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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick meeting on May 24 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners for May 23-28.

RANDWICK May 24

Best Bets

RACE 1 - (4) MATIMA: Stylish Lonhro colt followed good trials with a strong debut win over 1000m at Hawkesbury when he handled the soft conditions confidently. His subsequent third in a short 740m trial on a heavy track at Randwick was excellent as he surged through the line with intent, looking every bit a colt who will improve further stepping up to 1200m.

RACE 4 – (5) HURSTVILLE ZAGREB: Doubt anything in this field has more raw talent than this lightly raced gelding but the query is how he handles 1800m on a heavy track second up after his excellent placing over 1600m at Gosford when resuming. Should have won that race after tracking three and four deep from the 1000m around the tight Gosford circuit and he did jump from his debut win over 1500m on a heavy track to win second time out over 1900m at Canterbury. Has the look of a horse poised to rise through the classes.

RACE 7 - (8) ZAPHOD: Talented Irish import was having his first start since he was placed over this course and distance in January when a close second to the subsequent Gosford Cup winner Les Vampires over 1800m at this track on April 26 (the Wagga Cup winner also came out of that race) to add to his perfect in the money record from six starts on soft and heavy ground. He's a second up winner and with four weeks between runs it suggests the Lees team have waited patiently for the right target.

Selections

RACE 1: (4) MATIMA; (5) Agarwood; (2) Regulated Affair; (3) Sequista

RACE 2: (5) FLYING EMBERS; (9) First Mission; (11) Strawberry Impact; (10) Danish Prince 

RACE 3: (8) PLENITUDE; (2) So You Pence; (12) Bakhita; (11) Chemtrail

RACE 4: (5) HURSTVILLE ZAGREB; (6) Sigiriya Rock; (4) Duvana; (3) She's A Dealer

RACE 5: (15) TRAPALANDA; (7) Ahuriri; (10) Wuddzz; (3) So Dazzling

RACE 6: (5) EPIC PROPORTIONS; (10) Winning Proposal; (12) Storm The Ramparts; (13) Miss Jennifer

RACE 7: (8) ZAPHOD; (14) Quantum Cat; (11) Asgoodassobergets; (6) Collect Your Cash  

RACE 8: (12) HOLLYWOOD HERO; (3) Green Fly; (13) Rapt; (6) Cool Jakey

RACE 9: (7) HIYAAM PROUD; (5) King Of Roseau; (16) Boltsaver; (18) Spione

RACE 10: (0) SHE'S UNUSUAL; (4) Elba; (13) Miss Kim Kar; (3) Drift Net

Why They Can Win….

RACE 2 - (5) FLYING EMBERS: Revelled in the heavy last time. Well placed to repeat with handy weight drop.

RACE 3 - (8) PLENITUDE: No luck at Gosford. Value play as the bigger track and heavy ground will suit.

RACE 5 - (15) TRAPALANDA: Worked home nicely second up. Getting into his rhythm for a stable that excels with imports.

RACE 6 - (8) EPIC PROPORTIONS: Sure to be better for strong first-up placing in the heavy. Favoured by similar conditions.

RACE 8 - (12) HOLLYWOOD HERO: Best distance and loves it wet. Can test them late with his weight advantage.

RACE 9 - (7) HIYAAM PROUD: Has done the groundwork for a first-up win. Rates well but wary of emergencies if they make the field.

RACE 10 - (10) SHE'S UNUSUAL: Fitter and she's a Heavy 10 winner in NZ. Return to her own sex gives her an edge.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 24

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Matima (R1)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Gumdrops (R1); Iknowastar (R9)

NOWRA SUNDAY: Nightsphere (R5)

NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Hawker Hall (R3)

BATHURST MONDAY: Sapphire Rose (R1); My Shareena (R1)

HAWKESBURY TUESDAY: Harry's Evidence (R2); Nightsphere (R2)

CANTERBURY WEDNESDAY: Central Coast; Long Legs; Miss Lola; Swordplay; Sapling; Lull; Frosty Girl; Sapphire Rose

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Change My Address; Caballus; Oh Diamond Lil; Tasoraay; I Am Brave; Carnegie Hill; Queen's Rhapsody; Lulumon; Agarwood; First Mission; Harlex; Yes Siree; Maori Chief; Caltsar; Mignonette; Roman Forum; Hawker Hall; Ellipsis; Silver Wedding; Secure; Placid Pearl; Need Some Luck; Famous One; Night Sky; Tiberius; Aerodrome

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL May 9: Renowned front runner IKNOWASTAR did his thing to win the fastest 1030m heat (61.03; 34.27), opening up a big lead after 300m and cruising home by almost eight lengths in his first trial since October. He's the winner of 10 of his 25 starts and is obviously going well but it must be noted he is yet to win in six first-up attempts. Shalaa filly SWORDPLAY is another sharp 2YO runner for the Baker stable. She's now won two trials and again showed natural speed to dominate the fastest 900m heat (54.06; 34.79), leading easily and booting clear ov er the last 200m to score by more than four lengths. The placegetters MISS LOLA and LONG LEGS are also worth following out of the juvenile heats.

NEWCASTLE May 7: HAWKER HALL lived up to his earlier trials when he won his maiden at Newcastle on April 23 and his reputation will grow after this impressive win in the fastest 800m heat (45.71; 33.17). Sped to a big lead and was cruising from the turn to coast home by 4.5 lengths with third horse 12 lengths away.

RANDWICK May 5: Confident Lonhro colt MATIMA is a good prospect for Godolphin. Won his only start at Hawkesbury last month and had plenty to offer in his 740m heat (45.42; 34.69) finishing an easy third under no pressure.

WARWICK FARM April 29: Mark down sharp 796m heat winner SWORDPLAY (47.03; 34.40) as one ready to perform when she debuts. Other 2YOs to make an impression included MY SHAREENA and NIGHTSPHERE

WARWICK FARM November 19: Blue Point filly SAPPHIRE ROSE won the fastest of the two 2YO heats over 802m (47.01; 33.62).

HAWKESBURY November 14: Godolphin's Exceed And Excel filly LULL won her juvenile heat over 800m in fast time (48.24; 33.73) and is set for a bold debut after she cruised to the line with plenty in reserve.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 23-24

GOLD COAST FRIDAY: Amosu (R3); Arisphere (R7)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: The Inflictor (R2); Appin Girl (R4); Vivy Air (R6); Adiella (R6); Churchill's Choice (R7); Osipenko (R8)

MURRAY BRIDGE SATURDAY: Hajra (R7)

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Sequista (R1); Hurstville Zagreb (R4); Epic Proposrtions (R6); Miss Jennifer R6); Miracle Spin (R7); Black Run (R7); Rapt (R8); Interjection (R9); Spione (R9); Captain Amelia (R10); Allapercanto (R10)

SANDOWN SATURDAY: Ruakaka Raider (R7); Oh Too Good (R9)

BLACKBOOKERS

(Selected May 17 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

BANANA SLIDE; GRAFTERBURNERS; HIGHBORN HARRY; PISANELLO; SPARKLING; THAMES; UNSTOPABULL; WHINCHAT

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Sunshine In Paris; Mary Eliza; On Display; Gentileschi; Photograph; Charm Stone; Regal Azmon; Jimmysstar; Movin Out; Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo; Benagil; Skyhook; Tom Kitten