Eight races will be run and won at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday, July 28th.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 – 12:25pm – Vinery Stud Handicap (1000m)
There’s hardly any form to divulge ahead of the first at Randwick-Kensington on Saturday and at publish, plenty of debutants are prominent in betting.
I’m happy to sit back and watch, with a view towards something later in the season.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – Admire Mars At Arrowfield Handicap (1100m)
Fayerra is a seven-start maiden, but she ended her debut prep fourth in Group 1 company, and she can get the monkey off her back at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The Valentia filly hasn’t been seen at the races for more than a year, but she raced well around many of her age group’s best, and was fourth behind King’s Legacy in the Champagne Stakes.
She’s had the benefit of a nice trial in the lead-up to her return and I am happy to have something on.
Race 3 – 1:35pm – Ranvet Handicap (2400m)
Shuffle Up has improved for each of his four starts back this time, and he is ready to win at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding missed more than two years of racing after finishing second behind Ringerdingding in the 2019 Carbine Club Stakes, and while he clearly needed his first couple back this time to tune up, he has finished in the placings at his last two.
He strikes this race in peak fitness, gets some relief in the weights under Jean Van Overmeire and is drawn to receive every chance from barrier 2.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – Darley Supporting Catwalk Handicap (1150m)
No Laughing Matter looms as a key winning chance in the fourth at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The Kris Lees-trained filly stripped fitter with a couple of fair efforts first and second up, but charged in to score at Warwick Farm late last month, before finishing second in BM64 company last time.
She looks to be at peak fitness for this contest, she’s drawn to receive a lovely run and will get some relief in the weights under Tom Sherry.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – China Horse Club Handicap (1150m)
I’m happy to give Grenado another chance third-up at Randwick-Kensington.
Pierro gelding’s fresh effort for fourth at Warwick Farm last month was eye-catching, but it is fair to say that he was a little flat when fifth in a similar contest at Canterbury last time.
I’m confident that he’ll enjoy plenty more improvement for that effort and she gets into this well under the conditions.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – Sky Racing Handicap (1400m)
This is a drop in class for Charretera and he can return to winning form.
The five-year-old son of Epaulette has had four starts back this time and has found form around some above-average gallopers, in Saturday metropolitan races.
A repeat of his effort to finish second, beaten a nose by Mirra Vision at Rosehill two starts back would be enough to win this.
Race 7 – 3:55pm – Heineken Handicap (1550m)
Miss Einstein will take winning form into the penultimate race in Sydney on Wednesday and looks well placed to make it two in a row.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare only just missed in Saturday company at Rosehill when returning from a let-up in June, and never got into the race two starts back, should couldn’t have been more impressive last time.
I think that these midweek BM72 races are about her level and with even luck, she’ll take plenty of beating again.
Race 8 – 4:30pm – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m)
This is a drop in class for Exotic Ruby and I am happy to give her another chance.
The Snitzel mare doesn’t win out of turn, but she also rarely races poorly, and she has typically contested tougher races than this one recently.
She’s rock-hard fit and her claims on winning have been enhanced with the booking of James McDonald.
