Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick Kensington meeting on August 27 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RANDWICK KENSINGTON August 27
Best Bets
RACE 3: (5) GRAND EAGLE
RACE 5: (5) LA ROJA
For Value
RACE 6: (3) SILVANITO
Selections
RACE 1: (6) LADY PANHURST; (2) Xingxing; (3) Maquisa; (12) Angel Feet
RACE 2: (1) STORMLAND; (4) Johnny; (6) Prestar; (3) Aligned
RACE 3: (5) GRAND EAGLE; (6) Stratafy; (1) Huon; (4) Passeggiata
RACE 4: (4) BRIGHT RED; (5) Convergent; (6) Dr Evil; (3) Misterkipchoge
RACE 5: (5) LA ROJA; (9) Ivan's Hero; (6) In Summer; (1) Hooligan Tommy
RACE 6: (3) SILVANITO; (9) Hammett; (5) Bodhi Boy; (1) Balkans
RACE 7: (5) LADY BOSS; (10) Pleasure Queen; (8) Totoka; (11) Good Sort
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – August 27-30
KENSINGTON WEDNESDAY: Xinxing (R1); Officiate (R1); Silvanito (R6); Pleasure Queen (R7)
GOSFORD FRIDAY: Banjora (R2); Extractor (R2); Rajwa (R3); Blind Squirrel (R4)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Providence (R6); Raging Force (R8); Wodeton (R8) King Of Pop (R8); Rivellino (R8); Lord Of Biscay (R10); Colourful Emperor (R10); Emirate (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Mazu (R7); Airman (R7); Manaal (R8); Another Wil (R9)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: West Of Swindon; Feared; Goulburn
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Autumn Glow; Via Sistina; Better Late; Skyhook; Private Eye; Savvy Hallie; Cantiamo; Ohope; Cuban Cigar; Balmain Darling; Barbarossa; Slinky; Ravenclaw, The Novelist; Johnny; Nashville Jack; Kerber; Skyglider; Amreekiyah; King Of Roseau; Valilee; Custom; Grand Prairie; Southern Heiress; Straand Beauty; Nazwah; Caesar
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK August 19 (Poly): An impressive piece of work from RAGING FORCE in his first trial since he won three on the bounce in June and July. Had plenty in reserve posting a soft win in his 1080m heat (63.93; 33.87), work that will have him ready to take on some good 3YO races in coming weeks.
CANTERBURY August 18: This big set of trials were transferred from Rosehill with many of the runners in the three black type heats trialling by necessity in the heavy conditions to fit their preps for the spring. In Heat 2 over 900m (56.65; 36.93) KING OF POP was the one to impress closing the fast winner Bonita Queen down to 1.4 lengths on the line while SWIFTFALCON took the eye with his late work. In the faster third heat over 900m (56.22; 35.99) one of last season's better 2YOs RIVELLINO impressed with a strong third after covering ground from the 500m. Good work by Deep Field 5YO FIRE STAR to win his 905m heat with authority. Likes the sting out of the ground so it was no surprise that he had the measure of some good types with something in reserve (57.20; 37.03). Among the better open heat winners were LORD OF BISCAY and EMIRATE while maidens to keep tabs on include XINGXING and PROVIDENCE.
WARWICK FARM August 8: In the 900m black type heat FELIX MAJESTIC had too much toe, showing his natural pace to lead from start to finish (55.05; 35.71). Quality sprinter WARNIE worked within himself while BUCKAROO started off his prep with an easy conditioning trial. Other heat winners worth noting included the veteran MAZU returning with a strong performance in his 795m heat and BANJORA, a 3YO maiden with bright prospects.
RANDWICK August 7: Some classy trials in the four black type heats despite the heavy conditions. In Heat 1 (1000m) FANGIRL got into her work late for fourth. In Heat 4 (850m) MANAAL trucked through this trial in fast time (53.61; 36.29) under a big hold for a classy win in a sure sign she is in good form to resume. WODETON impressed with his closing second after coming through the heavier ground on the inside. The trials on the A grass also produced some notable performances.
GOSFORD August 7: G1 winner ANOTHER WIL made another Gosford appearance for an easy trial. He got into his work strongly over the last 100m to finish a close second in his 1000m heat (61.89; 36.28).
ROSEHILL July 29: The 900m heat for the Group horses was won by the leader SPRING LEE (55.84; 35.00). The fastest winner of the six 2YO heats over 900m was WHATALEGACY (54.60; 34.30), being the only juvenile winner to go under 55 seconds. Other rising 3YOs worthy of attention after their good trials included strong closing work by PLEASURE QUEEN.
GOSFORD July 23: Ciaron Maher's G1 winner ANOTHER WIL had a day out as his first step towards the spring. He contested the fastest 800m heat (34.34) in his first trial since he contested the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April, working to the line to finish fifth before carrying on with a strong gallop for 400m past the post.
RANDWICK July 22: All the focus was on the two black type heats on the Kensington where some of our best Group horses started their preps for the spring. In Heat 1 (850m) G1 winners TOM KITTEN and ZARDOZI did no more than work easily off the pace, finishing in the back half in the field of eight. In Heat 2 (850m) MANAAL and WODETON were given easy conditioning trials. Previously noted trial stars to post strong performances in the 2YO heats included RAJWA while the stakes winning 3YO DANCE TO THE BOOM impressed winning her open heat.
ROSEHILL July 15: Another impressive trial by the import COLOURFUL EMPEROR. A winner in Ireland and Hong Kong under the name of Keepupwithmyempire, he hasn't raced for 14 months but is going well for the Ryan/Alexiou stable with his easy win in his 1030m heats (63.32; 35.56) following up his noted Rosehill trial win on July 4. He's obviously getting the work to have him ready for a good first-up performance. Eye catchers in other 900m heats included the classy WEST OF SWINDON in his first trial since his switch from the Hawkes stable to Ciaron Maher.
RANDWICK July 11: It's that time of the year when late season 2YO trials point to early 3YO winners. Unraced I Am Invincible youngster RAJWA improved off his first two trials in March to put his stamp on his 742m heat (44.16; 33.60), sitting four wide outside the lead before taking the upper hand and extending for a dominant win.
ROSEHILL July 4: Anr open heat winner to make an impression was COLOURFUL EMPEROR, a 5YO gelding who has raced successful in Ireland and Hong Kong with four wins up to 1200m. He's now with the Ryan/Alexiou team and will attract attention when he races after sharp win his open heat over 900m (54.65; 34.65), tracking the leader and working to the line in good style for a comfortable win.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 27
RANDWICK WEDNESDAY: Convergent (R4)
SANDOWN WEDNESDAY: Zouclaire (R1); Lovelycut (R3)
MURWILLUMBAH THURSDAY: Godfather (R6)
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected August 23 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
BUR DUBAI; CEOWULF; HUTCHENCE; ROBRICK
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Monkhana; Point Barrow; Saltcoats; Monte Supreme; Relentless Voyager; Crossbow; Useapin; Amusing; Robusto; Lead Me On; Mormona; Duchess Zou; Don Diego De Vega; Epic Proportions; Stay Silent; Fortunate Kiss; Sound It Out; Getafix; She's Unusual; Stylish; Terilee; Zaszou; Adiella; Shockletz
