The Listed Carrington Stakes headlines another ten-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday, January 22nd.
The rail will be set out eight metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
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Race 1 – 12:25pm – Petaluma Handicap (1100m)
There is a case to be made for a few gallopers engaged in the first on Carrington Stakes Day, but I think that Subterranean’s class edge will prove to difference.
He hasn’t been seen at the races since spring, but Subterranean has been a good horse for the Matt Dunn stable since debuting, and he won at Group 3 level during his two-year-old season most notably.
This is a drop in class from what he was contested last time, and he has raced well when fresh previously.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – Heineken 3 Handicap (1000m)
A capacity field of two-year-olds has been taken for Race 2 on Carrington Stakes Day, and just five of the fourteen confirmed starters have previous experience.
With several debutants prominent in the market, I am happy to stay out and watch, with a view towards something later in the season.
Race 3 – 1:35pm – Highway Handicap (1100m)
This week’s Highway Handicap is a typically open affair, with a case to be made for several gallopers, including Shelby Sixtysix.
Shelby Sixtysix has returned some nice efforts this time in, and he has finished second in a couple of races not dissimilar to this one, most notably.
He steps out this weekend with a month between runs, but I am confident that he’ll take plenty of beating regardless.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – City Tattersalls Group Handicap (1600m)
And We Danced will take plenty of improvement into this mile Handicap, and I think that she’ll take plenty of beating.
The three-year-old daughter of Wrote showed ability during a brief debut prep in New Zealand last year, breaking her maiden, and I thought that there was a lot to like about her Australian debut a fortnight ago, in which she finished just over a head second behind Arctic Thunder.
She is drawn and weighted ideally and can go one better.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – Midway Handicap (1800m)
The Midway Handicap is also a wide open contest this week, but I am going to give Viren another chance to strike.
Viren has been a consistent performer without recording an elusive win recently, and he was unlucky not to get then in a photo finish at Warwick Farm last time.
Most of these horses are stepping up from the midweeks, but this bloke is rock-hard fit, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – Precise Air Handicap (2000m)
Toomuchtobear has returned to the races in typically strong form this time, and he is primed to strike again at Randwick on Saturday.
The Press Statement gelding has been a good horse for the Waller yard since debuting, missing a place only once in nine starts and winning four times.
His first-up effort this time was excellent, he was unlucky not to win again on New Year’s Day, and I think that getting out to 2000m at this point of his prep with prove absolutely ideal.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – ACY Securities Handicap (1100m)
Lancaster Bomber is as tough as they come, and I think that he can make a real impact first-up at Randwick on Carrington Stakes Day.
Lancaster Bomber was a model of consistency last time in, and he found form around some quality gallopers in races like this one.
His fresh record is competitive, he gets some relief in the weights under Tyler Schiller, and he is drawn to receive a lovely run.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m)
The feature race has drawn a smart field of fourteen gallopers and True Detective is the one that I want to be with.
He has been a little frustrating for punters throughout his career, but there is no denying True Detective’s ability when he puts it all together, and that was the case when leading home a BM88 field at Rosehill first-up a fortnight ago.
The form out of that race has been franked with second-placed Tycoonist running second in the Magic Millions Snippets last weekend, and this looks a lovely feature race for True Detective.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Ranvet Handicap (1600m)
Yiyi steps out second-up in the penultimate race on Carrington Stakes Day, and it looks the perfect race for him.
The No Nay Never gelding didn’t miss placing in seven starts last time in, winning on four occasions.
His resuming effort was eye-catching, and saw him finish second behind the talented Kinsheir at Rosehill Gardens.
Given that his condition just gave out a little on that occasion, I am confident that he will find the improvement to win on Saturday.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Bowermans Handicap (1400m)
Bring The Ransom filled the minors behind True Detective and Tycoonist a fortnight ago, and I am confident that the form will hold up in this race as well.
Bring The Ransom didn’t show a lot when she failed to beat a runner home here first-up, but she was obviously far better last time out, and she is open to more improvement.
There isn’t as much depth in this race and it looks a great chance for her to record a Saturday metro win.
