We’re back to Royal Randwick on Saturday, July 25th for another strong ten-race program.
The weather has continued to improve in Sydney this week and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range, with further improvements likely.
Check out our Randwick tip sheet below.
Letters Patent has only made two appearances at the races since debuting, but after working home well to fill the minors behind Omolong at Warwick Farm in June, he was a dominant Newcastle maiden winner last time out. Fitter third-up, he can go on with it.
| 5. Letters Patent (2) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 31T: Chris Waller | |||
| Had two starts to date. At debut, sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Osc on June 24 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Omolong carrying 57kg at $12. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Newcastle 2yo Mdn July 11 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Hitch with 58kg at $3.60. Racing well. Progressing well and can measure up again with the fitness edge. | |||
| 1. Moon Sweeper (15) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 32212T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 at this track H’way Cl3sw on July 11 over 1600m, on a wet track; 0.5 len behind Leovanni carrying 56kg at $1.50. The race before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 3 len at Rosehill Highway-C3 Sw May 30 over 1500m on a heavy track defeating Hammoon Sensation carrying 57.5kg at $2.25. Fitter now with the key jockey change, go close. | |||
| 8. Maples (5) J: William Stanley 57kg 111T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| Unbeaten in three career starts. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Scone Bm58 July 10 over 1700m in soft going defeating Dark Justice with 60.5kg at $2.35. The race before that favourite; won by a neck at Scone Bm58 June 29 over 1700m on a rain affected track defeating Ocean Tsunami carrying 58kg at $2.90. Undefeated in three runs and deserves her chance in town. | |||
All Star recorded consecutive victories in maiden and Class 1 company, while he loomed like the winner in a BM72 at Warwick Farm last time out before being completely hampered for a run, in what was a total forgive performance. He was scratched from a midweek metro race at Canterbury to instead take his place here, and down in the weights, I think he’s a live chance of justifying that decision.
| 11. All Star (12) J: Tyler Schiller 54.5kg 42115T: Fabio Martino | |||
| Most recently got back early 5th of 10 at Warwick Farm Cg&E Bm72 on July 15 over 1600m, 2 len behind Iceman carrying 56kg at $7.50. Before that ran on from midfield and won by 2.5 len at Kembla Grange Prov Cl1 June 20 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Dynast King carrying 59kg at $3.50. On the up and keep safe. | |||
Having filled the minors on debut at Pakenham in February, Mahershala was immediately put away and returned to action with an easy win in maiden company at Seymour. He franked that performance by betting up again, this time in BM66 company at Sandown, booking a ticket into Saturday metro company. As long as he handles the opposite way of going, he looks to have enough upside to go on with it in a race of this quality.
| 5. Mahershala (4) J: Zac Lloyd 58kg 3×11T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today. Resuming favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Seymour Mdn-Sw June 11 over 1000m in soft going defeating Mathletes with 59.5kg at $1.35. Second-up favourite; won by 2 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm66 July 8 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Regal Might carrying 58.5kg at $3.50. Nicely placed to remain undefeated this time in. | |||
Satono Jasmine broke her maiden in dominant fashion at Gosford last month and that has seemingly opened the floodgates, given she has since recorded another two victories in BM64 and BM72 company respectively. She faces another rise in class this weekend but in peak order, this is the perfect opportunity for her to transition into Saturday metro company.
| 9. Satono Jasmine (10) J: Chad Schofield 55.5kg 54111T: Brad Widdup | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by 0.9 len at Warwick Farm F&M Bm72 July 15 over 1600m defeating Deep Pleasure carrying 58kg at $6. The race before that won by 4 len at Hawkesbury Bm64 July 2 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Squeezebox carrying 57kg at $4.60. Rates highly. Hard to stop in this vein of form. | |||
Sly Boots is yet to strike this time in, but several recent performances have suggested another victory isn’t fat away, and he was last seen filling the minors behind a very impressive Tazima here at Randwick. An improving track certainly wouldn’t hinder his chances, with the extra furlong should also prove beneficial.
| 3. Sly Boots (9) J: Rachel King 59.5kg 64843T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Most recently raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 11 at this track Bm88 on July 11 over 1800m, on heavy track; 5.5 len behind Tazima carrying 54.5kg at $5. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 13 at this track Bm88 on June 20 over 1800m, slow going 2.75 len behind Tazima carrying 55kg at $10. Going okay but will struggle from the gate. | |||
Benevac has improved noticeably with each of four runs back from a break, culminating in a sharp performance to strike in a similar race here at Randwick a fortnight ago, greeting the judge nearly three lengths ahead of his rivals. While he does rise slightly in the weights, he’s hard fit and need only hold his form to be in the finish again.
| 1. Benevac (3) J: Siena Grima 61.5kg x3221T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Last start won by 2.75 len at this track 3yo Bm72 July 11 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Zoufame carrying 57.5kg at $2.70. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 at Rosehill 3yo Bm72 on June 27 over 1100m, slow going nose behind Lighthouse Lass carrying 58.5kg at $4.60. Hard to stop in this rich vein of form. | |||
Lugh’s first run back when fifth, beaten a little more than two lengths by the likes of Cool Jakey here last month was full of merit, but he did finish on the placegetters’ heels here a fortnight ago, in a race that I thought he was well suited to. That said, he was five weeks between runs and I am confident it will have brought him right back on, while the rise to a mile should also suit, if that latest performance was any indication.
| 3. Lugh (14) J: Siena Grima 60.5kg 13×54T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up 5th of 14 at this track Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Cool Jakey with 58kg at $4.60. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 at this track Bm88 on July 11 over 1400m, on heavy track; 2.75 len behind Mickey’s Medal with 59kg at $3. Has ability and is sure to be competitive. | |||
Ice Kool has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, winning four of five starts and finding form around some excellent horses, particularly this time in. He’s been kept up to the mark with a trial since his latest competitive appearance in June and just needs even luck in the run to take a power of beating once more.
| 5. Ice Kool (9) J: Jay Ford 58.5kg 17×11T: David Pfieffer | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.25 len at this track Bm78 June 6 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Big Red Tequila carrying 56.5kg at $2.30. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 0.5 len at this track Bm78 June 20 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Petticoat carrying 60kg at $1.50. Undefeated this prep and expected to go close. | |||
Smashing Time has recorded two wins from four runs back this time, finishing the runner up on the other two occasions. Having finished second behind stakes winner Dark Glitter at Rosehill at his latest appearance, he steps out this week in peak order, looks well placed over the 1300m and can fight out the finish again.
| 4. Smashing Time (13) J: Adam Hyeronimus 61kg x2112T: Robert & Luke Price | |||
| Most recently set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 12 at Rosehill Bm88 on July 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Dark Glitter with 52kg at $2.70. The run before that favourite; won by 2.25 len at Rosehill Midway Bm72 June 13 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Zounaka carrying 57kg at $2.25. Place best from the sticky gate. | |||
Best – Race 4 No. 4 King Of The Sea
Next Best – Race 9 No. 1 Lyles
Value – Race 2 No. 9 My Phar Lady
