Chipping Norton Stakes free tips and form, Saturday February 25
WINX is searching for 15 consecutive wins this Saturday in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes and it would take a brave punter to back against it.
The Chris Waller-trained champion mare faces a field of nine rivals in the $600,000 feature at Randwick, but only Hartnell is expected to test the five-year-old.
The Chipping Norton isn’t the only high-profile race on the card as the Surround Stakes, Guy Walter Plate, Sweet Embrace and the Skyline Stakes all run at group two level.
Race 1 – Auckland Racing Club Trophy (2000m)
Montauk has won two of its last three starts and it produced a big finish to score last start. The Waller-trained gelding is in career best form and with three wins on this track, it looks one of the main winning chances at odds of $3.20.
Most Exalted was scratched from an easier midweek race for this which is a good sign. The James Cummings-trained runner didn’t handle the wet track last start so forgive that effort and consider here. It drops right down in weight to 51kg and the $5 looks inviting.
Hogmanay is a fit runner which is running every two weeks this preparation. The Waller-trained runner has yet to win in five starts at Randwick, but it has been close up of late and having Hugh Bowman in the saddle is a big bonus. $4.20 on offer.
Race 1 tip: Most Exalted to win ($5) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Tab Highway Handicap C3 (1600m)
Ruthless Agent is a winner of three from five starts and it should find this easier than recent assignments. The Kurt Goldman-trained gelding gets the inside draw here and a significant jockey change with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. $5.50 is a handy value price.
Mister Marmalade scored an easy 3.3-length win at Scone last start and the extra distance will suit here. The Greg Bennett-trained gelding has drawn wide in barrier 12 which isn’t ideal, but Tommy Berry rides and the $5.50 is a solid price from bookmakers.
Dreadlock is a consistent type which has won two from 11 with seven placings. The four-year-old went close last time out and getting Hugh Bowman in the saddle is a bonus. It’s another each way chance at $5.50.
Race 2 tip: Ruthless Agent to win ($5.50) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 3 – Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m)
Teaspoon has looked the goods in remaining unbeaten from two starts. The Michael Freedman-trained filly scored a narrow win on debut before fighting back to win the Widden Stakes last start. That was a game win and it should be respected again at odds of $5.
Songlike is on debut for Bjorn Baker and it opened at $5.50 in the betting. The daughter of Your Song won a trial earlier this month in impressive fashion and the tote support suggests that a solid run on debut should be expected.
Exceeds was a stylish winner second up at Randwick and it wasn’t disgraced when second behind Veranillo last start. The Cummings-trained filly didn’t have the best of runs in the Lonhro Stakes and still managed to flash home late. The wide draw shouldn’t worry it so consider at $5.
Race 3 tip: Teaspoon to win (+400) at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Schweppes Skyline Stakes (1200m)
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1129948_04]
Dracarys relished the heavy track conditions at Warwick Farm and it looked to have plenty in store. The Snowden-trained colt defeated the talented Brook Magic by 1.3 lengths and the switch to a dry track shouldn’t worry it. Punters will be hoping it has recovered from that tough effort at odds of $6.50.
Menari was a tragedy beaten last time out and punters are hoping to get their money back. The Gerald Ryan-trained colt was a 1.8-length winner on debut before getting no luck behind Pariah in the Canonbury Stakes. Pariah is a great chance of winning the Blue Diamond Stakes and from the inside draw the $2.10 on offer looks a great bet.
Eden Roc has placed twice from two starts with both coming behind nice types. The Hawkes-trained colt ran second behind Exceeds on debut before running third behind Veranillo in the Lonhro Stakes. Both runs came on this track and it looks a place chance again.
Race 4 tip: Menari to win ($2.10) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Liverpool City Cup (1300m)
McCreery is a five-time winner which finished second in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes behind Le Romain. The Waller-trained gelding has a great fresh up record and although this distance is short of its best, it has been well-backed at $5 to win.
Big Money has improved with every run this campaign and a win doesn’t look far away. The Rodney Northam-trained gelding finished second behind Le Romain in the Southern Cross Stakes and it should be considered here at each way odds of $6.
Chetwood has the most potential of any runner in this field and it can bounce back after running sixth in the Australia Stakes. The O’Shea-trained gelding is unbeaten in three starts at this distance and it was able to defeat Le Romain by 1.5 lengths at Newcastle. That’s strong form for this and it will be able to dictate play from an inside barrier.
Race 5 tip: Chetwood to win ($2.30) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Surround Stakes (1400m)
Foxplay was impressive when running second at Randwick last start and it’s not without a chance here. The Waller-trained filly has won two from three starts second up and twice on this course. It will likely settle back from the wide draw and it’s not the worst bet at $4.80.
Omei Sword is the second favourite at $3.80 and it will have to put some injury concerns behind it. The three-year-old by High Chaparral was unlucky in the Golden Rose behind Astern which followed a 3.3-length win in the Silver Shadow. The lack of recent racing is a concern, but it has a tremendous amount of ability.
Global Glamour couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Light Finger Stakes last start and it has drawn to receive a good run. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained filly is twice a winner at Randwick and it has two group one wins beside its name. That must be respected and bookmakers are keeping it short at $2.70.
Race 6 tip: Global Glamour to win (+170) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 7 – Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m)
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1129948_07]
Winx is the star of the show at Randwick on Saturday and we can’t see it getting beaten. The Waller-trained champion mare is searching for 15-straight wins and it has drawn ideally in barrier four to launch its assault on the field which is lacking depth. There is only one rival that can run well at this distance (Hartnell) which leaves Winx lengths better than the rest.
Hartnell is a classy runner which continues to run into Winx. The O’Shea-trained former import finished second in the Cox Plate, third in the Melbourne Cup and second again behind Winx in the Apollo Stakes last start. There’s not much more it can do to turn the tables on Winx and bookmakers aren’t risking its place chances at $1.16. It will likely run another placing behind the great mare.
Endless Drama is suited more to the longer distances, but it ran very well behind Winx and Hartnell in the Apollo Stakes. The Waller-trained import has placed second up and it can handle all track conditions. The place odds of $1.40 aren’t astronomical, but punters will be looking for juicy odds in a race lacking value.
Race 7 tip: Winx to win ($1.12) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Guy Walter Stakes (1600m)
First Seal is a quality mare which makes a fresh start here. The John Thompson-trained five-year-old won a trial on February 20th and it has a solid fresh up record. It’s weighted beautifully at 57kg from barrier four and punters are getting a good price at $4.60.
Dixie Blossoms finished off well behind Zestful in the Triscay Stakes last start and it has attracted plenty of betting support. The Ron Quinton-trained mare has yet to finish outside the placings in three starts at Randwick and it drops right down in weight to 55kg. $3.50 is a touch short for a horse which hasn’t won on the big stage, but punters are confident.
Danish Twist produced an eye-catching run for fourth last start in the Breeders Classic. The Kris Lees-trained mare goes much better second up and it has four wins at this distance to its name. The wide draw won’t be an issue as it drops back and it should run home nicely.
Race 8 tip: First Seal to place (-142.86) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Byron Thomas Recruitment R85 Handicap (1200m)
Quatronic is a winner of five from eight starts and is unbeaten in two second up starts. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding scored an easy 2.3-length victory at Eagle Farm last start and although most of its form has come in the lower grades, this is a winnable race and its odds of $5 is good value.
Your Way has firmed in from $4.20 to $4 after winning by 1.8 lengths at Randwick last start. The Baker-trained mare has won six from eight starts including five from six at this distance and the weight of 54.5kg is a big bonus for this. It has plenty of ability and should be considered for the win.
Machinegun Jubs scored a handy win last time out and it has a good turn-of-foot. The Angela Davies-trained mare has won five from 10 starts, including two at this distance and it will enjoy carrying only 53kg in this. Its opening price of $3.80 has drifted slightly to $4.
Race 9 tip: Your Way to win ($4) at Ladbrokes.com.au