Race-by-race tips and preview for Randwick Kensington on Wednesday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
RACE 1 – 12.50PM: DRINKWISE PLATE (1100 METRES)
9. Twirling has done nothing wrong in her two trial wins leading into this to say she won’t be competitive here on debut. Last win was only narrow but always looked in control. Imagine she goes forward to a degree here and can be in the finish.
Racing returns to Kensington Racecourse on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 1. Alinea has been a little disappointing in two starts and not sure what to make of her trials. Looked to be a bit under pressure in the latest at Randwick. Check the market for a push with her. 6. Sakima was rested after an even debut at this track back in March where she settled back and ran on well into fifth. Drawn well and fitter for two trials, could easily show up. 5. Queen’s Rhapsody is a market watch with Nash up on debut, hasn’t been exposed a great deal in her trials.
How to play it: Twirling each-way.
RACE 2 – 1.25PM: CASTELVECCHIO AT ARROWFIELD PLATE (1100m)
4. Call Me Mojo was quite dynamic winning his second trial in easy fashion at Randwick and if he can transfer it to race day he should be a force. Chimed in under a nice hold in the 1050m heat and raced clear. Draws nicely and is a good chance.
Dangers: 1. Axius is another who is trialling strongly ahead of his debut and he won his first trial this prep easily before a closing third in the latest at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Looks to have a nice racing style and is right in this. 8. Gram has the race experience with two starts under his belt. Loomed as the winner first-up at Warwick Farm before Detendu sprinted better late. Has the tricky draw and what we’ve seen so far suggests he goes back and looks to swoop. 6. Dawn Service is the $1.4 million son of former topliner Sunlight who makes his debut having trialled twice in this prep.
Looked under more duress than Twirling in the latest but prepared to keep him safe.
How to play it: Call Me Mojo to win.
RACE 3 – 2PM: TAB HANDICAP (1400m)
2. Fakhra is threatening to win a race and has to be fitter for a narrow second when resuming at Newcastle as a short-priced favourite. Fair to say he looked the winner early in the straight but just didn’t put the race away. Soft draw and entitled to another chance.
Dangers: 3. Magic Shadow also resumed at Newcastle, a couple of weeks earlier, and ran on without threatening from last into second in a six-horse field on a heavy 10. JMac takes over and he’s the logical danger. 4. Wipeout ran a handy third behind Charming Legend when resuming then not quite as effective in the same race as Fakhra. Gets a 3.5kg swing in the weights in his favour so could be an improver. 7. Precious Straand started double figures on debut and hit the line OK over 900m at Newcastle into second. Sharp jump in trip but if that’s what she’s looking for she’s not without a chance.
How to play it: Fakhra to win and trifecta 2/3,4,7/3,4,7.
RACE 4 – 2.35PM: JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1100m)
3. Vegas Raider was excellent off a month’s break when run down late by One Destiny at Warwick Farm and that form has held up well. Went forward from a wide gate there so imagine similar tactics applied here. Go well.
Dangers: Stablemate 1. Oceans One is an on-pacer who had his chance when third at Canterbury last time out but still held his ground OK. Big drifter in betting there too. Right in this. 7. Bundeena resumed with an even effort in the same race as Vegas Raider and has a significant barrier change in his favour. Chance to find some form. 5. Famous Pedrille has trialled since a disappointing first-up effort back in May. Capable of some improvement.
How to play it: Vegas Raider to win.
RACE 5 – 3.10PM: THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1550m)
2. Star Impact did a super job jumping to the mile second-up and five weeks between runs when she cruised home at Newcastle a few weeks back. She’s up in weight for the step to city grade again which suggests this isn’t super strong. Draws to get last call and should be a factor.
Dangers: 4. Autumnmation has really struck form now with a Doomben win in June then had the run and was too good at Canterbury two weeks ago. Up in class again but no reason why she couldn’t go on with it. 5. She’s Unusual is lightly raced and chased hard when runner-up to The Little Pumper over this trip at Canterbury. Rises 2.5kg but imagine she’s at her top now and can be hard to beat. 1. Nana’s Wish is back a notch in class after a couple of runs at BM78 level on Saturdays. Got a long way back last time at 1800m and ran on OK to finish midfield. Wide draw here but gets in well with the claim.
How to play it: Star Impact each-way.
RACE 6 – 3.45PM: ASTERN @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1400m)
2. Little Cointreau doesn’t run bad races and looks well suited here after a couple of thirds at Rosehill in solid company since his first-up win. Has had to be very negative from wide gates in all three runs back so it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds from gate two.
Dangers: 10. Nanshe is the logical threat and it will be interesting to see if she can use the inside alley to any advantage given she’s generally raced off the pace. Sound when a drifter here two runs back then far too good back in class at Newcastle. 5. Don Pedro has a handy record and while he’s not yet won first-up he can run a cheeky race fresh. Couple of trials have been handy and kicking off at 1400m is a plus for him. 1. Green Shadows needs everything run to suit but he has the blinkers on here and a softer gate than he’s had of late so if he finds his best he’s capable of being in the finish.
How to play it: Little Cointreau to win and trifecta 2/1,5,10/1,5,10.
RACE 7 – 4.20PM: HEADWATER @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1550m)
4. West Of Africa overcame a wide gate to win at Warwick Farm third-up then never a factor behind Elouyou at Rosehill. A soft track might be more to his liking so under those circumstances he’s worth another chance.
Dangers: 7. Magnatear hasn’t had the best of luck with barrier draws of late but did win over this course three runs back. Forgive last time from the wide gate at Midway level and he’s capable of being in the finish. 13. Alcabeel was specked in betting to start $10 on debut when scoring narrowly at Newcastle over Fakhra a few weeks ago. Blinkers go on here and up in class but down 4.5kg and shouldn’t be overlooked. 9. State Of America hasn’t fired in two runs since a promising first-up effort around this trip at Hawkesbury. Wouldn’t shock if he’s in the placings.
How to play it: West Of Africa to win.
Best Bets: Race 3 (2) Fakhra; Race 6 (2) Little Cointreau.
Best Value: Race 5 (2) Star Impact.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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