Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Chelmsford Stakes meeting at Randwick on September 6 plus Trial Watch Pointers and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK September 6

Best Bets

RACE 5 – (9) LORD PENMAN: Arrived from NZ with a big record of four wins and only once unplaced in seven starts from 1200m to 1500m. Impressive in his local debut when steaming home for a close second in this class over 1200m at Rosehill where his  closing sectional was the best of the day, pointing to him relishing a strongly run 1600m at Randwick. The riding switch to James McDonald is a sign of stable confidence.

RACE 6 – (16) APOCALYPTIC: No doubt this impressive filly should have won her only start last season when finishing a luckless second, beaten only a long neck, over 1100m at this course in a strong form race that produced the Magic Millions Classic trifecta. Takes on a Group 2 as a maiden but her recent trials have her well prepared for the challenge and should get every chance from the rails draw if the track plays fair.

RACE 7 – (2) CEOLWULF: Excellent first-up fourth in the G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at this course when he would have troubled the winner Via Sistina if his rider had not taken the wrong option at the 450m when he swung wide. He still produced great sectionals over the last 400m to affirm that he is back as good as last season when he won two G1 features over this course and distance to establish his place in the top echelon. It's obvious the Randwick mile is his sweet spot.

Selections

RACE 1: (9) CHANGE MY ADDRESS; (2) Gently Rolled; (1) Denman Star; (6) Cryptonic

RACE 2: (19e) GRACEFUL ELLEN; (2) Nimble Star; (10) Calido Magic; (1) Highway Strip

RACE 3: (10) SPIRIT OF WEALTH; (9) Chidiac; (2) Kimberley Secrets; (4) Tickleberry

RACE 4: (8) TRAVOLTA; (1) Changingoftheguard; (6) Muktamil; (4) Glory Daze

RACE 5: (9) LORD PENMAN; (12) Aberlour; (13) Shohisha; (7) Time Quest

RACE 6: (16) APOCALYPTIC; (3) Savvy Hallie; (1) Within The Law; (8) Akaysha

RACE 7: (2) CEOLWULF; (7) Land Legend; (5) Sir Delius; (1) Arapaho  

RACE 8: (5) HEADWALL; (4) Lady Shenandoah; (1) Jimmysstar; (9) In Flight

RACE 9: (5) PRIVATE EYE; (7) Pericles; (15) Swiftfalcon; (2) Linebacker

RACE 10: (5) SHESALLSHENANIGANS; (11) Winston Hills; (7) Bauhinia; (10) Dominetta

Why They Can Win…

RACE 1 – (9) CHANGE MY ADDRESS: Big drop in class from Group company. Fitter with no weight.

RACE 2 – (19e) GRACEFUL ELLEN: Rates well off progressive country wins. Genuine threat if she gains a start.

RACE 3 – (10) SPIRIT OF WEALTH: Showed loads of potential before enforced layoff. Trialling like a winner.

RACE 4 – (8) TRAVOLTA: Keeps improving with every run. Has the fitness to exploit his limit weight.

RACE 5 – (9) LORD PENMAN: Impressive sectionals in his Australian debut.

RACE 8 – (5) HEADWALL: Luckless autumn in big G1 sprints. Set to fly fresh.

RACE 9 – (5) PRIVATE EYE: Back to his best. Perfect race for him off his classy Melbourne win.

RACE 10 – (5) SHESALLSHENANIGANS: All the better for recent runs. Set to improve on a drying track.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – September 6

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Spirit Of Wealth (R3); Aberlour (R5); Akaysha (R6); Tupakara (R6); Apocalyptic (R6); Sir Delius (R7); Vauban (R7); Jimmysstar (R8); Headwall (R8); Lady Shenandoah (R8); Generosity (R8); In Flight (R8); Dragonstone (R8); Spring Lee (R8); Hard To Say (R8); Militarize (R9); Linebacker (R9); Pericles (R9); Waterford (R9); Depth Of Character (R9); Swiftfalcon (R9); Dominetta (R10)

HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Fierce (R1); Twinkling Star (R2)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Angel Capital (R5)  

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Attica; Whatalegacy; Raging Force; Banjora; 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

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL AUGUST 28: In a slow open heat over 900m (56.66; 35.37) the late work by the classy SWIFTFALCON for second took the eye ahead of a quietly ridden LADY SHENANDOAH. Another 900m trial that commanded attention was the effort by GENEROSITY.

HAWKESBURY August 25: Group horses had the use of the course proper for two trials. In Heat 1 (1000m) Randwick Guineas winner LINEBACKER improved in his second trial since the autumn to win this trial, peeling off the back of the leader and doing all that was required over the last 200m for a solid win (59.75; 33.42). WATERFORD usually trials well and he was the one putting in the best work late from the back to take third. In the shorter Heat 2 (800m) HEADWALL put in the big trial, coming from five lengths back at the 500m for a closing second under a good hold from Zac Lloyd in his first trial since his big autumn when he made the grade as a top notch G1 sprinter. The open heats over 1250m on the inside grass also saw some class acts go through their paces, not the least being the Waterhouse/Bott imports SIR DELIUS and VAUBAN. SIR DELIUS, having his second trial since his Brisbane win in May, led the faster of two heats (75.63; 33.92) and sprinted home for a solid win. VAUBAN led out in his heat and kept running for an easy win over lesser rivals (65.77; 33.83). He is getting plenty of work ahead of his spring, having won an earlier trial in similar style at Randwick. Maiden runners to impress included TWINKLING STAR.

WARWICK FARM August 22: Another full set of synthetic trials spiced up by the presence of some quality Group performers. Smart mare VERONA ROSE (44.19; 33.62) recorded a soft win in her open heat over 740m while big names to trial under no pressure included IN FLIGHT and DRAGONSTONE. The race fit ABERLOUR (71.01; 35.59) was an easy winner of the fastest 1175m heat.

RANDWICK August 19: All heats were transferred to the Polytrack due to the ongoing wet weather. Chris Waller provided all eight runners in an open heat over 780m (48.13; 34.82) including Group winners ANGEL CAPITAL and MILITARIZE. ANGEL CAPITAL won the heat in good style for his second trial win since joining the stable from Victoria.

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 (900m) SWIFTFALCON took the eye with their late work.

GOSFORD August 18: Some classy trials from prominent spring prospects. SPIRIT OF WEALTH backed up her recent Warwick Farm trial win with another sharp display to win her 800m heat in fast time for the conditions (49.10; 35.50). With just the three starts behind her she has the potential to go a long way this season as a 4YO. The G1 winner JIMMYSSTAR did his best work late for third in his 800m heat, putting in impressive work through the line in his second trial visit to Gosford.

WARWICK FARM August 8: More black type heats but the horses to make the best impression. In Heat 2 (900m - 55.05; 35.71) the quality sprinter HEADWALL worked within himself. SPIRIT OF WEALTH showed plenty early last season when she won twice by big margins, only to be later disqualified from her Warwick Farm win. Now a 4YO, she's ready to return after a classy win in her 795m heat (47.99; 34.64), tracking wide but doing it easily and extending nicely over the last 100m to score by a dominant margin. Heat winners worth noting included the easy 1200m winner ABERLOUR. Others looking primed for good campaigns with eye catching efforts included APOCALYPTIC. 

RANDWICK August 7: Some classy trials in the black type heats despite the heavy conditions. In Heat 1 gun stayer VAUBAN (64.07; 38.12) was given a solid hitout to lead from the start and win the quicker of the two 1000m heats. In Heat 2 (1000m) PERICLES and LADY SHENANDOAH were responsible for strong trials, finishing third and fourth with nice work over the last 200m. In Heat 3 (850m 53.57; 36.47) LINEBACKER covered ground and was given an easy time finishing fourth. In the two polytrack trials runners to impress with strong work included DOMINETTA.

GOSFORD August 7:  G1 winner JIMMYSSTAR impressed with his closing third in his 800m heat, coming from last and finishing off under a quiet ride..

ROSEHILL July 29: The fastest of two 900m heats for the Group horses was won by the leader SPRING LEE (55.84; 35.00).

WARWICK FARM July 25: More prep trials for Group horses getting ready for the new season. In Heat 1 over 1000m Melbourne Cup favourite SIR DELIUS and classy stablemate ALALCANCE settled at the rear as expected. SIR DELIUS went about his business with no fuss to finish fourth about eight lengths off the winner. In Heat 2 (900m) LADY SHENANDOAH had an easy condition trials.

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 winner ZARDOZI did no more than work easily off the pace, finishing in the back half of the field. In Heat 2 (850m 51.20; 33.69) PERICLES was given easy conditioning work.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – September 6

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Changingoftheguard (R4); Lord Penman (R5); Wymark (R5); Kujenga (R6); Apocalyptic (R6); Ceowulf (R7); Land Legend (R7); Athabascan (R7); Osipenko (R9)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Lincoln Rocks (R4); Beskar (R6); Point Barrow (R7); Desert Lightning (R8); Helix (R10); Thinking Of Gerty (R10)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Wisnierska (R4); Bunker Hut (R7)

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected August 30 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

BUCKAROO; DAMASK ROSE; DISNECK; GILDED WATER; HALF YOURS; PROVIDENCE 

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Show Em Howl; Bullion Boy; 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