Midweek racing at Randwick form and free tips, February 15
DUE to the postponement of the Apollo Stakes meeting on Saturday, Randwick will now host two meetings in three days with an eight-race card on Wednesday.
There are plenty of rising stars in action with the likes to Cocoexcel, Wilcannia and Drachenfels all lining up amongst some handy debutantes.
The day kicks off with the ATC Staff Recognition Day Handicap where eight of the nine runners are making their debuts for the leading Sydney stables.
Race 1 – ATC Staff Recognition Day Handicap (1000m)
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Soviet will likely carry plenty of betting support following a trial win earlier this month. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained colt scored a 1.5-length trial victory at Kembla Grange over the likes of Severence and Mallorca and it should produce the goods on debut. The son of Stratum is well-bred and we’re expecting punters to come for it in the betting.
Ten Carat is another well-regarded type which has race experience to its credit. The Anthony Cummings-trained colt was a $51 chance on debut in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington and although it finished last of 12 runners, having experience racing against the likes of Aspect and Cao Cao is worthy at midweek level. Hugh Bowman is an interesting inclusion which means the stable has confidence and punters should take notice.
Race 1 tip: Ten Carat to win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Chris Toogood Handicap (1200m)
Invader will carry plenty of betting support following its fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO last month. The Snowden-trained colt was paying each way odds in the juvenile feature, but it will likely be skinny in the market come Wednesday. Its form prior didn’t include any successes, but it finished second behind From Within at Canterbury and fourth behind Khan at Randwick. The son of Snitzel is bred to run quick times and it will get a great run from barrier two.
Milanese Girl was well-supported in the Widden Stakes last start, but it wasn’t able to show its best when finishing ninth. The Chris Waller-trained filly finished second behind Teaspoon at its start prior, which is good form, and the daughter of Snitzel will likely be ridden more positively this Wednesday. Jason Collett takes the ride from barrier one and it should give them something to catch with the light weight.
Race 2 tip: Invader to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Glen Miller Handicap (1200m)
Punters are wondering if Drachenfels will ever win a race, but its best chance is definitely at midweek level. The John O’Shea-trained gelding has placed in four from five starts, but it has been a short-priced favourite in many of those starts and bookmakers are loving it. We think it has a good winning chance against this field, but we suggest looking for odds around the $2.80 mark and no shorter.
Pirapala was scratched from racing last week due to the heavy track and it might have found an easier field here. The Gerald Ryan-trained filly has finished third in both career starts to date and it looked good when running second in a trial at Rosehill last month. The China Horse Club owns the daughter of Sepoy and it should give Drachenfels something to think about.
Race 3 tip: Drachenfels to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – John McGarr Handicap (1100m)
Cocoexcel is a talented filly for Chris Waller which has four trial wins and one race day win. The Exceed And Excel filly scored a one-length win on debut at Warwick Farm before disappointing in a five-horse field at Rosehill. It finished only a nose behind Suspenders last start and it has been prepared nicely with a recent trial win. Hugh Bowman sticks with it and it only needs a touch of luck from barrier nine.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott line up Wilcannia, which scored a narrow win on debut at Wyong. The Snitzel filly has since had two trials with the latest coming behind Daysee Doom at Randwick which is a great form race. The three-year-old has plenty of upside and punters know that it will likely head forward and give them something to catch. There is plenty of speed in behind it, so it’s vital that Joshua Parr slows them down in front and kicks strongly around the home turn.
Race 4 tip: Cocoexcel to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 5 – Wayne Toogood Handicap (1100m)
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Diddums has strong form coming into this and it wasn’t asked to do much in a recent trial. The Ryan-trained filly won on debut at Kembla Grange and again last time out at Warwick Farm by an easy 3.5 lengths. That win suggested that it has plenty of ability and putting multiple lengths on the likes of Sanaya and Infra Dig is form worth taking note of. Drawing barrier 10 won’t make it easy, but James Innes Jnr takes weight off its back which will help.
Gloriette scored an overdue win last start at Hawkesbury and it might kick on with it now. The O’Shea-trained filly had shown glimpses of form in the past which included a third placing behind Zamzam and Legless Veuve, but it wasn’t able to put it all together until last time out. The confidence should be there now with the three-year-old and it will only get better with more racing under its belt.
Race 5 tip: Diddums to win at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Mick Stanley Handicap (1600m)
Honeywine is a three-year-old gelding which has been competing in some tough races. The son of Street Cry has won since winning at Kembla Grange in September, but it has been taking on the likes of Veladero, Yankee Rose and Royal Navy. It finished a disappointing last at Rosehill on January 28, but this level is much easier and it will enjoy having had the run under its belt.
Zaunkonig is rarely far away from the mark and the Snowden-trained gelding looks a winning hope in this. The four-year-old by Northern Meteor won by 1.3 lengths at Canterbury last month and it wasn’t far behind the talented Liapari last start at Randwick. This is an easier race and it only rises slightly up in weight. The small field of only nine runners suits and it should be figuring in the finish.
Race 6 tip: Honeywine to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Greg Carmody Handicap (2000m)
Prescience took 17 starts to break maiden grades last start and punters rejoiced. The Waller-trained gelding scored a narrow win at Beaumont which isn’t fantastic form for this, but it has a fair amount of consistency and punters will likely support it nicely again. Brenton Avdulla takes the ride and it will enjoy the big drop in weight down to 54.5kg.
Stablemate Sizzling Bullet couldn’t have been more impressive when winning at Randwick last start. The three-year-old colt by Snitzel scored a powerful win over Harper’s Choice and that win suggested that it has plenty more in store. It looks a natural over the staying distances and Hugh Bowman remains in the saddle. It jumps from barrier seven which should suit perfectly.
Race 7 tip: Sizzling Bullet to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Gary Montgomery Handicap (1000m)
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Golden Organic is a last start winner for Anthony Cummings which should enjoy midweek racing. The three-year-old by Dalghar defeated a big field of 15 runners and its form prior came behind some slick types. It finished second behind Tango Rain and then fourth behind Thronum on a heavy track at Randwick. It should get every chance from barrier four and be tough to beat.
Glenall was heavily-backed on debut at $1.50 and it showed why. The Les Bridge-trained colt won by 3.3 lengths at Canterbury and it capped off an impressive 5.5-length win at the trials. It has since finished second at the trials and it should be well-backed again her second up. The son of Redoute’s Choice has been patiently handled and expect it to lead and give them something to catch.
Race 8 tip: Glenall to win at WilliamHill.com.au