Sydney metropolitan racing draws to a close for 2024 at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Nine races are scheduled to be run and won on a track that is likely to have just enough give in it for all runners with the rail in the true position the entire course.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below to help those punters looking to end their year on the right note.
Memo (6) produced an eye-catching performance when resuming in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic last start.
The daughter of Capitalist was taken to the back from the wide barrier before being held up in the straight, but to her credit she hit the line hard once clear to finish a neck second to O’ Ole.
She’s been plagued by bad barriers to start her career and this draw isn’t much better, but there looks to be good speed in the race which should see Kerrin McEvoy slide across and settle in a midfield position.
1 Unit – Memo (6)
Cambar (4) has started his career in perfect fashion with three wins from as many starts.
The Pierata colt won found the line strongly after settling well back to win his first two races at Wagga before being spelled.
He returned a month ago in a Highway Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill where he let down powerfully to win by a head.
That run suggested he’s a Country Championships contender and with increased fitness second-up, he can further enhance those credentials.
1 Units – Cambar (4)
Emmadella (2) was unlucky not to finish closer than her 2.2 length fourth when resuming in a Midway Handicap here last start.
The John Thompson-trained mare settled back and was held up for a large portion of the straight but found the line well once clear but the bird had flown by that stage.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in distance given her 1400m record stands at a win and three seconds from four starts.
Nash Rawiller is a strong booking.
1 Unit – Emmadella (2)
Unstopabull (4) produced a strong first-up effort when resuming at Canterbury last start despite not much going his way.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding bounded out of the gates two lengths behind the field and was buffeted and held up in the straight but to his credit he picked up strongly in the closing stages to finish 1.5 lengths third.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the likely fast tempo.
Nash Rawiller replacing the 3kg claimer is a big plus.
1 Unit Each Way – Unstopabull (4)
Jewellery (3) was unlucky two starts ago when resuming over 1100m at Rosehill.
The Godolphin mare loomed in the straight with plenty to offer but was held up badly and should have finished closer than her 2.8 length fifth.
She never shirked the task last start over this course and distance despite racing wide throughout and finished 1.9 lengths third.
Her best career run came when third-up last preparation where she let down powerfully to win easily at Caulfield so hopefully we see a similar spike now she’s back against her own sex.
1 Unit – Jewellery (3)
Shangri La Express (9) performed below expectations in two black-type race last preparation, so connections decided to spell and geld him.
The decision appears to have had a positive effect based on two recent trials against quality horses with the most recent resulting in a win over Kin.
He has raced well fresh in the past, most notably pushing subsequent G1 winner Switzerland when finishing a close second in the Pierro Plate earlier this year.
Rachel King can take advantage of him being the only real go forward horse in the race by dictating proceedings.
1 Unit – Shangri La Express (9)
Liberty State (8) has come back this preparation in great style.
The Team Hawkes-trained mare gave a good sight first-up over 1250m at Canterbury only to be nutted on the line by Captain Amelia who won here last Saturday.
She was backed as if unbeatable last start when rising to this distance and duly saluted, arrogantly putting her rivals to the sword.
She’ll strip fitter and won her only previous third-up race by five lengths at Ballarat.
Jay Ford can use her early speed to settle in a prominent position from the good gate.
1 Unit – Liberty State (8)
Saltcoats (5) could not have been more impressive when winning second-up over 1800m here last start.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding sustained a long run to win by a length and not just win but be the strongest through the line.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance as he did the only time he previously raced over it when running on strongly to finish a length third in the G2 Tulloch Stakes.
Nash Rawiller can settle just off what looks a strong speed.
2 Units – Saltcoats (5)
Fortune (4) cost himself victory when returning over 1550m at Canterbury last start.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained import found the line strongly but wanted to lay in the whole straight and that proved the difference with him finishing just under a length second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to get a great run for Tyler Schiller just behind the speed.
1 Unit Each Way – Fortune (4)