AUTUMN racing is in the air with plenty of stakes racing action this Saturday at Randwick. The Apollo Stakes sees the return of 2015 Cox Plate champion Winx which will have the short-priced punters buzzing.
There is also quality racing in the Light Fingers for the three-year-olds and the Triscay Stakes where the likes of Peeping and Slightly Sweet make their eagerly-awaited returns.
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Race 1 – Huawei Lonhro Plate (1100m)
The Garry Frazer-trained Spright finished three lengths behind Honesty Prevails on debut and it has been well backed for this. The filly by Hinchinbrook didn’t fire out of the gates and was left chasing throughout the 1100m race, but it ran on well enough to suggest a good run is coming in this. Inside draw with a light weight, chance at $4.80 in the betting.
Prized Icon is the current favourite at $2.50 after two starts for two thirds. The James Cummings-trained colt ran 3.5 lengths behind Capitalist on debut in the Listed Breeders Plate and it ran third again behind the unbeaten Scarlet Rain last start. It looks a big winning chance here with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.
Telperion wasn’t disgraced on debut behind Yankee Rose and it will be improved by the run. The Godolphin colt went forward at Rosehill and was run down late, but it didn’t have much peace in front and McDonald takes over the riding now. Punters are confident at $3.80.
Tip: Prized Icon to win ($2.50) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Liberty International Light Fingers (1200m)
Stay With Me resumes after a campaign which featured a Group 1 1000 Guineas win at Caulfield. It kicks off at the sprint distance here where it has won two from three starts and it usually finds form quickly off a spell. The filly by Street Cry will likely settle back in the field and run home strongly, so consider for win bets at $4.40.
Ghisoni is an unbeaten filly for John O’Shea which hasn’t been tested in two runs to date. The daughter of Lonhro won by 1.75 lengths on debut and by 1.5 lengths last start at Rosehill. It looks a natural type with plenty in store and it should be ready to face some classy rivals in this. Bookmakers have it as the equal $3.70 favourite which suggests a good run is in order.
Kangarilla Joy has been good this campaign, winning both starts and looking ultra-impressive at Randwick last start. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly cruised past its rivals to record a 1.25-length win over Hebden and that form should stack up nicely for this. Bowman rides and it sits on the first line of betting at $3.70.
Tip: Ghisoni to win ($3.70) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – DX Solutions Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
Generalife currently shares favouritism at $3.50 after finishing second at group 2 level last start and it goes well in a fresh up state. The John O’Shea-trained gelding has won twice fresh, but it hasn’t won in four attempts on this track which is concerning. Its form last preparation included placings in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, Stradbroke Handicap and the Heffernan Stakes, which bodes very well for this. Track form is worrying, but punters will likely back it.
Rich Enuff shares favouritism with Generalife, but punters will be wanting to see more from it this campaign. After switching from the Ken Keys stables to the Snowden’s, punters are expecting a much better outing from the four-year-old which showed so much potential earlier on in its career. Class can take it a long way and this looks a suitable fresh up target. Chance at $3.50.
Boss Lane is the fit runner having won well at Randwick last start. The Ron Quinton-trained gelding is a five-time winner on this track and comes into this having won by two lengths against a handy field last time out. Its form reads well, but whether or not it’s up to this grade is another question. Bookmakers have it safe in the market at $5.50.
Tip: Rich Enuff to win ($3.50) at Bet365.com.au
Race 7 – Optus Business Apollo Stakes (1400m)
Winx resumes after winning the Group 1 Cox Plate at its last start and punters have climbed into the short price available. The four-year-old champion mare has now won three group 1’s and running fresh has never worried it in the slightest. It has won three from four fresh up and it will get a soft trip from the inside barrier. It opened at $1.55 and is currently at $1.50, which is better than the $1.40 some bookmakers are offering.
Solicit looms as a major danger after running second behind Our Boy Malachi last start in the Group 2 Expressway. The five-year-old has plenty of class and it was a good winner two back at Sandown which should be a good form guide for this. It will likely head forward and give Winx something to catch. It’s safe in the market at $6.
Centre Pivot is an eight-win gelding which hasn’t been tested against this quality of opposition, but does loom as a place chance at nice odds. The Peter Robl-trained gelding hasn’t missed a win or place in three starts on this track and it would want a firm track to show its best. It didn’t get much luck at the Magic Millions meeting last start so consider here at $3.20 for the place.
Tip: Winx to win ($1.50) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m)
Ron Quinton lines up Peeping which is resuming after an inconsistent but good campaign. The four-year-old mixed its form, but it was good enough to win the Group 2 Gold Pendant at Rosehill. It has been punished in the weights at 59kg which makes it tough for a lighter-framed mare, but plenty is expected this campaign so don’t discount its chances at $3.80.
Private Secretary looks set for a win after finishing strongly at the Gold Coast last start. The Gregory Hickman-trained mare likes to get back in the running before producing a solid sprint. At the light weight of 54kg it should have every chance to fly down the outside. Well drawn and should be tough to beat at $3.30.
Slightly Sweet resumes on a track where it has won twice from three starts. The Jason Coyle-trained mare finished 10th in the Myer Classic last start, but it will find this much easier and it has a handy record in a fresh state. Drawing the inside barrier brings it right into contention and punters have supported it well at $5.50 in the betting. Win chance.
Tip: Private Secretary to win ($3.30) at WilliamHill.com.au