Chris Scholtz previews the Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting at Randwick on April 13 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RANDWICK April 13
RACE 3 (2) STRAIT ACER: A proven G1 performer in a provincial Midway final? This Rupert Clarke Stakes placegetter over this trip last spring is eligible because he is trained at Hawkesbury by Edward Cummings and earned his place in the final with a charging second under 59kg in the Wyong heat over 1350m where the tight turning track cost him a win. Back to the big stretches at Randwick where he's a two time winner and up to his best distance (5-2-2) says you won't find many horses better placed in this field. Did I mention he's down 1.5kg and gets Jason Collett, his rider in three previous wins, back in the saddle!
RACE 4 (5) ENEEZA: The Golden Slipper form held up well in the Sires Produce last Saturday and you can expect more of the same here. This filly finished seventh in the Slipper but it was a standout effort to be only 2.7 lengths from the winner Lady Of Camelot after covering the most ground from her wide barrier. She reeled of the quickest 400m-200m split of the race before peaking on her run and I expect her to close the gap on LOC as the barriers are flipped with an inside draw this time allowing Damian Lane to camp on the back of the speed.
RACE 8 (8) VIA SISTINA: Her international G1 form told us she was top class and she duly delivered with an impressive Australian debut in the G1 Ranvet over 2000m at Rosehill, overcoming a dawdling tempo to sprint home from last in the fastest 600m sectional of the day in a time rarely matched over a middle distance. She's hard to oppose when you factor in her expected improvement under the training of Chris Waller and his outstanding record of five wins in this race since 2011 with imports and mares.
Selections
RACE 1: (3) BROADSIDING; (7) Rasp; (2) Miss Busslinger; (9) Powers Of Opal
RACE 2: (7) PORT LOCKROY; (11) Midnight Opal; (13) Kandinsky Abstract; (5) Razors
RACE 3: (2) STRAIT ACER; (8) Territory Express; (14) Willinga Freefall; (6) Terra Mater
RACE 4: (5) ENEEZA; (1) Lady Of Camelot; (3) Drifting; (6) Castanya
RACE 5: (6) SCHWARZ; (1) Ozzmosis; (2) Arkansas Kid; (11) Joliestar
RACE 6: (1) ORCHESTRAL; (3) Zardozi; (5) Autumn Angel; (2) Quintessa
RACE 7: (3) ASHRUN; (10) Athabascan; (12) Circle Of Fire; (7) Kalapour
RACE 8: (8) VIA SISTINA; Place Du Carrousel; (2) Cascadian; (7) Pride Of Jenni
RACE 9: (2) ZOUGOTCHA; (1) Atishu; (14) Tropical Squall; (5) Semana
RACE 10: (3) WEE NESSY; (4) Tashi; (1) Red Card; (14) Saltaire
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1: (3) BROADSIDING - Looking for this distance. Significant that he gets J Mac for the first time.
RACE 2: (7) PORT LOCKROY - Luckless nose second first-up in the Canberra Guineas. Dodged the wet last week with this in mind.
RACE 5: (6) SCHWARZ - Impressive in everything he's done and still on the up. Just a run short when resuming.
RACE 6: (1) ORCHESTRAL - Her class and stamina came to the fore at Rosehill. She knows how to win!
RACE 7: (3) ASHRUN - Ready to produce his Melbourne Cup form. The one to beat if he does.
RACE 9: (2) ZOUGOTCHA - Should get her reward for bypassing the Doncaster. Favourably treated against her own sex.
RACE 10: (1) WEE NESSY – Have to trust the Chain Of Lightning form from Rosehill. Well placed on her best efforts.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 13
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Too Darn Lizzie (R4); Ozzmosis (R5); The Instructor (R5); Red Card (R10); Pippali (R10);
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Pippie Beach (R6)
WELLINGTON SUNDAY: Jamacri (R3); Sneaky Sofia (R7)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Celestial Legend; Espionage; Diva Las Vegas; Physical Graffiti; Inquisitive Legend; Rantan; Froebel Star; Killcare Beachgirl; Gringotts; Another Wil; Linebacker; More Territories; Lady Of Camelot; Growing Empire; Left Field; Commemorative; Canamble; Empress Of Japan; Red Card; Cassiel; Hallet; Holmes A Court; Short Shorts
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM April 5 (Polytrack): A small set on the polytrack with James Cummings winning the three short course heats over 740m,. Few runners were put under full pressure in any of the heats but the fastest trial won by Balkans (44.12; 33.61) was full of classy Group performers including OZZMOSIS and RED CARD with only 1.55 lengths covering the six runners at the finish and none coming off the bit at any stage. RED CARD was held down under a soft ride after covering more ground than the others.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 12-13
RANDWICK SATUTRDAY: Midnight Opal (R2); Strait Acer (R3); Willinga Freefall (R3); Basilinna (R6); Buckaroo (R8); Saltaire (R10)
BENDIGO SATURDAY: Skybird (R5); Papillon Club (R7); Roll On High (R8); Foxy Frida (R9); Stageman (R9); Euphoric (R9)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Mayfair Spirit (R9)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Vivy Air (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Quothquan; Circle Of Fire; Miss Joelene; Terra Mater; He's Our Bonneval; Riff Rocket; Elettrica; Strawberry Rock; Fearless; Commemorative; Illative; Etna Rosso; Pasima; Sir Atlas; Territory Express; Dolphin Skin; Cadetship; Celestial Legend; Gently Rolled; Dark Journey; Our Maryanne
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected April 6
(Follow for next 3 starts)
AUGUST BLOOM; BEWS; CONCELLO; I WISH I WIN; NUGGET; RED TOP; TOJAKI; VOLCANIC LOVE
