8)
Recent Trial Watch winners - Grey Lion; Aim For Perfection; Positive Peace; Exceedance; North; River Bird; Con Te Partiri; Ready To Prophet; England; Gododdin; California Zimbol; Constellations; Demerara; Life Less Ordinary; I’m A Legend; Intuition.
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.
