Our TRL trainers are on a winning roll and we certainly hope that continues this Saturday. In Victoria last weekend, horses trained by Maher, Moody and Busutttin all saluted. At the feature meeting at Kembla Grange, Richard and Michael Freedman took out the the feature event while Mark Newnham produced Big Parade to a record breaking win. In Brisbane, the Rob Heathcote trained Dusty Tycoon was cheered home by her hundreds of owners while Tony Gollan also had a winner. That’s now old news, let’s get down to finding some winners for Saturday.
SUN TO SHINE AT RANDWICK
Sydney remains in lockdown and while we haven’t been able to get out and enjoy the sunshine it has done wonders for the Royal Randwick surface. It’s expected to be a Good 4 with the Rail back in the True position for the first Group 1 of the season, the Winx Stakes.
Click here for Randwick track report.
FREEDMAN BROTHERS TO STAR
There’ll be no shortage of speed in the Group 3 Show County Stakes with twelve sprinters lining up. NSW Tycoons trainers Richard and Michael Freedman have one of the favourites in Prime Star, which has already been smashed in the early markets. Prime Star has never won first-up and was disappointing last start but it was later revealed he struck himself, so there was legitimate excuses. Richard loves training stayers and Shuffle Up (Race 2) looks more than ready to repeat the dose over the testing 2400 metres at Randwick. Don’t forget Sciconic (Race 2) at Eagle Farm to be ridden by Jim Byrne. Sciconic is now deep into his preparation and looked pretty good coming from last to first in a Gold Coast barrier trial.
BET: Shuffle Up – Each Way (Sydney Race 2)
BET: Prime Star – Each Way (Sydney Race 7)
BET: Sciconic – Each Way (Bris Race 2)
GAI MOVES SWIFTLY
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are attacking the prestigious Silver Shadow Stakes (Race 6) with her Golden Slipper runner in Swift Witness. To be fair, the filly disappointed in the Slipper but did have a great two-year-old year. She has a stack of ability and is an each way bet.
BET: Swift Witness – Each Way (Sydney Race 6)
CIARON MAHER OFF TO A FLYER
Fine weather is predicted for Moonee Valley on Saturday with the track a Good 4. We could get the money early with Vic Husslers trainer Ciaron Maher and Decent Raine (Race 1). He was super impressive winning first-up, from barrier 3 should get a great run and be hard to beat with even more fitness on his side. Always hard to chime in after a horse has won it’s last two straight but Smokin’ Romans (Race 5) should complete the hat-trick. He proved himself a true stayer last start over the testing 2500m and the stable are happy to back him up. Grand Promenade (Race 7) looks to be the class runner in a tough race over 2040 metres. He’s another Maher/Eustace runner looking for the hat-trick.
Bet: Decent Rain – Win (MV Race 1)
Bet: Smokin’ Romans – Win (MV Race 5)
Bet: Grand Promenade – Win (MV Race 7)
KEEP AN EYE ON JOE
NSW Tycoons trainer Joe Pride has quietly made his way over the Victorian border with his speedster Ballistic Lover to attack the Carlyon Stakes (Race 8) at Moonee Valley. Ballistic Lover, won two of three starts last preparation, including a listed win beating stiff competition. Pride has her ready to win first-up.
BET: Ballistic Lover – Each Way (MV Race 8)
HEATHCOTE THE HERO
There’s no better supporter of micro-ownership than Qld Rogues trainer Rob Heathcote and he made himself a hero to hundreds of miRunners owners last Saturday with Dusty Tycoon returning to the winners stalls. Release The Beans (Race 6) looks the best of Rob’s chances. After winning his last two starts, he won’t be flash odds but from barrier 3 he should get the run of the race.
BET: Release The Beans – Win (EF Race 6)
EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES – TONY GOLLAN
If racing is a numbers game, which it is, Qld Rogues trainer Tony Gollan is in for a massive day at Eagle Farm.vRock Amore (Race 4) is coming off a great win, from a good draw he should be able to go to the lead, control the tempo and kick away. The biggest danger could be Tony’s other runner Vinco who caught the eye last start. Whozyadeeler (Race 5) is a lightly raced 5 year-old with a tremendous record. He’ll need pace on up front and that’s not always guaranteed in a small field of only nine. Mischief Managed (Race 8) liked him at the $8 that is now long gone. She has won her only two starts this preparation, the first on a heavy track but came out on a firm surface and won at the Gold Coast. Pizonie (Race 9) is a terrific fresh horse, only ever missing a place once in six preparations. He’ll need a genuine speed up front, but can see him storming home late.
BET: Rock Amore – Each Way (Bris Race 4)
BET:Mischief Managed – Each Way (Bris Race 8)
BET: Pizonie – Each Way (Bris Race 9)
