It’s one of the best days of racing in Australia with the $20 million The Everest headlining a cracking card at Randwick.
The feature is ably supported by the King Charles III Stakes and The Kosciuszko.
Race 1 – 12:30PM G3 BISLEY WORKWEAR REGINALD ALLEN QUALITY (1400 METRES)
History suggests there’s a future Group 1 winner in this race, with horses like Aeliana, Joliestar, Fangirl and Forbidden Love coming out of the race in recent years.
Miles Of Glory (8) looks to be a horse with plenty of upside on what she showed last start at Kembla. Needed every bit of the 1200m to get the win, so the extra trip looks to suit and she maps to get a good run just behind the speed.
Snitzel Dancer (3) beat Spring Champion Stakes favourite Shangri La Boy on debut before running second to veteran galloper Rapbidash at start two. Lost no admirers in defeat that day and should be peaking here.
I’m not giving up on Kakadu Sunset (1) as a decent horse despite going down as a short priced favourite in a four horse field last start. There’s a lack of pace here and she should be able to find her way straight to the front. Will be ready to peak third-up out to 1400m.
Samarelle (5) was savaging the line last start at Kembla over the 1400m off a six-week freshen up. Can settle a touch closer to the speed from barrier one and finish off strongly again.
Verdict: Hard race but will back Miles Of Glory (8) to win.
Race 2 – 1:05PM G3 DELTA BUILDING AUTOMATION ST LEGER STAKES (2600 METRES)
Whenever William Haggas brings one here, you bet up. He’s brought over Sam Hawkens (9) with his spring team and the horse rides a three-race win streak into this. There’s a bit of rain about on Friday and it will no doubt suit this bloke.
There’s not heaps of speed in the race and I’ve got Travolta (7) leading. Comes out of The Metrop when running well, finishing 1.5L off the winner. Query at the trip but will be afforded every opportunity to run it out.
More Felons (6) ran a big race at odds in The Metrop, flashing home from the tail to run fourth. The extra distance is guaranteed to suit him and he’s drawn to get a soft run.
Wyclif (8) can mix his form but I thought he was good last start.
Verdict: Sam Hawkens (9) to win.
Race 3 – 1:40PM BIG DANCE WILD CARD (1600 METRES)
Barring the Epsom Handicap last start, I keep tipping Swiftfalcon (5) but he keeps running super. Held up in the Cameron in a good form race behind Headley Grange prior to finishing fourth to Autumn Glow and he probably should have gone closer. His racing pattern makes it hard, but he’s a Group 1 horse and I’ll put faith in him one more time.
Vivy Air (6) hasn’t won in about two years but has rarely put in a poor performance since. Good run first-up off a nine week break when second to Headley Grange and as mentioned above, that form is good.
Major Beel (3) has made a habit over the last few seasons of running a big race first-up. He’ll put himself up on the speed and give his all.
The best of Detonator Jack (2) is good enough but he’s a hard horse to catch.
Verdict: Swiftfalcon (5) should be winning.
Race 4 – 2:15PM G3 ASAHI SUPER DRY ANGST STAKES (1600 METRES)
Idle Flyer (10) lost no admirers in defeat last start when Perfumist (7) got a way with it up front. Should be right at her top fourth-up and sticking at a mile. Just needs luck from the barrier.
Perfumist (7) likely won’t get the lead all to herself this time but you’ve got to have her in the finish based on what she did to them last start.
Polymnia (12) has turned in two good runs this time in, both in the same races as Idle Flyer. She too is drawn off the track but will enjoy a hot speed.
Dominetta (14) next best.
Verdict: Idle Flyer (10) to win.
Race 5 – 2:50PM THE KOSCIUSZKO (1200 METRES)
I’ve had Clear Thinking (11) winning this race for quite some time. Set for this first-up and that’s probably where she’s been at her best. Randwick is perfect for her and there is plenty of speed here that she can capitalise on.
Highway Strip (10) is a complete nutcase but he has the talent to win this race. We saw that when he ran Clear Thinking to half a length earlier this year. If he puts it all together, he can run a massive race at $51.
Compelling Truth (3) ran second to Angel Capital first-up, beating Miraval Rose. You won’t find many better formlines than that.
Front Page (1) isn’t getting any younger … he’s now a nine-year-old. Obviously a classy horse but I think he might have come to the end of it.
Verdict: Clear Thinking (11) to win.
Race 6 – 3:25PM G3 TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES (1200 METRES)
Generosity (15) wouldn’t be out of place in The Everest. She was luckless first-up before running third to Joliestar and Briasa in the Shorts. There’s a stack of early pressure in this and she’s got the turn of foot and class to capitalise on it.
Golden Mile (3) is right up to this. Narrowly beaten by Joliestar two back in the Kingsford Smith Cup and she’s probably going to win The Everest.
Iowna Merc (1) will be fitter from his first-up effort in the Premiere Stakes. Drawn to get the gun run and well over the odds at $18.
Libertad (6) always runs well first-up from a break.
Verdict: Generosity (15) to win.
Race 7 – 4:15PM G1 THE TAB EVEREST (1200 METRES)
I’ve been the number one ticket holder in the Joliestar (9) fan club since before she won the Thousand Guineas (I’ve got the receipts). Thought she would get back first-up and run a really good race to have her primed for this. She did exactly that but along with getting back, was four wide and then flogged them by more than a length. She’s never gone better and I think the Hong Kong champ will get a bit of a shock when she goes past him.
The way it’s going, we might get even money about Ka Ying Rising (1). The trial was better than most gave him credit for but I just don’t think he’s been here long enough to acclimatise. You saw it with a horse like Romantic Warrior, who was disappointing first-up in the Turnbull before coming out and winning the Cox Plate.
Angel Capital (8) is the x-factor horse. Big winner first-up at The Valley before being a tragedy beaten last time out in the Sir Rupert Clarke. He’s a proper Group 1 horse and the barrier for him on Saturday is perfect.
Jimmysstar (4) has been hurt by the barrier. From 11, he’ll be right back at the tail and screaming home to go close to the placegetters. The best of him was in the All Aged when he was midfield and he won’t be midfield here.
Verdict: Joliestar (9) BEST VALUE.
Race 8 – 4:50PM G3 SILVER EAGLE (1300 METRES)
Linebacker (1) had nothing go his way first-up in the Tramway. History suggests it takes a Group 3 class horse to win a Silver Eagle but this bloke is proper Group 1 level. Beat the likes of Broadsiding in the Randwick Guineas before he arguably should have won the Doncaster. Always improves second-up.
Lord Penman (7) was a good thing beaten two back before running well in the Epsom. Right in the mix for this.
Snow In May (12) has the right set up for this race, getting here third-up into the campaign. The barrier is tricky with her but with only 54kg on her back, she will get every chance.
Sabaj (9) next best.
Verdict: Linebacker (1) to win.
Race 9 – 5:35PM G1 KING CHARLES III STAKES (1609 METRES)
Speaking of number one ticket holder… welcome back to Sydney, Mr Brightside (1). He’s a champion that has come back in super form as an eight-year-old. To put it simply, he’s the best miler in the world and they won’t beat him. The rain around on Friday is only more favourable for him.
Pericles (6) probably hasn’t gone any better. Sharp winner of the Tramway before stepping up and running a solid race in the Epsom. Drawn a perfect barrier here and should be right at his peak third-up.
Fangirl (10) didn’t handle Caulfield first-up before bouncing back in the 7 Stakes when running down Lindermann. Don’t think she’s going as good as she has in recent years and think she’s got to drift.
Ceowulf (3) won the race last year but he too probably isn’t in the same form this time around.
Verdict: Mr Brightside (1) BEST BET.
Race 10 – 6:10PM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WORLD POOL HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
This race is a complete lottery for the final leg of the quaddie.
I think Rock Empire (14) was really good last start on the Kenso when showing a good deal of improvement on his first-up run. Drops 4kg from that and still has the scope to improve third-up into the preparation.
Lavish Empire (2) put the writing on the wall first-up behind Husk, beating home Disneck who has since won. Will show a good deal of improvement with the run under his belt and stepping out in trip to 1400m.
Kerguelen (7) wants it wet and he might get a soft track if the rain arrives on Friday. He’s much better in those conditions compared to what he is on a good rated surface.
Getafix (5) next best.
Verdict: Rock Empire (14) to win.