By Tom Hackett
Race 1
A very open race to start an excellent day at Royal Randwick. You can make a case for just about every horse in this field and it is no surprise that none of the eight horses are priced at more than $13. Chris Waller has a strong hand and he should be able to come away with the victory, but separating the four of his runners is easier said than done. Savvy Nature returns to Australian racing for the first time since 2014 after a stint in Hong Kong.
Class: Winx runs third in a barrier trial at Rosehill last month and will be looking for 14 in a row at Randwick on Saturday.Credit: Ben Rushton
Race 2
The Highway Handicap races have been strong in recent weeks, but it is fair to say that this is something of a drop in quality. Matthew Dunn has dominated these races recently and he has the favourite in the form of Medieval. The Authorised gelding has just two wins from 13 starts and is untested at this distance, but he must be respected. No horse brings particularly strong form into this race, but Mar Nero did win over 2000 metres at Mudgee last start.
Race 3
Admiral Jello is a consistent racehorse and he is set to start as clear favourite. He relished the step-up to 2400 metres to get the job done last start and will be very tough to beat. Burning Energy is not the most consistent galloper, but he is capable of a high-rating performance on his day and he did beat Admiral Jello a few starts back. The early money is no surprise. Embley beat Montauk last start and he came out and won at Royal Randwick last weekend.
Race 4
Sweet Deal was narrowly beaten by Teaspoon in the Widden Stakes on debut and that looks fairly strong form for what is a restricted race. She has drawn towards the outside of this field, but did show good speed on debut and it would not surprise to see her take up the running. Frolic finished a close second on debut at Newcastle and she chased home the talent Marsupial at Canterbury last start. Ultramarine is a better horse than his debut effort suggests and it would not surprise if he produced a much improved effort in his second race start.
Race 5
Impending has opened as a very short-priced favourite in Southern Cross Stakes betting markets. He is talented but has just two wins to his name and seems rock-bottom odds in what is a fairly strong race. Defcon has been inconsistent during his career to date, but he is capable of brilliance on his day. Le Romain is the class horse in this field and he stamped himself as a genuine group 1 galloper with his win in the Cantala Stakes. He will take benefit from this run and has a big weight on his back, but he is still capable of being in the finish.
Race 6
The great mare is back. Winx will start her autumn campaign in the Apollo Stakes and the market has stopped taking any chances with the two-time group 1 winner. She has proved time and time again that she is capable of winning any race under any conditions and it would take a much braver man than me to tip against her. It will be interesting to see what Hartnell can produce this preparation. It can't be understated just how well he was going before Winx broke his heart in the Cox Plate. He can't win this weekend, but Endless Drama could be in for a big preparation. His recent barrier trials have been excellent and his form in Europe was at a genuine group 1 standard.
Race 7
The Spring Stakes has been moved from the spring in Newcastle to the autumn in Sydney. Sezanne and Invincible Gem look to have a clear edge over the rest of this field. Sezanne had excuses when she failed to fire last start and she had form around Global Glamour and Yankee Rose in the spring. Invincible Gem has improved each time she has been seen at the races this preparation and there is no reason why she can't go on with the job. Royal Navy is a progressive horse that should only get better as he gets further into his racing career.
Fitness edge: Global Glamour wins the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Credit: Getty Images
Race 8
This is an excellent edition of the Light Fingers Stakes. Global Glamour has the fitness edge over the majority of her rivals and should be very tough to beat. She was only narrowly denied after making all the early running in the Magic Millions Guineas and it was third-up that she peaked last preparation. Spright was nothing short of outstanding during the spring and she could develop into anything this preparation. She will improve from the run, but must be respected. Foxplay is in the same boat, while it was impossible not to be taken by the recent barrier trial of Honesty Prevails.
Race 9
Ameristralia has also been included in the nominations for the Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield and that is where she is expected to run. Dixie Blossoms is a talented mare and is worthy of favouritism, but the wide barrier draw is some concern. The Queen of the Turf Stakes is her target and connections are unlikely to want a gut-buster first-up. Pearls has been an inconsistent horse throughout her career, but she does fly fresh and she beat Dixie Blossoms in the Toy Show Quality first-up in the spring. Yattarna has not been seen at the races since April, but it would not surprise if she produced a big effort fresh.
Race 10
This is a tough way to finish the day for punters. The market has zeroed in on Hanwritten after he made it five wins from 10 starts with his victory on Australia Day. Matthew Dunn has an excellent strike-rate in Sydney and the booking of Hugh Bowman is a positive lead. Dupe'em is a horse that could surprise at a very big price. He has not been seen at the races for over a year, but he is capable of a high-rating performance on his day and Chris Waller has given him four barrier trials to have him up to the mark for his racing return.
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