Race 5: 2:55PM BRAVE SMASH @ YARRAMAN PARK HANDICAP (1600M)
6. Mortal Halo is putting it together this time in with two wins from three starts and the form around his narrow defeat in between gained a boost during the week. He did enjoy a good passage in scoring at 1500m at Rosehill last time and rises 3.5kg but he’s drawn to effect and has to be the one to beat. 1. Full Hao needed every inch of the 1800m to get up at Rosehill after a string of placings this time in. It’ll be interesting to see how she handles coming back 200m and rising in weight but if she can make some use off a better gate it’ll offset that to a degree. 2. Covert Thinking ran nicely when resuming behind Hyperbolic a few weeks back, while she drew one and had her chance she was quite strong on the line so going to the mile now suits. Strung three wins together last prep and has claims. 13. Tequisoda is up in class but drops 5kg and gets blinkers on after a handy second at Newcastle where he found himself on the worst going on the day. One to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Mortal Halo WIN
Race 6: 3:30PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (2400M)
4. Bestower is going to give away a start, most likely, but she’s found form putting three good runs together culminating in an easy win over this trip at Warwick Farm. The runner-up won on Wednesday and was almost four lengths behind her. Gate one is interesting, perhaps she doesn’t get right out of her ground but you know with her that she’ll be closing off strongly. 3. King Pedro should relish getting to the 2400m now after a sound second in this grade behind Kind Words two weeks ago. He ran fifth in the New Zealand Derby earlier in the year and seems to be hitting his straps. 2. Brave Call held out Bestower at Kembla Grange a month ago on a wet track and has been back to the trials since. Yet to see this trip but on form line has to be respected. 1. Belle Detelle disappointed when favourite behind Kind Words at Rosehill. She’s mixed her form this prep but the distance holds no fears. Can bounce back.
How to play it: Bestower WIN
Race 7: 4:05PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1100M)
10. King’s Secret raced his way through the grades quickly in the winter and showed he’d come back in handy order with a nice third behind Lyles at Rosehill. He settled back last in the small field and found the line looking like a coming winner. Drops 8kg for the rise in grade but lands in a race with good speed and he should get his chance to have a say in the finish. 2. Zealously was six weeks between runs when a shade disappointing at Rosehill three weeks back. Seemed to have his chance in the run there but didn’t pick up. Expect he’ll look to be right on the speed from the inside and is worth another chance. 11. Dollar Magic never runs a bad race and resumed from a break with a typically honest third at Rosehill behind a couple of handy sprinters. A place chance at least. 8. Sunrise ran a game race in The Warra on a heavy track and the form out of that race has held up with the runner-up winning a stakes race since. She’ll give another good sight.
How to play it: King’s Secret WIN
Race 8: 4:45PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1400M)
9. Gallant Star has done nothing wrong in three starts this preparation and was very well ridden to find a spot before running into trouble in the straight in his fifth behind Yorkshire in the Festival. That has to be good form. He’s invariably run well at Randwick, draws ideally and it’s hard to see him not being competitive. 14. Just Party has a winning record that’s a little unfair on him with just one victory in 15 starts, he’s had a few close calls including his second-up placing at Rosehill two weeks ago. If he can make some use of a gate and get into the clear at the right time there’s every chance he could break through. 4. Know Thyself will need a few favours from a wide gate but he has an imposing record and did start a short priced favourite in the Scone Cup before a spell. He’ll improve on whatever he does but stays in the mix. 3. West Of Africa gets back and runs on and he did that quite well when resuming in the same race as Just Party. Will be fitter and if the race pans out for him he’s capable of running into the finish.
How to play it: Gallant Star EACH-WAY
Gallant Star typically runs well at Randwick. Credit: Getty
Race 9: 5:20PM THE INGLIS INFLUENCE HANDICAP (1400M)
10. Bella Corazon will need a good ride but there’s every chance she could find the right spot looking at where the speed is, and if she does, then she has to be a major hope. Nice resumption behind Weeping Woman who has confirmed the form then she was quite dominant second-up at Rosehill. With that little bit of luck she’s right in this. 12. Virgil’s Gift is an up and comer who led them up and was far too good at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. Rises in class but drops sharply in the weights. Take running down if she finds the front. 7. Maid Of Moolah had excuses behind Bella Corazon last time and a big barrier switch gives her the chance to bounce back. Form around her Newcastle win has been handy and she’s earned another chance. 4. Vienna Vixen hit the line when it was all over behind Weeping Woman at Kembla Grange and gets blinkers and a rise in trip in her favour. She’s an each-way chance at odds.
How to play it: Bella Corazon EACH-WAY
Race 10: 5:55PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1300M)
6. Bartolf looks to have the right form around him through Tuned out of his past two starts and he’ll just need them to run along a little early for him to offset that gate and find something to follow. A dry track horse so gets conditions to suit, there looks to be enough speed and he’s drawn right outside it so it gives him a very good chance. 4. Catoggio has been freshened up since four runs in Melbourne and he was around the mark without winning. He’ll roll forward from the gate and though it’s been a while between wins he’s found a good option. 12. Alabama State ran last in the Midway last week but he might as well have stayed at home as he didn’t get a crack at them at any stage. It seems the story of his life of late but he’s good enough to be competitive if he can get a shot. 5. Wooloowin usually runs well fresh and while her form was a bit mixed last time, her best is good enough and has each-way claims.
How to play it: Bartolf WIN
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
