Kembla Grange racing tips & quaddie picks | Saturday, August 28
| What | Kembla Grange Races |
| Where | Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 |
| When | Saturday, August 28, 2021 |
| First Race | 11:30am AEST |
| Watch Live | |
HorseBetting’s NSW racing analyst brings you the top picks for all three Group 3 races at Kembla Grange this Saturday, as well as his best bets and quaddie numbers for the rest of the 10-race program. The track has been upgraded from a Heavy 9 to a Soft 7, and there is some hope that conditions could improve further by the time we get underway at 11:30am AEST on raceday. The rail is out 4m from the 1100m to the winning post and then 2m for the remainder of the course.
Ming Dynasty Quality: Arnaqueur
Jean Dubois’ Arnaqueur is one horse who we have been waiting to see again after a terrific first-up win at this track and trip on August 1, albeit in Class 1 company. The son of Astern won here on debut as a two-year-old over 1300m, before going to the Listed Fernhill Stakes at Randwick and running fourth to subsequent JJ Atkins winner Converge, and then had no luck in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes on April 21 when seventh, prior to a spell. The now three-year-old colt left himself with plenty to do first-up but really knuckled down to the task late for regular rider Jean Van Overmeire. From barrier four, Arnaqueur should get a good cart into the race off a good tempo and will take some serious beating again at a track that he is unbeaten at.
San Domenico Stakes: Paulele
After the scratching of New Zealand galloper Sword Of State, we are siding with the impressive first-up winner Paulele to do it again. Despite not having the record of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, this Godolphin colt could not have won anymore convincingly last start at Randwick when he beat home the unlucky In The Congo and Remarque by 2.5 lengths. The James Cummings-trained son of Dawn Approach carried 59kg that day but drops down to 57kg in this Group 3 assignment. James McDonald retains the ride, and from barrier five he should get a lovely run into the race and take some beating again. The 1100m is Paulele’s go, and the improving track will only aid his chances.
Premier’s Cup: Luncies
Kris Lees and Jason Collett combine in the Premier’s Cup with European import Luncies. The son of Iffraaj has been in the winner’s circle on five occasions in his nine-start career, with one of those coming second-up last campaign at Hawkesbury over 1800m in track-record time. The grey gelding resumed in the Coffs Harbour Cup and worked home well into fourth, which was a touch disappointing on face value given he was a heavily backed commodity, but there was plenty of merit in the run. The 1600m first-up was not really his go, so getting out to 2000m will be a big assistance in his bid to remain unbeaten when second-up. He is likely to get back from barrier nine again, but there is plenty of speed in the race to set it up for him to run home strongly. Luncies drops 4.5kg to the 54kg on Saturday, which is another huge advantage. Each way all day.
Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Royalzel
Royalzel is looking to win his third straight race in Saturday’s Midway over 1300m. The Gary Portelli-trained three-year-old colt broke his maiden at this track and distance on a Heavy 8 back in May, and then romped in two starts later again on a Heavy 8, before going to Flemington to win by three lengths again over 1600m in Listed company. The son of Snitzel has had almost two months between runs and was given a trial just last week to tick him over. After bungling the start in that trial behind Eduardo, Royalzel worked home very convincingly to run fourth in the field of six, beaten less than five lengths under light riding. This is a big drop in class, while he has drawn ideally in barrier three and gets James McDonald in the saddle again. He should justify the favouritism in this.
Next Best at Kembla Grange: Kingsheir
As has been the case for what feels like the last decade, the final race of the day is yet again another wide-open affair, but we were pretty impressed by the way Kingsheir resumed on August 7 at Randwick. The Hawkes-trained five-year-old was just over 10 months between runs and racing at an unsuitable 1300m trip, but he scraped the paint to win bullishly by 1.8 lengths. The son of Kingman now rises to 1500m, which is going to be even more up his alley, and he has again drawn perfectly in barrier three. Jay Ford replaces the injured Brenton Avdulla, which is no disadvantage, and while he does rise 3kg in weight to 58kg, he strikes an arguably easier race with Yiyi and Toomuchtobear the dangers. Kingsheir holds nominations for most of the spring feature races, so connections would be looking for a strong run this weekend.
Saturday quaddie tips for Kembla Grange
| Kembla Grange quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 1-8-9-10-12-13 |
| Leg 2: | 2-3-8 |
| Leg 3: | 2-4-6-14 |
| Leg 4: | 8-13-17 |
| Investment: | $216 for 100% |