By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 & rail out 6m
RACE 1
4. Call Me Mojo is a lightly raced and improving three-year-old who can peak third-up over 100m further and on a nice weight drop. Has run home well in two runs back when solid enough in the market, and fitter now on a bigger track is the breakthrough recipe. 7. Endure is an emerging filly for the leading stable, and draws to be right in the finish after hitting the line impressively on debut at Newcastle when well-supported at double figure odds. 1. Blue Vein heads the rest, resuming off a long break behind two trial wins. 3. West Head who went under narrowly at the provincials as a hot favourite and 5. Sunshine Law resuming for a second prep off two improving trials are in the each-way mix.
How to play it: Call Me Mojo to win
Racing returns to Randwick on Boxing Day.Credit: Getty Images
RACE 2
This looks the domain of talented filly 8. Queen’s Rhapsody, a stablemate of the previous on top selection, third-up in her first full prep. Stiff not to have won, beating all bar the winner at Canterbury in two outings this prep, and again draws to get a lovely passage behind the leader. 6. Crepe Myrtle, a progressive filly from the Godolphin yard, must be kept safe at her third start. 4. Alliri is also tracking to breakthrough with good weight relief having placed in three runs so far, and again drawn to find a handy trail. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Signor Tortoni on debut behind two progressive trials.
How to play it: Queen’s Rhapsody to win
RACE 3
7. Omnic has been close-up in two runs off a freshening, and desperate for more ground now, being by Proisir. Will relish getting back on the bigger track, and can produce a superior final 300m surge here ridden quieter. 1. Altair I Am has been in and around the money in three runs this prep, and also suited up to the mile with blinkers going on. 2. Simply Nutbush is a mile over the odds after charging home late second-up in a weaker maiden when heavily backed. 10. Pick Up The Tab hit the line impressively second-up, and yearning for more ground. 11. Rampazetto peaks third-up over a furlong further.
How to play it: Omnic to win
RACE 4
8. Tuileries rates as one of the better bets all day, despite climbing sharply to BM 72 level after a dominant Super Maiden win when resuming at Canterbury. Again drawn to get cover just off the speed over a shade further before producing superior acceleration from the top of the lane. 2. Drift Net is the logical threat having placed in all four runs this prep, the latest beaten narrowly after leading in deeper grade, but does go up 4. 5kg. 4. Imposant is on the next line resuming off two trials, and another one nominated too for a stronger race on Saturday, ahead of 3. Bindi’s Choice who is hard fit and hit the line powerfully in weaker company last start.
How to play it: Tuileries to win
RACE 5
6. Vanessi is a lightly raced filly who commands a tonne of respect here after blitzing her opposition at Canterbury second-up. Even better suited back to the 1000m given she’s bred for power and speed being by Too Darn Hot out of an Anabaa mare. Likely to run here rather than a deeper race on Saturday. 5. Unconquerable has to get across from a wide barrier, but she’s smart when on the fresh side, and tuned up for this with two trials wins. 10. Art’s Alive is each-way value stepping up from a first-up CL1 win at Kembla, while home tracker 1. Zouripper 1st-up off two forward trials, and at big odds country raider 2. Octavian Treasure resuming, can both add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Vanessi to win
RACE 6
6. Storm The Ramparts has found an ideal race first-up for a top sprinting stable. Hasn’t started since a close second on the Kensington track in late April, but tuned up with two progressive trials, and comes to hand in a heartbeat. Leading jockey from the trial sticks solid, and he should find a stalking trail just off the speed. 8. Don’t Doubt Merlin won two straight up to BM 64 provincial level before an even effort in BM 72 grade at Warwick Farm. 1. Frilled is a big watch 33 days between runs and coming back from an unplaced effort in Group 3 Saturday company. Doubt the winner comes from anywhere else, but 2. Audette resuming and 7. Extravagant Lad fourth-up behind handy country form, can both figure for minor money.
How to play it: Storm The Ramparts to win
RACE 7
8. Floating is an iron horse heading into his ninth start this prep in the feature Group 3, and presents over the odds from a low draw. Bolted away with the Listed ATC Cup two starts ago before a tenacious effort covering ground in the Listed Christmas Cup. Backs up in 10 days, handles all ground, and this is likely to be his final run before spelling. 10. Tavi Time is the most talented stayer in the race, although not much has gone to plan since a dominant BM 88 win in mid-October. Hit the line hard last start, and right in this from a handy draw. 11. Townsend is smart and has trialled well since running home okay behind Floating in the ATC Cup. 2. Naval College comes back in distance, with weight relief fifth-up. 4. Osipenkpo, improves sharply from a soft draw after doing his best work late in the Group 2 Ingham.
How to play it: Floating to win
RACE 8
5. Winston Hills is well-placed to make it two straight this prep. Returned off a long break and two winning trials to charge home and thrash a handy BM 72 field at Canterbury, and this is no stronger for a galloper who has bigger fish to fry, although was also nominated for Saturday’s meeting. 3. Headley Grange is unbeaten first-up, and serious value behind two easy trials. 9. Jambalaya will need to tuck in from a wide gate, but was game third-up chasing home a smart one. 7. The Replicant second-up and down in weight is on the next line.
How to play it: Winston Hills to win
BEST BETS: R4 8. TUILERIES
R5 6. VANESSI
BEST VALUE: R3 7. OMNIC
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