Best bets for Epsom Day at Royal Randwick.
Three Group Ones and a key Everest lead-up head one of Sydney racing's glamour meetings this Saturday – TAB Epsom Day.
Beautiful weather for the next few days will ensure a good surface, with all runners likely to get their chance with the rail in a true position.
The best of the day is in the Group Two Premiere Stakes, Race 7.
Max Whitby's syndicate has selected Briasa as it's Everest runner and he can stamp himself as one of the top three chances in the big race with a win on Saturday.
The grey resumed two weeks ago over 1100m in The Shorts and was game in defeat behind the star mare Joliestar. Tyler Schiller settled just behind the pace and when he peeled the five-year-old out he looked the winner, only for Waller's mare to emerge late.
This first-up performance rated significantly higher than his fourth when resuming in The Galaxy last prep, also over 1100m. Notably, Briasa improved substantially at his next run when he stepped out over 1200m at Randwick, picking up his biggest win to date in the Group One TJ Smith Stakes.
Similar progress this weekend should see the Hawkes-trained gelding take care of a small field that seems light on genuine hopes. Jimmysstar is the class, but he might need a bit more pace up front than he will get on Saturday to truly show his best. The other chance is Private Harry whose colours were lowered dramatically in The Shorts – he needs to improve a lot to turn the tables.
The price on offer isn't flash, but this fellow should be winning.
The Epsom (Race 8) is all about Chris Waller's boom mare Autumn Glow who is looking to make it seven wins from seven starts.
However, at around four times the quote the recent Ciaron Maher acquisition Willydoit represents great value.
Last season's New Zealand Derby winner resumed for his new trainer in the 1400m Tramway four weeks ago. After settling at the tail of a big field from a wide draw the son of Tarzino worked home well in restricted room to finish just 3.4 lengths off Pericles.
A subsequent trial at Warwick Farm should bring the four-year-old on from that run.
Willydoit raced twice over 1600m when trained in New Zealand and won them both as he worked his way towards the Derby. At the second run back, the trip looks a perfect fit.
Tommy Berry should be able to settle around midfield from the nice gate. With just 53kgs as a Group One winning four-year-old male he looks well treated against Autumn Glow who is a mare of the same age without a win at the elite level carrying 1.5kgs more.
Autumn Glow is clearly very good but from the widest gate she is not an appealing bet at $2.20. Willy at $8.50 each-way is good shopping.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
BEST BET: Race 7 No. 2 Briasa
BEST VALUE: Race 8 No. 6 Willydoit (each-way)
