The start of the new season will be highlighted by the running of the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick under clear skies and fingers crossed a good track. Conditions are also favourable up north in Brisbane with Doomben set to race on a Good 4 and Tony Gollan sending eight runners to the track. While at Flemington the rail is out a massive 10 metres and a soft surface is expected. Our TRL trainers have been providing plenty of winners for us over recent weeks, let’s get down to finding some more for this Saturday.
Click on the link below for a Randwick track preview.
TONY GOLLAN’S OLYMPIC DREAM
Not only is it now official that Queensland Rogues trainer Tony Gollan has won his eighth straight trainer’s premiership, the stable also finished runner-up in the Australia wide premiership for metro winners. Here are some of Tony’s thoughts on his major runners on Saturday:
Race 2, Tavion Prince “I’m sure he can run top three, off what appears to be a good tempo”
Race 6 Purroni “Like her coming off a short break, gets a good track, she’s in great order”
Race 8 Ef Troop “Better horse at Doomben, if the real Ef Troop turns up he’ll be hard to beat”
Race 9 Really Discreet “My best winning chance of the day”
BET: Purroni – Each Way (Bris Race 6)
BET: Really Discreet – Each Way (BrisRace 9)
MUNCE RECAPS ON A RECORD SEASON
Grand Slam winning jockey and Queensland Rogues trainer Chris Munce is coming off his best season and looking to make a winning start to the new season. Muncie rates Kavak (Race 3) highly. Kavak has a great fresh record and from a nice draw should be able to sit just behind the leaders. The three kilo claim of Jaden Lloyd will also help.
BET: Kavak – Each Way (Race 3)
ROB HEATHCOTE CRUISING
If I had to single out just one of Rob Heathcote’s runners at Doomben it would be Ziemba (Race 4), it went around favourite last start was travelling sweetly but couldn’t find clear running till way too late. With more luck this week he can win.
BET: Ziemba – Each Way (Bris Race 4)
JOE PRIDE HOLDS THE CARDS
NSW Tycoons trainer Joe Pride holds the trump card in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (Race 7) at Royal Randwick this Saturday with Fasika. Fasika has a tremendous fresh record with 3 wins from 5 preparations and looked fantastic in her two most recent barrier trials in preparation for this. Invinciano (Race 4) won well last start when well rated in front and can certainly win again on the back-up.
Bet: Invinciano – Each Way (Randwick Race 4)
Bet: Fasika – Win (Randwick Race 7)
COSTA’S WINNING STRIKE RATE
Queensland Rogues trainer Michael Costa finished the season with the leading strike rate of any top 50 trainer in Australia, a wonderful achievement. He heads south with Ramornie runner-up Phobetor to tackle Fasika in the Missile Stakes “he’ll run well, but I can’t say he’ll be winning” said Costa. Back in Brisbane, Costa can certainly win with She Can Sing (Race 6) at Doomben. She Can Sing won her two starts before a spell and is ready to rock first-up.
BET: Phobetor – Place (Randwick Race 7)
BET: She Can Sing – Each Way (Brisbane Race 6)
MARK NEWNHAM TO FIRE
Followers of NSW Tycoons trainer Mark Newnham can relax until later in the day at Randwick. Mark could win the last two events with Six Gun (Race 9) and Academy (Race 10). Six Gun is coming off a really good tough victory last start and can win again. While Academy has been smashed in early betting and is coming off a couple of cracking barrier trials.
BET: Six Gun – WIN (Race 9 Randwick)
BET: Academy – Each Way (Race 10 Randwick)
BUSUTTIN-YOUNG COMBO WORKING
We can get some play money early at Flemington courtesy of the Trent Busuttin-Natalie Young trained Forgot You (Race 2). Forgot You has only had three career starts, but he has raced with no luck. He’s got a stack of ability, the jump outs were also good and he should deliver on his potential.
BET: Forgot You – Each Way (Melb Race 2)