Nine race program at Randwick with the Listed January Cup the feature race of the program. A couple of nice races surround the feature race with two strong Benchmark-88 races in the fourth and sixth.
The track is currently rated as a Soft 7 with the weather overcast and the rail is out 6m for the entire circuit.
Race 1 Benchmark-72 Handicap (1100m) @ 1:15pm
Malkovich
Was well backed last start in the Gosford Guineas but finished well back to finish eighth on a Heavy track. While the track is slightly firmer, the wet ground is a concern considering he did not handle the Heavy track well at Gosford. He does draw barrier one and his form prior was solid.
Triple Ace
Has yet to miss a placing in his career to date and has won four on the bounce this preparation. This is his toughest test to date, but he knows how to find the line and win. He won on Soft ground last start at Canterbury and should get a good run from barrier five.
Matowatakape
Steps back in grade for this after being on speed last start in a race that favoured the swoopers and finished sixth. Should strip fitter here second-up and get a good run in the race from barrier two. Tom Sherry’s two kilogram claim brings him in well at the weights.
Frozen In Time has a good chance to bounce back in conditions she thrives in while the strong tempo projected in the race should suit Brazenpipe and Favra, who will look to run on from the back.
Selections: 4-1-2-3
Suggested Bet: Very tough race but do think Frozen In Time is at a good enough price to back each-way ($9.50 win, $2.50 place).
Race 2 Class 3 Highway Handicap (1200m) @ 1:50pm
Pinnacle Prince
A simply breath-taking win last start at Randwick when he rounded up the field from last to win impressively. Should improve once again second-up and strikes a similar field to what he faced last start. He has had all of his starts on Soft tracks, so the conditions are of no conern. He has a terrific turn of foot and is a serious talent. Should win again.
Toro Toro
Ran home well last start behind Pinnacle Prince and does get a massive four kilogram weight swing in his favour for this encounter. While I think Pinnacle Prince has too much class, the son of Time For War does look a nice each-way prospect.
Previso had a nice trial win leading into this and looks a chance to run a cheeky race here first-up while Banger comes back in trip to the 1200m and should be able to make his run from the back with the odds-on favourite.
Selections: 4-3-14-15
Suggested Bet: Pinnacle Prince looks hard to take on but is also too short to back. No Bet.
Race 3 Benchmark-72 Handicap (1600m) @ 2:25pm
Zing
Was very brave last start when he continued to battle on off the hot tempo set in the race to narrowly get nabbed by Browery Breeze. There does not look to be much tempo in this and he is drawn to get a great run in the race around midfield with cover. Strips fitter third-up and gets his chance here. Top hope.
Macleay
Big danger to the favourite here stepping up in distance. He was a real eye-catcher late when he flew gome from the back to finish fourth at Newcastle in Benchmark-64 grade. This looks tougher, but his form from last preparation is strong and he looks to be improving with every run.
Fifteen Aria
Solid win on debut at Warwick Farm when beating Flexible in what looks to be a good form race foinf forward. She should appreciate the step up in trip to the mile and comes in well at the weights.
Foxborough should be leading for a long way while Angel Helena has remained consistent this preparation.
Selections: 4-7-9-2
Suggested Bet: Going to stick with Zing here and back him to win ($2.90).
Race 4 Benchmark-88 Handicap (1400m) @ 3:00pm
All Time Legend
Returned to the track with a brilliant first-up win last start when he showed a brilliant turn of foot to put his opposition away. This is tougher, but he has a lot of class and the closing sectionals of his last run were very sharp. He has four wins from his six starts and has done it in all conditions. Could be a very good horse going forward if he wins again today.
Subedar
High-class horse who has been off the scene for some time with his last run coming in the 2019 Caulfield Guineas when he finished fourth to Super Seth. He had a nice trial win leading in, beating stablemate Tiny, and while he may need a few runs to be at his peak, his class should see him run a top race.
Dream Circle bounced back to winning ways last start and stays down low in the weights with the jump up in class while I think McCormack can show big improvement second-up and True Decetive's best will see him be competitive.
Selections: 5-4-3-10
Suggested Bet: Think All Time Legend will be hard to beat once again but is too short at the current price. No Bet.
Race 5 Benchmark-78 Handicap (1500m) @ 3:40pm
Brutality
Was a strong winner first-up last start in a race that has rated well and should have some solid form come from it. Should take improvement from that run and he will not mind the Soft 7 conditions with the Soft track record he possesses. Wide draw looks a tough one to overcome but should go close if he does.
Greek Hero
Was my best bet for last night at Canterbury before he was scratched for this and I like the intent from the Freedmans to take on the tougher race. He was excellent last start behind Dream Circle (who we will get a form reference off in the previous race) and was a good thing beaten in the Nowra Cup. Looks a solid tempo in the race to give him his chance to run on from the back.
Think Off Shaw will improve immensely here second-up and run a top race while Ulysses was good behind Brutality last start. Bold And Wild looks a very good chance also at the big odds.
Selections: 7-5-6-2
Suggested Bet: Backing Greek Hero here each-way ($5 win, $1.95 place).
Race 6 Benchmark-88 Handicap (1200m) @ 4:20pm
Big Parade
Returned to winning ways last tine out in a dominant performance which saw him win by 3.3 lengths. Faces some tough opposition here, but has been given a lot of favours with the track conditions and drawing barrier one. Should be right in the finish once again.
King Of Hastings
Ran okay first-up in the Listed Christmas Stakes when running sixth to Pandemic at Caulfield. He comes into this second-up, where he has a terrific record of a win and two placings from threw starts. Should be able to roll forward and find himself just off the speed and get every chance in the run. Expecting a good performance.
Bandersnatch
Was a big winner first-up at Moonee Valley when he was able to come from last to salute. He was badly held up last start when a beaten favourite at Flemington behind Mr Money Bags. Comes back to the 1200m and should not mind the sting out of the ground. With even luck, he should go very close.
Big watch on Handspun first-up here, they look as though they’ll set a strong tempo and give her the chance to wind up from the back. Has a solid fresh record. Mo's Crown will look to turn the tables on Big Parade from last start.
Selections: 4-1-2-7
Suggested Bet: Backing Bandersnatch here to win ($5).
Race 7 Listed Christmas Cup (2000m) @ 5:00pm
Spirit Ridge
Has been terrific since arriving in Australia where he has yet to miss a top two finish. Good win last time out when he was tough to hold out Best of Days in the Group 3 Summer Cup. His form leading into this has been solid and he is two wins from two starts on Soft surfaces. Draws well and should be in the finish once again.
Fulmina
Was a beaten favourite last time out in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf at Gosford. She steps up in trip from the mile to the 2000m, which she looks to be crying out for. Down in the weights and looks to get a good run from the draw. Big chance.
Laure Me In
Ran well last start in the Group 3 Summer Cup when he was beaten by just over a length by Spirit Ridge. He gets a three kilogram swing in the weights in his favour for this start which should bridge tge margin between the two. Rarely runs a bad race and should be right there in the finish.
Gone Bye should be up on speed and has been a model of consistency so far this preparation while Missybeel has claims at big odds.
Selections: 11-2-3-6
Suggested Bet: Backing Fulmina to win ($5.50).
Race 8 Benchmark-78 Handicap (1800m) @ 5:40pm
Sacramento
Good first-up performance when he finished third to Amica over the 1800m. Comes into thus second-up and should strip fitter from that first-up run. Looks like he might be taken on by a few horses for the lead which won’t help his chances but looks a top chance to be in the placings at the very least.
Space Is Deep
Ran on very well last start despite being held up for a moment in the straight last start when finishing third to Trajection first-up. She comes into this second-up and should appreciate the rise in distance. She was scratched from an easier race last night at Canterbury for this and the tempo in the race should give her a top chance to run up from the back.
Kiss The Bride
Expecting a bounce back performance here from Kiss The Bride. It was a good effort by him last start when he finished fifth to Bigboyroy. Should be rock hard fit now and will appreciate the step up in trip where she has an excellent record over. If he can overcome the sticky draw, he is a big winning hope.
New Arrangement won well last start and should come on from that win and be competitive in this while Criminal Code and My Demetra have been in good form.
Selections: 1-11-6-3
Suggested Bet: Having two bets here with more on the place than win for both. Backing Kiss The Bride ($8.50 win, $2.70 place) and Space Is Deep ($10 win, $3.10 place).
Race 9 Fillies & Mares Benchmark-78 Handicap (1500m) @ 6:15pm
More Prophets
Was pipped in a bunched finish last start when finishing third to Bluff N Buster when taking on the boys last start. She comes back to her own sex here and looks to be able to get a gun run from barrier five. Has yet to miss a place in her career and she looks like she can continue that record in this.
Strawb
Was a good thing beaten two starts back before last start saw him fly home to finish a narrow second to Ulysseys at Warwick Farm. She should appreciate the strong tempo that there looks likely to be and the step up in trip looks to suit. Gets her chance to return to the winners stalls.
Dame Kiri has been terrific this preparation with two wins from two and has an excellent record on Soft tracks. Helga should get a good run in the race from barrier three and Bowery Breeze was a good winner last start and should go close once again.
Selections: 8-3-10-6
Suggested Bet: Backing Strawb here each-way ($5 win, $1.90 place).
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