Ten races will be run and won at Royal Randwick this Saturday and once again it looks like we’ll be racing on a wet track.
The Listed Civic Stakes will headline the program, with a full field of sixteen runners having accepted for the $200k feature.
The rail will be out 3m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a soft 7.
We’ve had a close look at all ten events on the card and our thoughts can be found below.
Nipotina comes off a very impressive last start victory over the 1100m here and looks well placed to repeat that performance.
The son of Snitzel settled in a midfield position, he was always wide but let down strongly in the straight to score comfortably.
The slight rise in trip will suit, he’s drawn to get all the favours and with the 3kg claim for Hannah Williams, he gets in nicely.
1 unit – NIPOTINO
Kapakiri kicked off his campaign with a solid effort over 1500m at Rosehill two weeks ago and will have taken plenty of benefit from the run.
In the heavy conditions he was strong to the line behind a very smart pair, who have both since won again.
The son of Kermadec has been placed in two of three second up outings and the slight rise in trip looks ideal.
Ben Osmond retains the mount for Chris Waller and will take 3kgs off.
1 unit – KAPAKIRI
November Falls has been the runner up at her past two outings and looks ready to win.
Prepared at Kembla Grange by Mitchell Beer, the Scared Falls mare has always shown nice ability and she’s been racing in good form this campaign, relishing the wet conditions.
She lead them up here two runs back and showed a strong kick but was just collared late.
Last start, up to the mile, it was a similar story again.
She presents here hard fit and gets James McDonald in the saddle.
1 unit – NOVEMBER FALLS
Ladbrokes Racing Club runner Mascaret comes off a very encouraging effort over the mile here.
The Dubawi mare was given a seven week let up after just feeling the firm surface at Eagle Farm and in the heavy conditions last time she powered home late to into fifth, after the wide draw saw her settle at the tail.
With that run under her belt, the step up to 1800m looks ideal and she’ll get conditions to suit.
She does have the outside draw to overcome but gets the services of James McDonald.
1 unit – MASCARET
Kerguelen takes the leap from maiden grade but the son of Lonhro could not have been more impressive when scoring on debut.
Over 1200m at Kembla Grange, the Godolphin galloper travelled three deep outside the leaders in the early part before pressing forward to take up the lead.
When given his cue at the top of the straight, he lengthened out beautifully to post a 9.5 length margin on the line with his ears pricked.
With five weeks since that outing, the team have given him a 1050m trial to keep him up to the mark, where James McDonald just gave him an easy time of things and he sticks with him here.
1 unit – KERGUELEN
Amberite makes the trip from Mornington, presumably in search of a wet track.
The former New Zealander has just had the two Australian starts and won well at his first appearance at Flemington.
Over the 1800m journey he travelled nicely off the speed and let down strongly on the soft 7 surface to score comfortably.
Last start on a very firm track he looked the winner 100m out and was just run down late.
The drop back to 1800m looks ideal and James McDonald will do the steering for Matt Laurie.
1 unit – AMBERITE
Gitalong returns to the races.
The son of Zoustar put it all together last campaign to make it three successive wins but was sent to paddock after pulling up lame when failing on a very firm surface at Geelong.
Prepared by team Hawkes, the three year old showed good natural talent early on, taking part in the Golden Gift and Ballarat Magic Millions Classic, where he performed very well on both occasions.
He’s looked sharp in two recent trials and has drawn to get all the favours under Stradbroke Handicap winning jockey Zac Lloyd.
1 unit – GITALONG
Estadio Mestalla has performed very well in two runs back from a break and will appreciate the slight step up in trip.
He didn’t have the best of luck when resuming in the Takeover Target, where after getting shuffled right back, he was doing his best work late.
Last start he just got too far back once again and charged home late to finish just on the heels of the placegetters.
A winner of two from three third up, he looks ready to peak and with 53kgs on his back and some luck in running, he’ll be right there at the finish.
1 unit – ESTADIO MESTALLA
Kazou was solid when resuming in BM94 grade back in April.
Over 1100m she worked hard in the early part to take up a position and it just tolled late.
With eight weeks since that run, she’s been given a 900m trial where she was strong through the line without being pressured.
Only lightly raced, the four year old daughter of Zoustar has only missed a top three spot on one occasion and she does boast solid form around her.
She drops back slightly in grade and if Tommy Berry can get her into the right spot without using too much petrol early, she should prove hard to beat.
1 unit – KAZOU
Starman has been racing consistently and looks well placed here to get the job done.
Two runs back he just found one better on the day and last time, he was taken wide on the point of the turn and just petered on his run late.
He presents here hard fit, he loves a rain affected track and gets a senior rider back aboard, with Nash Rawiller to do the steering for Chris Waller.
1 unit – STARMAN