By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
7. Pleasure Queen brings some handy trial performances into her debut, latest trial she worked home into a close third in a 900m heat at Rosehill. Can see her getting a nice run from the draw. 9. Spice Prawn is a very well-bred filly who has been behind the placings in her two trials, and she poked home well behind Pleasure Queen almost a month ago. 1. Scrumptious has had the race experience from debuting in the Gimcrack and returns on the back of two trials. Doesn’t appear to be an on-pacer so it will be interesting to see where she ends up.
How to play it: Pleasure Queen WIN
The Kensington track at Randwick will host Thursday’s meeting.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
Top-weight 1. Invincible Phantom has looked sharp leading all the way to win both trials in recent weeks. Given a bit of a sound out in the latest and stretched out in good style. Likely finds the fence first here and can expect him to run well. 2. Grand Prairie has improved with each trial and ran into second in the latest of those. Drawn the inside and if he continues to improve he could be in the finish. 10. Canal is a big watch first-up since debuting at Bendigo back in November. Has trialled twice in Victoria, draws well in this and could measure up.
How to play it: Invincible Phantom WIN
Race 3
7. Meridiana looks a smart filly in the making, and she’s found the line nicely in her two recent trials, streaking away to win the latest. The trip looks to be ideal given her breeding, and she’s drawn to do no work early. 5. Fleeting Spirit is the horse to beat on exposed form with a big improvement when second at Rosehill two weeks ago. She was solid in betting there and the step up in trip should be in her favour. 8. Tempranillo chased Meridiana home when second in her latest trial, asked to show a bit more than her previous.
How to play it: Meridiana WIN
Race 4
9. Siesta showed a bit of promise in Victoria in three starts in the spring with seconds at each appearance. There was plenty to like about the way she put away her rivals in a recent Warwick Farm trial under no pressure, and she should go close first-up. 8. Mia Ballerina has been racing consistently without winning with three placings this time in and barrier one gives her every chance to be in the finish again. 7. Happy Bellie led as an odds-on favourite when runner-up at Gosford first-up form a spell. Fitter and down a little in weight.
How to play it: Siesta WIN
Race 5
6. Yankee One enjoyed a nice run off the speed and when in the clear she sprinted nicely to score first-up at Canterbury. Up sharply in weight but is back to mares grade, drawn okay and can only be fitter. 2. Seascape should prove hard to beat first-up since starting in the market in a group 3 at Flemington before a spell. Nothing wrong with her trials and 3kg off a plus. Definite chance. 11. Joyner was a shade disappointing when resuming as an odds-on favourite behind Yankee One at Canterbury. Seemed to have her chance but have to respect the support for her then.
How to play it: Yankee One EACH-WAY
Race 6
6. Wallenda put the writing on the wall that he’s ready to win with a slashing second at Rosehill behind Boston Rocks. He charged late after being held up to just miss. Third in that race was Enriched so the form is good. 1. Piastri beat Wallenda at Caulfield three starts back then scored at Rosehill over this trip. Rested after a failure at Moonee Valley in September and has been trialling at Cranbourne. 8. Misty Legend resumed with a strong finishing win at Warwick Farm over 1000m three weeks ago. Must rate a big chance on that with the only query all three wins have been first-up and he’s yet to place second-up.
How to play it: Wallenda WIN
Race 7
9. Wrathful was well-supported second-up when running into fourth at Warwick Farm over a mile. Gets some weight relief here and while staying at a similar trip might not be ideal there looks enough speed for him to be effective if you can make ground. 6. Don Pedro is hard to knock on two easy wins at Warwick Farm over 1400m since his first-up run here back in January. One of the major chances. 10. Flying Thinker also comes off a win having led all the way to score at Rosehill two weeks ago and the form is okay with Pocketing coming out of the race to win.
How to play it: Wrathful EACH-WAY
Race 8
15. United Kingdom threatened to win one last time in but just couldn’t quite get it done. Resumes as a gelding at a suitable trip and liked the way he stretched out late in his most recent trial. Any support would be encouraging. 12. It’s A Wonder won well when resuming at Hawkesbury and has bobbed up a couple of times since including last start when narrowly beaten in a Midway at Rosehill. The winner there has since run well. 10. Climb The Ladder was a slight drifter when fourth behind Don Pedro at his Sydney debut at Warwick Farm where he led and knocked up.
How to play it: United Kingdom EACH-WAY
Best Bets
Race 4 (9) Siesta
Race 6 (6) Wallenda
Best Value
Race 8 (15) United Kingdom
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
