Promising import Soulcombe under the odds for Randwick return

The Drinkwise Mile, race six on Saturday’s Randwick card, shapes as a two-horse race between Banju and resuming import Soulcombe.

The early money with Betr has been for Banju, who heads betting at $2.25 ahead of the Waller-trained Soulcombe at $2.80.

Punters Inside Run form analyst Mick Sharkie is taking a set against the latter, declaring Banju the best bet at Randwick.

“I think Banju is the most likely winner of this race.

“He can go forward in a race where there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed,” Sharkie said of the in-form miler.

Banju, who will carry just 50.5kg after Reece Jones’ claim, is shooting for a hat-trick following back-to-back wins at Randwick and Rosehill.

While a fan of the son of Frankel, Sharkie believes Soulcombe - the current $13 favourite for the Melbourne Cup with Betr - will find the mile too short first-up.

“Horses like No Compromise and Soulcombe, they’ll run well fresh, but they’ll get back and they want more ground.

“Imports can get more speed in their legs when trained in Australia, but you’re asking for an injection of speed in a very short turnaround from the spring,” Sharkie said.

Soulcombe will be having his first start since coming from near-last to win the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2600m) at Flemington in early-November at his Australian debut.