Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Derby Day meeting at Randwick on April 5 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK April 5
Best Bets
RACE 4 - (2) SWIFTFALCON: He's my top pick for the Doncaster if he gains a start. If not he clearly rates as the one to beat against his own age after excellent placings in the right G1 form races since resuming. Easy to say he could have beaten either Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) or Broadsiding in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) with better luck in running and he doesn't have to contend with rivals of their class in this field. A quiet ride with cover for the return to 1600m should see him produce his explosive finish.
RACE 7 - (8) MAGIC TIME: Super mare showed she is primed for a peak performance with a classy trial win over Joliestar and Switzerland at this course last week. It's a terrific sprint field but she's a proven G1 winner, her Randwick credentials are excellent and she can take full advantage of the rails draw as a soft track is worth lengths to her.
RACE 9 - (18) AELIANA: Only nine fillies have won the ATC Derby since 1861 including just four in the last 70 years – no matter because if this filly carries on with her lead up form she'll be become the first since 2011. Chris Waller set her on the Derby path from the start of her prep and has run her in all the traditional lead up races against the males with her surging second to Broadsiding in her final prep in the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) stamping her as the horse to beat in the Derby. It's the right form race and none of her rivals boast such an impressive Derby trial.
Selections
RACE 1: (6) BESKAR; (1) North England; (10) Alabama Magic; (2) King Of Pop
RACE 2: (6) BELLE DETELLE; (9) Polymnia; (14) Exclusive Artist; (5) You Whang
RACE 3: (11) STRATHTAY; (3) Alalcance; (7) Waltham; (2) Athabascan
RACE 4: (2) SWIFTFALCON; (1) Evaporate; (3) Depth Of Character; (8) Brigidine Gal
RACE 5: (7) KNOW THYSELF; (1) Gallant Star; (14) Intervarsity; (3) Tribeca Star
RACE 6: (2) WODETON; (3) Vinrock; (1) Rivellino; (5) State Visit
RACE 7: (8) MAGIC TIME; (6) Sunshine In Paris; (7) Joliestar; (2) Jimmysstar
RACE 8: (22) SWIFTFALCON; (19) Firestorm; (20) Linebacker; (2) Gringotts; (3) Tom Kitten; (7) Royal Patronage; (13) Kovalica
RACE 9: (18) AELIANA; (1) Willydoit; (4) Shanwah; (5) Plymouth; (8) King Of Thunder; (7) Firm Agreement
RACE 10: (1) CLEAN ENERGY; (3) Lilac; (4) She's Got Pizzazz; (2) Zeitung
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 (6) BESKAR: Smart stable has been patient since his impressive debut. Trial win says he's ready to progress.
RACE 2 (6) BELLE DETELLE: Cuddled in two trials since strong Sandown win. Value play in a race renowned for upset results!
RACE 3 (11) STRATHTAY: Strong improvement third up in the right form race. Soft track conditions enhance his prospects.
RACE 5 (7) KNOW THYSELF: Fitter second up when dominant in strong Scone heat. Abundant potential.
RACE 6 (2) WODETON: Trusting Ryan Moore and the Golden Slipper form. He's tailor made for 1400m at Randwick.
RACE 8: See Doncaster Mile Preview published earlier.
RACE 10 (1) CLEAN ENERGY: Did it the hard way to land her G3 at Moonee Valley. Starting to justify her $2.6 million yearling cost.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 3-5
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Beskar (R1); Sylph (R1); Depth Of Character (R4); Vinrock (R6); Overpass (R7); Headwall (R7); Joliestar (R7); Magic Time (R7); Linebacker (R8); Rise At Dawn (R8); Zeitung (R10)
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Nymphadora (R1); Maid Of Moolah (R1); Kitesurfing (R2); Impact Zone (R2)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Aleppo Pine (R1); Ironton (R2)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Bacchanalia (R10)
GOULBURN TUESDAY: Excess Capita (R2); Dundeel Flyer (R4)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Reducio; Oakfield Jupiter; Celui; Telling; Ballroom Bella; Love And Light; Divine Bene; Triple Tempo; Private Harry; Schwarz; Autumn Glow; Olufsen; Gandalf; Useapin; Mercantilist; General Salute; Meridiana; Snow In May; Jedibeel; Kilman; Fast Track; Amelia's Jewel; Strada Varenna; Gone To Cape York
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK March 28: Glamour mares JOLIESTAR and MAGIC TIME enjoyed a spin on the Kensington track to keep them up to the mark for their coming clash in the TJ Smith on April 5. The pair dominated the 850m heat for Group horses with MAGIC TIME putting in the best work as she gained the upper hand over a quietly ridden JOLIESTAR over the last 200m to win by more than a length (52.36; 33.47). MAGIC TIME worked well within herself on the outside and on what we saw here she is primed to play a big hand in the G1 sprint. SWITZERLAND was OK finishing third but his work didn't match the mares while FIRESTORM had an easy time finishing fourth. The interesting runner was the imported mare ANISETTE, a triple G1 winner in the US, chasing them home in a trial that will obviously improve her condition. Other notable trials included a super effort from HEADWALL in his 1050m heat on the Randwick grass. He came from 10 lengths off the leaders at the 500m to finish full of running for a close second. Snitzel colt BESKAR won at Geelong in December and his good late work to win his heat (44.40; 33.21) suggests he is a likely type for the carnival. VINROCK, the VRC Sires Produce winner, is set for a strong campaign in Sydney after working well within himself for an impressive second in the 1050m heat for 2YOs (64.45; 35.89). Mark Zahra came from Melbourne to handle the colt and must have been pleased with his classy work through the line. The Hayes-trained RISE AT DAWN was another Victorian visitor to impress, closing strongly over the last 200m for an impressive second in his 1050m heat in fast time (63.81; 35.05) with the G1 performer TRAFFIC WARDEN working OK for third. EVAPORATE, another visitor from the Hayes stable, showed he had come through his trip to NZ with no issues to win his 1050m heat (64.25; 34.22).
HAWKESBURY March 25: Crack sprinter OVERPASS topped off his prep for the carnival and another trip to Perth with a soft win. Surprisingly he took a sit behind the leader in his 1000m heat and travelled kindly on the rails before asserting his class to run home under a kind ride for a comfortable win by more than two lengths (59.35; 33.10) with feature being his fast sectionals from the 600m. There was plenty of depth in the open heats with a good trial from talented filly ZEITUNG.
WARWICK FARM March 21: Randwick Guineas winner LINEBACKER continued his preparation for the Doncaster Mile with a classy win in his 1200m heat (72.40; 34.49). Travelled easily in fourth on the rails before peeling three wide off the turn with Zac Lloyd having to make LINEBACKER extend to run down the leader. BACCHANALIA won the fastest 1200m heat with a strong all the way win (72.28; 34.29). He was never extended to win by 3.5 lengths, typical of the way he can trial, and he will be competitive under the right conditions if he can take this form to the races. Youngsters to take the eye in their trials included KITESURFING.
ROSEHILL March 17: MAID OF MOOLAH was an unraced 2YO to impress with strong work under a quiet ride in her 1030m heat. She had been noted with a similar trial at the start of the season
ROSEHILL March 6: OVERPASS dominated his 900m heat holding his advantage to the line for a narrow win in good time (54.14; 34.55).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 5
RANDWICK: Athabascan (R3); Kinesiology (R3); Evaporate (R4); Swiftfalcon (R4/R8); Jimmyssttar (R7); Briasa (R7); Sunshine In Paris (R7); Kimochi (R7); Goldrush Guru (R9); Zeitung (R10); Husk (R10)
CAULFIELD: Heart Of Glass (R2); Hola Amigos (R4); Statuario (R5); Lovelycut (R7); Chewing Gum (R7); Roll On High (R9)
EAGLE FARM: Arisphere (R6)
MORPHETTVILLE: On Display (R7)
HAWKESBURY: Tavolo (R8)
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected March 29-April 1
(Follow for next 3 starts)
HAJRA; HOLYMANZ; LA DEFENSE; MICHELANGELO; VIVY AIR
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo; Benagil; Skyhook; Tom Kitten; Joliestar; Alalcance; Verdad; Set To Shine; Burlington Gate; On Display; Tribeca Star; Winnasedge; Tapa Kick; Island Dec; Termagant; Cosmonova; Zondee
