3. Vauban performed way above expectation when placing in the Chelmsford at a mile first-up, not so much that he was able to run third, but he sprinted just as well as proven miler Ceolwulf and denied that horse the bronze. The 2000m is a lot more in his wheelhouse, and he did win at the trip back in March. Expect he’ll be just behind the speed, and if he can improve, as he should, he’s the one to beat. 12. Birdman was excellent second-up in the Chelmsford, he was held up behind a couple before switching to the outside, and he made nice ground under conditions that don’t suit him. A bit better off at set weights and penalties, drawn the inside, and 2000m should start to see him really hit his straps. Go well. 1. Arapaho showed he’s come back nicely with his Winx Stakes placing first-up, then boxed on nicely enough in the Chelmsford with Birdman just getting past him late. Another who will only be helped by 2000m, and he can be around the mark again. 11. Elamaz is the one that’s harder to line up. He was heavily backed when winning the McKell Cup from the front in June. He profiles similarly to last year’s winner Eliyass and could have similar upside and on what we’ve seen he’s a chance to measure up.
How to play it: Vauban WIN

Race 6 – 2.50pm: MYPLATES TEA ROSE STAKES (1400m)

2. Tupakara looks the best placed of those who finished around her in the Furious two weeks ago, given a nice soft draw and an ability to make some use of it. Had to go right back first-up, and she was breathing down the neck of the winner on the line. Appears to have the better set-up to turn the tables and break through for her first win. 1. Apocalyptic was the winner of that race and was advantaged a little by having the inside gate and tracking through before getting into the clear and getting the job done. She’s drawn out this time and we don’t know what tactical speed she has given she’s only had two starts. She’s also got the most upside, so could overcome some adversity. 3. Within The Law is faced with having to go back once again, as she did in the Furious before running on into fifth, perhaps Tupakara just sprinted a bit better, when staying at 1200m. She’ll appreciate the trip and is sure to be hitting the line. 6. Queen Of Clubs is also on the back foot with a tricky gate, and she’ll probably go back as well. Hard to miss her fresh effort in the Silver Shadow, and she’s missed the Furious to wait for the 1400m. She’s trialled well and galloped nicely in public and is sure to be showing she’s on target for further.
How to play it: Tupakara WIN

Race 7 – 3.25pm: BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP (1400m)

10. Kintyre is decent each-way odds, but if all is well with him, he’s more than good enough to go close fresh. Only had the two runs in the autumn and underwent a wind operation, he’s trialled pretty well, particularly in the latest at 1200m. Draws ideally, and while his first-up record doesn’t read great, he did run fifth in the Tramway last year and then a close fourth in this race. Like where he’s drawn, and he has the right scenario to run well. 2. Yellow Brick was probably not the best suited on a Heavy 10 in the Show County a month ago, and the form has held up since then with Lazzura winning again and General Salute running well. He gets to 1400m on a dry track, draws nicely and can only improve on what he did fresh. 17. Royal Patronage is a curious one if he gains a start, which he likely will, given he’s won first-up in his past two preps at 1400m and 1300m. Wide isn’t so much an issue as he’s a go-forward horse, and he’s earned the 61kg. He seems to have come back from Hong Kong well enough, looking at his trials and is right in it. 9. McHale won this race last year and was only having his second run since then when chasing Estadio Mestalla at 1500m at Rosehill three weeks ago. Looks destined to get a nice run again and if he holds his form he’s right in the finish.
How to play it: Kintyre EACH-WAY.

Race 8 – 4pm: 7 STAKES (1600m)

5. Gringotts cruised up to them like he was going to win the Wins Stakes first-up, but suspect the heavy 10 got him when the pressure went right on. Don’t mind the month between runs, and he’s had a 1200m trial win in the interim. He’s the type that should be able to land in the box seat from gate one and get the jump on those chasing him. He won four times at the mile and should be right in the finish. It’s a big race for 1. Ceolwulf, who was expected to win the Chelmsford second-up after his excellent return in the Winx, giving a big start and trying to charge down the middle. Things didn’t work out for him last time as he was shuffled back mid-race. He still ran on well, and if he can make some use of the barrier this time, it’d be in his favour. 11. Fangirl is hard to deny in any race, and she won this event last year. Eight of her 11 wins have been at Randwick, and there was nothing in her first-up run to say she hasn’t come back as well as ever. She’ll get back and be charging at them as always. 3. Private Eye has the right set-up drawn alongside Lindermann to get a cart across from the near outside gate and land on the speed. He’s racing in great form and was just ambushed by Pericles in the Tramway who had the drop on him. Can’t leave out.
How to play it: Gringotts WIN.

Race 9 – 4.40pm: YARRAMAN PARK SHORTS (1100m)

2. Private Harry has done nothing wrong with wins at all five starts, including his group 1 triumph in the Galaxy, and while this is his biggest tes,t there’s nothing to say he won’t pass it. He’s been sharp in his trial wins coming in, and he’s proven most dynamic on top of the ground so gets conditions to suit first-up. Expecting he’ll find the front from the middle draw, give a kick and be hard to run down. 1. Briasa could well have his back in the run and that makes him dangerous. He’s also trialled impressively on a couple of occasions leading in and is slightly better off at the weights from the Galaxy. He’s either won or run fourth in his 10 starts, and he’ll be a threat. 4. Joliestar would relish a strong tempo, and they should get along nicely enough for her to have her chance to sit back and charge into the finish, which would be the expectation for her major Everest lead-up run. 10. Generosity is a big query runner given we don’t know where she would have finished in the Concorde first-up had she been able to get a run. Draws soft again, and her second-up form reads stronger, so if there’s a real knockout, she could be the one.
How to play it: Private Harry WIN

Race 10 – 5.15pm: PEACHESTER LODGE SHOOT OUT MILE (1600m)

Prepared to give 9. Perfumist a chance to find her best form with a theory that her first-up heavy track run knocked her off kilter. She didn’t fire at all second-up, staying at 1200m and has been freshened for the step-up in distance. There was good purpose in how she found the line in her trial recently, and there’s a chance she gets an easy on pace run. Entitled to bounce back. 5. Lord Penman is also up from 1200m, though it’s now been five weeks between runs and no trial since his slashing first-up showing. It might be a case of overthinking it. He’s going to get a perfect run and could well be too good. 6. Pocketing found the 1200m short as well when he resumed in Brisbane, but he found the line quite well and will love the rise in trip. Won the Tulloch at group 2 level in the autumn over 2000m and he’s entitled to be competitive. 1. Quietness hasn’t raced since a game second after leading the Grafton Cup back in July. She’s had just the one trial but is yet to run a bad race and not expecting that to change given she’ll have a nice run in transit and the chance to run on.
How to play it: Perfumist EACH-WAY.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au