The feature race of the day and the second of three Group 1 races scheduled for Randwick on Saturday. A field of seventeen line up and with no less than a dozen runners either having won or finished in the top four at their most recent start, it makes for a fantastic race. Sydney’s leading trainers Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller both have three runners entered but it could be Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter, represented by Streama ($7.00) and Toydini ($4.40 and favourite) who are both last start winners that may hold the key. Along with Boban ($4.80) they are the only runners under double figure odds.
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1. SINCERO – B. Avdulla (5)
The 6yo resumed off an eight month spell with a second to last in the G3 Tramway Stakes. Under 60.5kgs, he settled at the tail of the field in a race that was dominated by the leading pair. Second up, in the G1 George Main Stakes, he had his chance to do better than his eighth of nine (beaten 3.9 lengths) behind Streama. He ran eighth in the race last year after claiming both the Tramway and George Main but does not appear to be going as well this year.
2. VEYRON – C Reith (2)
Got a lovely trail behind the break-neck speed set by Rain Affair in the G2 Warwick Stakes three starts back, and was able to grab Streama right on the line to record a nose win. He then missed the start in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes and got back further then he would’ve liked from his good draw and finished ninth behind Hawspur. Got away cleanly last start, took up a forward position and toughed it out very well late to ran third behind Streama and Royal Descent in the G1 George Main Stakes. Drawn to go forward again and on his last effort has to be listed as a legitimate chance.
3. SACRED FALLS – K McEvoy (9)
The first of Chris Waller’s three runners, he rounded out his last campaign with victory in the G1 Doncaster Handicap (over this track/trip) on a heavy track carrying 53kgs. He returned to racing with an eye-catching effort finishing hard to run fourth behind Malavio and Bello in the G3 Tramway Stakes. He didn’t have the same ping second up last fortnight when finishing three lengths seventh from winner Streama in the G1 George Main Stakes. His third up record reads well and capable of improvement – especially with any sting out of the ground.
4. REKINDLED INTEREST – S Baster (4)
Returned after almost a year off at his favourite race track Moonee Valley three weeks ago, and did well to run 1 ½ length second to Le Bonsir (ran third in G1 Moir Stakes last Friday). Has a good second up record overall that includes placings in WFA races at G1 level however, none of those efforts have been off such a lengthy break. At his best, a forward showing would not surprise but can he produce that at only his second run in a year?
5. STREAMA – J Bowman (12)
An outstanding mare who finished among the place-getters, seven of her past nine starts and was rewarded with her consistency with victory in the WFA G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) last start. She had to run down Veyron and then hold off a strong challenge by Royal Descent but the Stratum mare dug deep, as she always does, to record a head victory. That was her second win from three starts this track/trip (both at G1 level) and it’s hard not to say that, with only 54.5kgs here (same weight she carried when third in this year’s Stradbroke behind Linton), that she will not add to that record here.
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6. TOYDINI – B Shinn (14)
Won both the G2 Phar Lap and G3 Carbine Club Stakes in impressive style as a 3yo and returned to racing with a very good effort first up in the G2 Warwick Stakes behind Veyron and Streama. He then stepped out several weeks later with 58kgs in the G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle recorded a strong 1 ¼ length win over High Esteem and Scream Machine. He drops to 54kgs here and was explosive third up last prep over this track/trip, defeating Hawkspur by 3 ¾ lengths in the Carbine Club. Has an awkward draw but only needs half a chance in the run to produce a strong finish.
7. RIVA DE LAGO – J Cassidy (17)
A consistent performer from Chris Waller’s yard who returned to racing off a fourteen week spell with a 3.1 length eighth behind Rebel Dane in the G3 Show County (1100m) at Warwick Farm. The combination of that run, the step up to 1400m and a solid tempo up front, resulted in him winning the G2 Theo Marks in good style by 2 ½ lengths at his next and most recent start, defeating Solzhenitsyn (ran third in the G1 Rupert Clarke last Sunday). The seven furlongs is his pet trip and only gets to a mile for the second time in his career. From the widest gate, he may find the trip a touch out of reach.
8. MALAVIO – N Berry (16)
Another who resumed in the G3 Show County (fourth 2 ½ lengths) and who then went on to win at his next start. He sat on the speed in the G3 Tramway Stakes and in a stirring finish, was able to get the better of Bello and hold off a couple of late challenges to score by a nose. Missed the start at his next and most recent outing and settled further back than he normally does before only holding his spot in the run to the line finishing 5.4 lengths behind Boban in the Bill Ritchie (G3). Gets good weight relief on last start and capable of bouncing back to form but would’ve been more confident if he had drawn a better gate than he has.
9. SIZZLING – T Clark (3)
Queensland galloper whose first two runs back from a spell in the G3 Show County (seventh behind Rebel Dane) and G3 Tramway Stakes (fifth behind Malavio carrying 60kgs) were both very good, closing well from the tail of the field. Those two efforts saw the Kelso Wood trained galloper sent out a 3/1 chance in the G3 Bill Ritchie but he failed to live up to the punter’s expectations and finished fourth, 4 ½ lengths from winner Boban. Subsequently reported to be sore after the race, so it may pay to forgive him for that run. From a good draw and a feather weight (53kgs), he could represent very good each-way value at $17.00
10. BOBAN – G Schofield (11)
The third of Waller’s runners, this son of Bernadini put together some neat effort over the winter carnival in Brisbane including a second to Platinum Kingdom in the G3 Fred Best (1350m). He certainly appreciated the break he had after that campaign judging by his two impressive wins since returning. He won a BM 90 (1300m) first up in a canter and stepped up to the G3 Bill Ritchie with an even more authoritative win (3 ¾ lengths) over Belltone. Has been afforded every opportunity in both runs but is flying at the moment and peaking at just the right time for this.
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11. LIDARI – P Robl (7)
Former European galloper who commenced his second Australian campaign for Trainer Peter Moody with an last to first win over 1400m at Caulfield, defeating High Esteem (second to Toydini in the Cameron Handicap). He then stepped up to WFA class of the G2 Dato’tan Chin Nam (1600m) and in limited space, finished well to run a neck third to Fiorente and Spacecraft. Drops 5.5kgs on that run, drawn to get a nice run mid-field from seven and appears to be over the odds at $15.00.
12. BELLTONE – J Ford (6)
The second of Kelso Woods’ runners, this 8yo has had three starts in Sydney since a winter campaign, started at big odds on each occasion but has produced efforts that belied his quotes. He found traffic at the point of the turn in his latest race, the G3 Bill Ritchie, and had to navigate his way back to the fence before finishing well to secure second behind Boban. His biggest win has been in the G3 BRC Sprint earlier this year and whilst capable of running a cheeky race from an inside draw, may found a couple in this field too slick.
13. SCREAM MACHINE – K O’Hara (10)
Returned from a sixteen week spell in the G3 Tramway Stakes and and had no luck at all getting a run in the straight before finishing tenth (beaten 3.2 lengths) behind Malavio. The 5yo trained by Jason Coyle, then ventured to Newcastle and ran third behind Toydini and High Esteem (both in good form) when having to make his run along the fence, not the ideal spot to be. Third up last prep he finished sixth behind Skyerush in the G3 Doncaster Prelude. Could be a lightweight chance to fill a place.
14. YOUR HONOUR – (8)
After an impressive finishing effort resuming from a ten month break in a Lakeside RST 78 (1200m) race, where he finished two lengths fourth behind stable-mate Hosting (since won), he was taken to Sydney by trainer Greg Eurell for a tilt at the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m). From the tail of the field, he finished in impressive style again to claim third behind Riva De Lago and Solzhenitsyn and, off of that effort was installed 2./1 favourite for his next and most recent start in the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) last week. From a widish barrier however, he was caught three wide with no cover before moving up to join the leaders on the turn. Not much went right last start and best to go off the Theo Marks runs as the true indication of his chances.
15. ASHOKAN – (15)
The son of More Than Ready, and first of Gai Waterhouse’s trio of runners, is still searching for his second career win, at this his nineteenth race start. He led in his two most recent starts, the G3 Bill Ritchie and G2 Shannon Stakes but found to be wanting late over the concluding stages in both. This is definitely no easier than those races and from a wide draw, he’ll again be vulnerable late.
16. ECUADOR – T Berry (13)
Promising type by High Chaparral who won a mid-week Canterbury BM 70 by four before producing another strong three length win at Rosehill in a BM 75 (1800m). Those two victories saw him step out as odds-on favourite to make it three in a row when a BM 80 (1900m) but, as he had done previously, found that leading the field under the stedier of 60kgs was too much. He ran second to Multilateral (who carried 54kgs) by ¾ length. No doubting has above average ability but a race of this quality, at this stage of his career, appears too much.
17. SPURTONIC – J Collett (1)
Returned to racing off a twenty-three week spell by stringing three wins together (at Canterbury, Hawkesbury and Randwick) before stepping up in class for a shot at the G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m). The Cameron represented a drop of 500m on his previous start and that told late where, after having a good run in transit, he was only able to hold his ground in the run to the line and finished fourth (beaten 2.4 lengths). He meets Toydini worse at the weights today and not sure if he’ll have the gate speed to hold the advantage of this inside draw.
OVERVIEW
As is the case with each Randwick mile feature, this is a fantastic race! There are a host of chances but sticking with the proven G1 and WFA performers, Streama and Veyron, both representing good value. Streama doesn’t know how to run a bad race and with the weight she’s been allocated here, has to be included. Veyron was excellent in the Warwick Stakes, had excuses in the Chelmsford, and was gallant leading from a wide draw last start in the G1 George Main. Has drawn perfectly in two and should be in the right spot turning for home. Hard to fault his form and the $21 on offer appears generous. Further down the list and Guy Walter’s other runner Toydini looks set to produce. Good form, good weight drop, peaks third up… the only concern would be how far back he gets from gate fourteen but we’ll leave that up to Shinn. Shinn and Walter combined have an outstanding strike rate. Boban rounds out the numbers after two exceptionally wins. This is a step up in class again but he’s flying and won both starts with something to spare. Lidari the next best but could mention another half dozen who wouldn’t surprise if they won.
- STREAMA
- VEYRON
- TOYDINI
- BOBAN