Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick and Flemington meeting on October 3 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
FLEMINGTON October 3
RACE 3: (10) Fascino (EW)
RACE 5: (11) Miss Guggenheim (EW)
RACE 7: (12) Finche (EW)
RACE 8: (6) Perfect Jewel (EW)
RACE 9: Young Werther (EW)
RACE 1: 1-6-10-8
RACE 2: 8-2-7-9
RACE 3: 10-12-7-8
RACE 4: 4-6-8-2
RACE 5: 11-5-1-8
RACE 6: 5-4-2-15
RACE 7: 12-6-3-9
RACE 8: 6-3-5-2
RACE 9: 14-3-6-12
RANDWICK October 3
RACE 1: (5) Opacity
RACE 4: (1) Fierce Impact
RACE 7: (13) Rock (EW)
RACE 8: (18) Zebrowski (EW)
RACE 9: (4) Hilo
RACE 1: 5-2-4-9
RACE 2: 4-12-1-13
RACE 3: 6-4-12-
RACE 4: 1-2-3-6
RACE 5: 2-1-4-3
RACE 6: 2-1-8-7
RACE 7: 13-7-11-3
RACE 8: 18-8-2-9
RACE 9: 4-7-6-8
RANDWICK MULTI
RACE 1 (5) OPACITY: Won over this course and distance carrying 59kg in June and this looks a target race for this talented 4YO after two solid lead-up performances. He is set to repeat after closing best from the back half in a leader dominated race when third over the Randwick mile behind Discharged in this class two weeks ago. Sure to be fitter and he stays on the same weight which means he meets the winner 2kg better.
RACE 4 (1) FIERCE IMPACT: Returns to Sydney off a deserving G1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m at Flemington where he beat the spring boom horse Russian Camelot, a result that has been franked by the subsequent G1 win of the runner-up in the Underwood Stakes last weekend. This Japanese-bred son of Deep Impact is now the complete wfa performer, confirming that he is at the peak of his form with a super trial win over 1200m at this course on September 25. The last time he raced over 2000m at Randwick he won the 2018 Summer Cup and there is no question he is a better horse now.
RACE 9 (4) HILO: Good trials had him primed to win first-up over 1100m at Rosehill on September 12 and he was a tad stiff to just miss by a head when second to the classy mare Fituese. Rates highly in this company on his excellent form last season that saw him placed in three black type races up to 1400m in Sydney and Melbourne and he gets an important gear addition with winkers going on for the step up to this more suitable trip.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
Noted Trial Runners – September 25-27
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Fierce Impact (R4); Nature Strip (R6); Libertini (R6); Mister Sea Wolf (R7); Yulong Prince (R7); Vanna Girl (R7)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Excela Bella (R1); Kementari (R4)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Syncline (R7)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Nebula (R2); Media Man (R5); Deel With Me (R5); Keiai Tsubaki (R6); Pride Of Adelaide (R7)
CANTERBURY MONDAY: Deference (R6); The Bopper (R6); Misteed (R7); Kaakit Akit (R8); Marboosha (R8); Written Beauty (R8)
MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Victorella (R2)
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL September 28: NATURE STRIP passed his test before stewards in his 900m heat. This time he jumped OK but James McDonald reported he then stumbled and lost a length or two. As a result he settled in the back half and from there was given a very quiet ride, making no attempt to challenge the leaders before closing strongly in the last 50 metres for an impressive sixth only 1.8 lengths from the winner KAAKIT AKIT in the fastest of the eight heats over 900m (53.36; 34.24).
RANDWICK September 25: Trials over 1200m are normally pedestrian affairs but not when you have a class act like FIERCE IMPACT having a serious hitout off a Group One win at Flemington. Put simply, he's flying! Out the back and ridden quietly for the first 600m, he went through his gears like a horse at the top of his form as he sprinted fast from the turn to record an impressive 4.3 lengths win with Jason Collett swinging against him. The time was good (61.81) but the last 600m (33.63) was excellent, up there with the splits the speedy jump and run types were recording in the shorter heats.
RANDWICK September 21: The first heat for older horses provided the sensation of the morning when crack sprinter NATURE STRIP dumped his rider James McDonald when he reared high as the gates opened. He then took off riderless and skirted the outside rail at a full gallop to lead the other three runners before he was corralled past the post by his handlers. He was reportedly unscathed but it's the first known time NATURE STRIP has behaved in this manner and brought a quick ruling from stewards that he must trial again before his next start.
ROSEHILL September 15: KEIAI TSUBAKI, a 5YO mare with two provincial wins last year, led for a strong winner in the first of the four 1030m heats (63.41; 35.02) beating the classy Group winner Dawn Passage.
NEWCASTLE August 26: THE BOPPER made a big impression winning his first two country starts in April and May and his easy 800m heat win (47.24; 32.95) indicates he can rise quickly through the classes. Has confirmed his potential with equally impressive efforts in his subsequent trials, the most recent at Newcastle on September 23.
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Ocean Emperor; Nyami; Coruscate; Wild Ruler; No Impediment; Amicus Curiae; Zanzidance; Yulong Code; Chat; Kirwan's Lane; Ushindi; Zorocat; Classique Legend.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – October 2-3
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Cinquedea (R1); New King (R1); Betcha Flying (R1); Avilius (R4); Think It Over (R4); Hungry Heart (R5); Montefilia (R5); Star Of The Seas (R7); Imaging (R7); Looks Like Elvis (R7; Brimham Rocks (R8); Rondinella (R8); Angel Of Truth (R8); Girl Tuesday (R8); Zebrowski (R8)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Legionnaire (R3); The Inevitable (R4); Steel Prince (R6); Game Keeper (R6); South Pacific (R6); Surprise Baby (R7); Finche (R7); Master Of Wine (R7); Django Freeman (R7); Superstorm (R7); Pretty Brazen (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Impasse (R8)
MURTOA SATURDAY: Savvy Lad (R7)
CANTERBURY MONDAY: Harto (R8)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Ole Kirk; Entente; Rich Hips; Russian Camelot; Ballistic Lover; Orderofthegarter; Probabeel; Rock; Crystal Chief; Savacool; Behemoth; Taikomochi.
Blackbookers – Selected September 26
(Follow for next 3 starts)
POSITIVE PEACE: Ready for a suitable mares race.
BOTTEGA: Can be difficult but he's in the right form.
SHE'S IDEEL: Nice trial for something longer. Expect a more aggressive ride next time.
KING'S LEGACY: Could be the best miler in the Sydney age group.
CLEAN ACHEEVA: Watch for her over longer trips.
CAMBOURNE: Liked his work late. Should keep improving.
