Day Two of The Championships remains in the lap of mother nature but with fingers firmly crossed the forecast is improving with the meeting to go ahead on a very Heavy track at Royal Randwick.
In Melbourne, there’s a collision of horsepower with the Australian Grand Prix and a nine-event card at Caulfield, while Doomben has centre stage in Brisbane.
Let’s find some winners from our TRL trainers on a busy weekend.
PRICE IN FOR A BUSY DAY
Many good judges believe the Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be the race of the carnival, now that’s a big statement considering the highlights so far and with more to come.
The Price/Kent stable has I’m Thunderstruck lining up at double-digit odds against favourites Verry Elleegant and Zaaki.
Earlier in the day, the team has Green Belt (Race 2) arriving in Sydney undefeated from two starts. He has never been on a Heavy track but if he gets through the going will be in the finish. Has been supported $9 to $8.
Price/Kent’s best chance at Caulfield is Deepstrike (Race 2) he carried a massive 61kgs to win at Sandown and looks to be at the peak of his powers.
BET: Green Belt – Each Way (Randwick Race 2)
BET: Deepstrike – Win (Caulfield Race 2)
CIARON SPLITTING HIS ALLEGIANCES
The Ciaron Maher/Dave Eustace yard is well represented across the Group 1s at Randwick with the undefeated Younce (Race 9) a standout in the Queen of the Turf.
Younce is an undefeated filly who only has to get through the ground to be good value at $7.50 with Sportsbet. She does have a win on a Soft track to her credit.
Don’t forget about Bella Nipotina (Race 10) who’s twice Group 1 placed she who looked good last start working home late.
At Caulfield, Ciaron’s two best hopes are Maserartie Bay (Race 1) and Arkita (Race 7). Maserartie Bay goes forward, stays out of trouble and was super impressive last start winning the Yarra Valley Cup.
Artika is a nice filly who put together two great wins while you can forget the last start failure when it pulled up with heart irregularity.
BET: Younce – Each Way (Randwick Race 9)
BET: Bella Nipotina – Each Way (Randwick Race 10)
BET: Maserartie Bay – WIN (Caulfield Race 1)
BET: Arkita – Each Way (Caulfield Race 7)
NEWNHAM TO MAKE A BRIGHT START
Always nice to start the day with a winner in the first and Mark Newnham has a nice filly Matcha Latte (Race 1) in the opening race.
Her two runs so far have been solid without being spectacular, but she does get through the ground and is an improving type.
BET: Matcha Latte – Each Way (Randwick Race 1)
KIM WAUGH HAS SOME GREAT NEWS
Kim Waugh was more than happy with the second barrier trial of Sidenay who has been nominated to make his debut this Wednesday or Thursday.
This Saturday we are cheering for Kim and Great News (Race 3) in the Provincial Championship.
Great News really caught the eye last time out and looks to be trained to the minute by Kim plus there’s J-Mac in the saddle, we’ll all be cheering.
BET: Great News – Each Way (Randwick Race 3)
GAI ALWAYS SHINES ON THE BIG SHOW
Gai Waterhouse’s acting career has been well documented in her earlier years, but she still knows how to shine on the big stage at Randwick or anywhere for that matter.
She and Adrian have a few worth following on a tough day at Randwick.
North Star Lass (Race 4) she’s had just one start for one win and that was a tough effort on a rain-affected Warwick Farm track but she has blown badly in Sportsbet betting.
In The Congo (Race 5) this Group 1 winner was terrific first-up, he has a win on a slow track to his credit and will go forward and be extremely hard to beat.
Knights Order (Race 7) Gai and Adrian have always had an opinion of this galloper, there’s been some good money for him on Sportsbet firming from $13 to $9.50 and you know he’ll be fit and should run the 3200m.
BET: North Star Lass – Each Way (Randwick Race 4)
BET: In The Congo – Win (Randwick Race 5)
BET: Knights Order – Each Way (Randwick Race 7)
BIG DOOMBEN DAY FOR GOLLAN
QLD Rogues owners will be keeping an extremely close eye on the Tony Gollan trained Nettuno in the first race at Doomben.
Nettuno was a super impressive winner of his first start two weeks ago at the Sunshine Coast in the same race that our very own Greylander made his debut in. Nettuno is a hot odds on favourite to make it two from two.
Like Vinco over stablemate Snitch in Race 8. While we should stick with last start winner Smart Image (Race 9) who powered home at this very track.
BET: Nettuno – Win (Doomben Race 1)
BET: Vinco (Doomben Race 8)
BET: Smart Image (Doomben Race 9)
MUNCE STILL DREAMING
With positive reports coming through from Chris Munce on Hot Spring Gold, Qld Rogues owners can’t wait for this bloke to make his return to the track and debut for the Rogues. He’s one to watch.
The Munce trained Dash for Dreams (Race 6) is no superstar but controlled the race from in front last start at Ipswich to post an impressive win.
BET: Dash for Dreams – Each Way (Doomben Race 6)
Good luck and good punting
TK