17/2/2024 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets

Randwick will play host to a ten race card on Saturday. Weather is fine, track is good (4) and the rail is out four metres for the entire circuit.

Race 1. (12:30) Pierro Plate 1100m

2 Switzerland (Bet Now:$1.80) might be the #1 seed for Chris Waller re the Golden Slipper so it will be fascinating to see how he goes here. His debut win here three weeks ago was brilliant, sitting just off the speed before shoving into the clear and he made an absolute mess of them. The data boys and girls say he is a Slipper contender. Can he confirm that with a win here? I say yes.

1 Shangri La Express (Bet Now:$2.70) is an absolute beauty. GaiBott juvenile that was outstanding in the Spring, with his Golden Gift win, for mine, sitting second behind Storm Boy’s Magic Millions win as the most impressive victory from a juvenile this season. Trial work has been solid without being great but on his race day feats, he clearly commands respect.

8 Fly Fly (Bet Now:$15.00) is a well bred filly for Team Hawkes that is on debut off the back of outstanding trial work. First trial she was very green in behind them and did a bit wrong but she balanced up and gee she moved nicely to win the trial narrowly but I thought had plenty up the sleeve and was similar in the next trial. Stable can produce a good youngster and this girl is bred to be a good one, so watch the market.

Race 2. (13:05) Midway (Bm72) 1000m

4 Rebel Dean (Bet Now:$4.80) is knocking on the door to win for Team Price and I do think he finds a suitable race here. He ran under the lights at Canterbury last time where he was back off the speed and trucking before finding clear air and he let down hard, just failing to get the win when a narrow second to Fameux. Has run well in town before at this level, and higher, so for mine, he’s hard to beat.

13 Mad Darcey (Bet Now:$7.50) looks to have returned in excellent order for David Pfieffer. This mare was met with late market support when resuming at Gosford and the market got it right, giving them a start and a beating, winning impressively and her change up speed was impressive. Keen to see how she goes at Midway level.

3 Liberty Sun (Bet Now:$23.00) is a short course specialist so he’s suited at 1000m here I feel. Greg McFarlane trained veteran that was plain in two runs at Saturday metro level to start the prep before going to Canterbury where he ran an improved race but still was a bit on the plain side. Not sure I could back him to win but is one for exotics.

Race 3. (13:40) Tab Highway Hcp (C3) 1800m

19 Reet Petite (Bet Now:$8.00) is a lightly raced mare for Keith Dryden and is hard to beat against these. Narrow second over 2000m at Canberra two back before being freshened up and racing over 1400m at the Sapphire Street where she got back and charged late, just missing out on the win when second. Fitter and up in trip, she’ll take beating.

1 Fay’s Angels (Bet Now:$5.50) is Big Dance Qualified having won the Taree Cup last year and I think this mare has returned in pretty good order. She resumed two weeks ago in the Highway at Rosehill where she got a fair way out of her ground and while she was never a threat, I really liked the way she found the line late in the piece behind Lensman. Fitter and up in trip, bigger track, she only runs well.

18 Croatian Madame (Bet Now:$67.00) is a capable mare for Jeremy Gask that is a complete blowout IMO. Forget she went around at Gunnedah last time given she got too far out of her ground and although she did make up headway, she was never a factor. Big track, 1800m and with a jockey upgrade, I think she’s in with a shout at a big price.

Race 4. (14:15) Kia Ora Stud (Bm88) 1300m

9 Tashi (Bet Now:$4.20) has come back in really good order and fitter, up in trip, I think it all points to her. Resumed with a bang three weeks ago over 1200m here, getting the beaut sit in behind before being clicked up in the straight and despite being out of petrol tickets, she had enough in hand to fight and win. Good upside/improvement to come, she rates highly.

1 Cuban Royale (Bet Now:$16.00) is an absolute beauty for Team Price and for mine, is one of the hardest to beat. He ran a few weeks ago over 1400m here in the Carrington and was one of the runs of the race in defeat after getting dragged back from the wide gate, finding the line with real purpose late in the piece. If he can settle closer and be within range, he’ll take holding out.

6 Ruby Flyer (Bet Now:$13.00) is a son of Flying Artie for Team Attard that resumes. This guy was a real find during the Winter, winning races on the bounce before running a close up third in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury behind Bold Mac. Trial work suggests he may need the run but he is a genuine bugger that has solid form lines.

Race 5. (14:50) Expressway Stakes 1200m

4 Buenos Noches (Bet Now:$2.05) is a very interesting runner for Matty Smith. Logic says he would have run in the Lightning but instead, the stable have kept him here and resumes at 1200m. He got very close to beating Imperatriz in the Champions Sprint so he’s one of the best sprinters in Australia and he did close off strongly in a recent trial. Spots them a start but should be strong at the end.

1 King Of Sparta (Bet Now:$2.70) is the key threat but the forecast for rain on Friday I find very interesting because he is a gun dry tracker. If the rain hits, I am hard against him. If it misses, or it just soaks in and the track remains firm, then he becomes just about the one to beat. Not at the level of Buenos Noches but he is hard fit, racing well and will be there looming I am sure.

6 Malkovich (Bet Now:$23.00) is dangerous if the track is playing towards those up/in. This guy ran in the Southern Cross two weeks back where he led, got control, and tried his guts out, but 1200m at this level was a bridge too far when third to Lady Laguna. He’ll lead, have control and give cheek. Must for exotics.

Race 6. (15:25) Triscay Stakes 1200m

Trained as a sprinter, 4 C’Est Magique (Bet Now:$4.80) can explode this Autumn. She is a quality mare for Grahame Begg that resumes after a frustrating Spring prep where she teased to measure up at the highest level but didn’t quite. Given a good break and the way she has trialled/jumped out at Cranbourne leading in…I think she’s ready to rock and roll. Keen.

5 Olentia (Bet Now:$3.40) is a daughter of Zoustar that resumes for Chris Waller. She was touted to be a star in the Spring and while she did run well for the most part, she didn’t quite measure up in the big races. Thought her trial behind Facile was quite strong, closing off well from last. Likely spots them a start but should be strong at the end.

8 Either Oar (Bet Now:$11.00) is a ripping mare that is tough and will just keep fighting. She did that a few weeks back and despite looking gone at stages, she kicked and looked like she would kick back and win, just not quite seeing it through when a narrow second to Tashi. Good racing style, hard fit…first four threat.

Race 7. (16:00) Apollo Stakes 1400m

It is no secret I have a horn for 4 Buckaroo (Bet Now:$7.00) this Autumn so I am very keen to see how he goes here. Formerly with Joseph O’Brien, he’s now with Chris Waller and his trial work, both with and without blinkers, looked outstanding, as did his piece of work here on Saturday where for mine, he comfortably held Militarize. IMO, the WFA stocks need fresh blood and I reckon he could be the one to jump out of the box.

8 Fangirl (Bet Now:$2.30) is a ripping mare for Chris Waller that resumes. She had a fab Spring, highlighted by the King Charles triumph, ending the campaign with a fourth in the Champions Mile. She too has trialled well and worked well on Saturday to prepare for her return. She loves Randwick, she’ll be strong late and goes well fresh. Leading chance.

5 Attractable (Bet Now:$16.00) is a beauty for Sara Ryan that resumes. He was the find of the Spring, highlighted by wins in the Big Dance before a courageous second in the Ingham after doing work on speed. Likely has eyes on the Doncaster and his trial last week at Rosehill alongside Lindermann was strong. He’ll land on speed and prove hard to get past.

Race 8. (16:35) Light Fingers Stakes 1200m

Great to see 3 Learning To Fly (Bet Now:$4.20) back at the races. Annabel Neasham trained filly that makes her long awaited return to the track, having not raced since the Golden Slipper where she fell and it was touch and go whether she’d make it. She has, she’s had 12 months off and her trial/between races work…gee it’s been electric. She could easily explode and spank these.

4 Mumbai Muse (Bet Now:$7.50) is a Michael Freedman trained filly that resumes. This girl ended last prep on a high, bolting up in the Red Roses on Oaks Day. She has looked to trial very well to my eye, the latest behind King Of Sparta. Will be interesting how she goes at 1400m in the Surround and IMO, if she was going to win one of these 3YO fillies races, this is her chance.

7 Facile (Bet Now:$11.00) is a Ryan/Alexiou trained filly that is first up and dangerous. This girl had a solid Spring, headlined by a narrow second in the Gothic at Caulfield before a down the track effort at Flemington on Cup Day. Loved the way she trialled up at Rosehill for her return and has a good racing style. Watch the market.

Race 9. (17:15) Ranvet (Bm88) 1600m

12 Buillt (Bet Now:$11.00) has been up a little while but is holding his form really well for Chris Waller. He was 1500m back to 1350m when racing two weeks ago at Rosehill. He got back off the speed and took a while to get going back in trip but kept finding the line in a good effort behind Infatuation, finishing fourth. Back up in trip, bigger track, he appeals.

5 Estadio Mestalla (Bet Now:$4.60) has done a really good job since joining Joe Pride and is one of the hardest to beat. He was heavily backed when racing two weeks ago at Rosehil and despite being strongly challenged in the straight, he found under pressure to fend them of and win. He’s got room for improvement, has run well at Randwick previously…rates highly.

3 Logan Street Lion (Bet Now:$7.00) should appreciate a rise to 1600m. He was kept pretty safe in betting when racing two weeks back at Rosehill. He got back off the speed and took a little while to wind into his work but he kept finding the line in a good effort behind Estadio Mestalla. Good set up here to run an improved race and a win won’t shock.

Race 10. (17:55) Chandon Garden Spritz (Bm78) 1400m

8 Time Quest (Bet Now:$4.60) is a progressive galloper for Matty Smith that I can resume a winner. He hasn’t raced since the Winter when having a two run prep in Melbourne and was solid each time, both runs at Sandown. Two trials under the belt to prepare and he did look strong in the latest trial, a win over 1200m. He’s ready to go and is hard to beat against these.

3 Gracilistyla (Bet Now:$5.50) is hard fit, racing well and knocking on the door. Chris Waller trained gelding that ran at Rosehill two weeks ago where he had a suck run in behind and seemingly had his chance but was close up in defeat and solid behind Infatuation. J Mac on, ideal map and strikes a winnable race.

7 Miss Checkoni (Bet Now:$23.00) can run an improved race at a likely decent price. This girl ran in the Midway two weeks back when wide no cover for the most part and that hard run just told late in the piece, finishing down the track behind Black Duke. I think with a more economical run in transit, she can pinch a first four spot.

Best Bets & Quaddie Tips

BEST BET: Race Six Number 4 C’Est Magique

NEXT BEST: Race Three Number 19 Reet Petite

LONG SHOT: Race Ten Number 8 Time Quest

Quaddie (Races Seven Through To Ten):

Leg One: 4, 5, 8, 10

Leg Two: 3

Leg Three: 5, 12

Leg Four: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

$50 Investment = 125% of the dividend if successful.