Royal Randwick will host Sydney’s major metropolitan card on Saturday, and nine talent-rich races are on the program.
Another heavy track appears to be imminent, while the rail will be set out nine metres from 1600m to the winning post, and seven metres around the remainder.
This is a rise in class for Fling, but she could hardly have been more impressive this preparation and can continue her winning run of form.
The All Too Hard filly broke her maiden with ease at Gundagai first-up and was last seen recording another dominant win in Class 2 company at Cowra.
There are no real stars in this race, and I am happy to have a small play at the price.
1 Unit E/W Fling
Golden Avenger has improved for two starts this time and looks a winning chance in this week’s Highway race.
The Cameron Crockett-trained gelding finished midfield at Mudgee when fresh, and finished a length second at Tamworth last time, whereby he gave the winner 5kgs.
Fitter third-up and from barrier 6, he should be fighting out the finish.
2 Units Golden Avenger
This is an excellent race and there is a case to be made for nearly every horse, but I’m going to take the value around black type winner Noble Boy.
Noble Boy failed to fire in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill last week, but his form prior to that effort was excellent and included a classy win in the Listed Winter Stakes.
He gets some relief in the weights with Tom Sherry’s claim and he’s drawn to receive a lovely run from gate 4.
2 Units E/W Noble Boy
Emanate hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but she’s also yet to run a bad race, and she can make a winning return in the fourth at Randwick on Saturday.
The Lonhro filly finished second on debut at Hawkesbury and broke her maiden in style second-up at Wyong.
She was last seen finishing third behind the likes of Dirty Work in a metro sprint over 1100m, and she’s had the benefit of a couple of nice trials in the lead-up to her return.
3 Units Emanate
Word For Word has returned some pleasing efforts this time and I am happy to stick with her on Saturday.
It did take her a few to find her best form this time in, but she beat a smart field to the line on the heavy at Rosehill three back and has been reasonably luckless at her last two efforts.
James McDonald jumps back into the saddle and the horse is rock-hard fit for this assignment.
3 Units Word For Word
Kiss The Bride is another horse that has continued to improve with racing this time and he is ready to win on Saturday.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding finished down the order here at Randwick when resuming, but has placed at his two subsequent starts, including a close-up second in BM78 company last time out.
James McDonald jumps into the saddle and with even luck from out wide, this does look his race.
4 Units Kiss The Bride
Inanup doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish at Randwick again on Saturday.
He’s been the stable star for Jarrod Austin for several campaigns now, and resumed this time to finish a close-up second behind Adelong, before returning to winning form in a similar race to this, last time out.
We’re not getting the double-figure quote that he often goes around at, but he’ll have conditions to suit and still looks a terrific bet at around the $5 mark.
4 Units Inanup
She looked a little flat last time, but Fulmina’s form prior to that effort was outstanding and I am happy to give her the opportunity to atone at Randwick on Saturday.
The Snitzel filly has recorded two wins and a close-up second from her four starts back from a spell, including a particularly eye-catching effort in good company two back.
Mark Newnham’s horses are flying and Fulmina can return the stable another win.
4 Units Fulmina
This is a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re faced with a little under $5 the field.
Chalk will carry just 52.5kgs and has genuine each-way claims at around the $17 mark.
The Canford Cliffs gelding didn’t show a lot last time in, but resumed for an eye-catching win at Gosford a couple of weeks ago, and will only improve for that effort.
The barrier isn’t a concern as he’ll settle off the pace regardless, and with even luck, he can fight out the finish.
1 Unit E/W Chalk