Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Easter Saturday meeting at Randwick on April 19 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK April 19
Best Bets
RACE 6: (13) TOURISTIC - You won't find a better value chance at double figure odds on this program that this genuine gelding, Boasts a proven record over this course and distance and he's weighted to win dropping 2kg to the limit off his last start fourth in the G3 Neville Sellwood (2000m) at Rosehill when he finished only a head from the winner Ceowulf in a blanket finish. Fitter again and rates highly in a similar field.
RACE 7: (3) BUFFALO - Every one of his five starts points to him wanting this distance. Got his maiden win over 1200m on his home track at Newcastle before proving he was up with the best of his age when getting home hard from last at the 500m for a close third in the G1 Sires' Produce (1400m) at this course two weeks ago. In an average year expect that G1 form to stand up.
RACE 8: (2) BRIASA - The big grey has emerged as our new sprint star, lifting his rating by defying the WFA scale to record his first G1 win in the TJ Smith over 1200m at this course two weeks ago when he let down with the best sprint over the last 300m. This is his first go at 1400m but he handled 1300m with ease last prep and with a soft trail from his good draw expect his turn of foot to again be decisive.
Selections
RACE 1: (7) PIRAEUS; (5) Apollo Mission; (11) Fugitiva; (10) Glounthaune
RACE 2: (11) SALUTE AGAIN; (9) Win The Day; (17) Ballinderry Sal; (5) Syrian Star
RACE 3: (1) SWIFTFALCON; (2) Firm Agreement; (6) Sigiriya Rock; (3) Plymouth
RACE 4: (2) ZEITUNG; (1) Clean Energy; (3) Snow In May; (6) Churchill's Choice
RACE 5: (15) GETAFIX; (8) Need Some Luck; (11) Iron Man; (6) City Of Lights
RACE 6: (13) TOURISTIC; (3) Encap; (2) Bois D'Argent; (6) New Endeavour
RACE 7: (3) BUFFALO; (1) State Visit; (2) Nepotism; (10) Tupakara
RACE 8: (2) BRIASA; (14) Broadsiding; (4) Jimmysstar; (7) Sunshine In Paris
RACE 9: (12) DRAGONSTONE; (5) Mazu; (13) Coal Crusher; (7) Ostraka
RACE 10: (5) TAVI TIME; (16) Cool Jakey; (8) Strait Acer; (1) Welwal
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1: (7) PIRAEUS - Charged home at Rosehill off a five weeks break. Favourably placed over the extra ground.
RACE 2: (11) SALUTE AGAIN - Excellent first-up effort carrying 60.5kg. Has the Highway form on the board over this course and distance.
RACE 3: (1) SWIFTFALCON - Rates to win on his G1 form in the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas. No excuses for him at set weights.
RACE 4: (2) ZEITUNG - She's had excuses over the shorter trips. This is her right distance, just needs genuine pace.
RACE 5: (15) GETAFIX - Performs fresh and good trials have him ready to exploit weight advantage. Set for a good prep.
RACE 9: (12) DRAGONSTONE - Just missed in similar company last time. Weights favour him on his favourite track.
RACE 10: (5) TAVI TIME – Good trials and J Mac on board. Draw should see him take advantage of race pace.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 16-21
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Getafix (R5); Need Some Luck (R5); Iron Man (R5); City Of Lights (R5); Cruel Summer (R5); Klondike (R6); Broadsiding (R8); Xidaki (R9); Age Of Kings (R9)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Tessy Tee (R3); Caltsar (R6); Tillstrom (R6)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Mayne (R4)
MUDGEE SUNDAY: Winner Of Kowloon (R4); A Bar In Paris (R4)
NOWRA SUNDAY: Tigletta (R6)
CANTERBURY MONDAY: First Landing (R1); Hawker Hall (R1); Secure (R1); Ninette (R2); Silver Wedding (R2); Winner Of Kowloon (R2); Mignonette (R3); Taxonomy (R3); Chatterley (R3); Hidden Achievement (R3); Ellipsis (R5); Renosu (R7)
MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Taxonomy (R4)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Famous One; Night Sky; Tiberius; Aerodrome; Rose Of Dubai; Vinrock; Evaporate; Nymphadora; 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
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK April 14: Trials that took the eye in the heats over 1050m included the maiden MIGNONETTE and unraced 2YO filly CHATTERLEY.
WARWICK FARM April 7: Outstanding colt BROADSIDING was the star attraction. The last start Rosehill Guineas winner – form that has been franked by the big Derby win of the filly Aeliana – was quietly ridden in the fastest of three 1200m heats (71.39; 34.71) won by the free running Felix Majestic before working home under no pressure for an easy fourth without coming off the bit. Maiden filly WINNER OF KOWLOON recorded her second trial win from as many outings. She's a runner and had no trouble leading up her 799m heat and comfortably holding a three lengths advantage over the last 200m to win her 799m heat in quick time (47.38; 33.74).
ROSEHILL April 4: We tabbed unraced Zoustar filly NINETTE when she won a trial in October and she again confirmed her ability with a soft win in her fast 900m heat (55.03; 34.08), dictating the speed and having plenty in reserve in the run to the line.
NEWCASTLE April 2: Another classy trial win by HAWKER HALL adds to his profile that has him tabbed as the best maiden in training in Newcastle.
RANDWICK March 28: Nice work from GETAFIX to win his 1050m heat in fast time (63.81; 35.05) after pulling his way to a six lengths lead on the turn before he switched off over the last 100m. Followed up with an easier trial at Rosehill on April 4. .
HAWKESBURY March 25: A notable trial by RENOSU doing it with ease to score in his 1000m heat (59.60; 34.71). There was plenty of depth in the open heats with a good trial from talented performer IRON MAN.
WARWICK FARM March 21: Lightly raced filly TESSY TEE was a sharp winner of a fast 795m heat (47.09; 33.41), sitting three wide and impressing with her sharp response when asked for an effort. Other nice trials in the short open heats included CITY OF LIGHTS. The efforts of some youngsters in the 2YO trials suggest they will make an impression in late season races including the free running 795m heat winner TIGLETTA (46.99; 33.75).
ROSEHILL March 17: In the 2YO trials over 900m the unraced 3YO filly TAXONOMY is sure to take improvement from a nice closing effort in her debut trial.
RANDWICK March 10: Godolphin runner RENOSU impressed working well within himself for a narrow win in the fastest 740m heat (43.08; 32.77).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 19-21
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Zeitung (R4); Getafix (R5); Molly Bloom (R6); State Visit (R7); Michelangelo (R7); Jimmysstar (R8); Sunshine In Paris (R8); Kimochi (R8); Townsend (R10)
MORNINGTON SATURDAY: Movin Out (R7); Night Endeavour (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Arisphere (R3); French Endeavour (R6); Twigman (R7)
OAKBANK SATURDAY: Hajra (R8)
ASCOT SATURDAY: First Beach (R3)
SUNSHINE COAST SUNDAY: Twigman (R5)
CANTERBURY MONDAY; Maid Of Moolah (R2)
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected April 12
(Follow for next 3 starts)
CLIMBING STAR; INTERJECTION; SALTY PEARL; RAPT; VON HAUKE; ZASZOU
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; 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
