The lucrative Inglis Millennium for two-year-olds headlines a quality ten-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The rail will be left in the true position for the Inglis Millennium meeting, while a generally fine week in Sydney has seen the track rated in the Good (4) range at publish.
I’ve run the rule over all ten races, and you can find all of my Randwick tips below.
Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT
Midway Handicap (1600m)
Oh Diamond Lil gets another great chance to win a Midway at Randwick this week.
The So You Think mare has undoubtedly returned to the races and improved galloper this time, and recorded consecutive wins at Kembla Grange and Canterbury before finishing second behind an impressive Perfumist in a similar race at Rosehill last time out.
There’s no doubting her fitness this week, while a mile at Randwick looks very suitable.
2 Units Oh Diamond Lil
Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT
Highway Handicap (1200m)
This is one of the stronger Highway races of the year so far, but I am going to stick with Chidiac.
Chidiac has only made three appearances at the races since debuting, but after winning easily on debut at Quirindi in December, she’s kept alive her unbeaten record in Class 1 and BM58 company.
This is another rise in class, but she continues to leap as the bar is raised, and it doesn’t appear beyond her.
1 Unit Chidiac
Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT
Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m)
The Lonhro Plate almost always tosses up a Golden Slipper chance or two, and this year I think that Godolphin acceptor Chergui can win.
Chergui is one of just five horses in this field of fifteen with previous raceday experience, and he turned in a fine performance on debut to finish second over this route back in December.
A recent trial performance adds further confidence, and he has drawn a peach under Zac Lloyd.
2 Units Chergui
Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT
Inglis Classic Yearling Stakes 9-11 Feb Handicap (1600m)
Another open race with several winning chances engaged, but I cannot unsee what Point And Shoot did here last time, and I’m keen to have something on.
Point And Shoot has been a strong and consistent performer in five runs back from a break, culminating in that eye-catching performance and victory over 1400m here a fortnight ago.
The 1600m looks ideal for him now, he’s a fit horse, and Timmy Clark understandably stays aboard.
2 Units Point And Shoot
Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT
The Westmead Institute For Medical Research Handicap (1300m)
It’s A Knockout was scratched from a midweek race at Warwick Farm to instead run here, and she does look up to the task.
The Dundeel mare made three appearances at the races during her debut prep, recording two wins and a near miss, and she managed to find form around some above-average opposition.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials and can fight out the finish.
1 Unit It’s A Knockout
Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT
ATX Business Connect Sprint (1000m)
Another quality race, and I thought an ideal one for the third-up Midwest at odds ($9 at publish).
Midwest dusted off the cobwebs with a fair effort down at Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day, but turned in a vastly improved performance to finish second at Sandown last time out.
Fitter third-up, there’s no doubting he’ll love the 1000m, and we can have an each way play at the price.
1 Unit E/W Midwest
Race 7 - 4pm AEDT
Inglis Millennium (1100m)
In its short existence, the Inglis Millennium has produced some excellent horses, including Castelvecchio and Learning To Fly, and I am confident that Price Tag can join the winner’s list this Saturday.
A filly by Zoustar, Price Tag has improved for three starts since debuting and ran on well to finish second in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview a fortnight ago.
She has an experience edge over several key rivals here, and she can stamp herself as a serious contender for a race like the Golden Slipper.
3 Units Price Tag
Race 8 - 4:35PM AEDT
Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m)
Linebacker resumes and rates as a key winning chance in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
He knocked on the door of a Group 1 victory during his two-year-old prep, while the son of Super Seth’s spring preparation was undoubtedly ruined by his colt-y antics.
He’s been gelding, he’s raced well fresh previously and he is drawn ideally here under Kerrin McEvoy.
4 Units Linebacker
Race 9 - 5:15pm AEDT
Fujitsu Airstage Handicap (1600m)
Headley Grange is chasing a hat-trick at Randwick on Saturday.
The Exosphere gelding was only just denied here at Randwick when resuming on Boxing Day, but has since recorded consecutive victories at Wyong and back here at Randwick.
In peak order and out to the mile, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
3 Units Headley Grange
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
Mostyncopper Handicap (1200m)
Hezdarnhottoo has been knocking on the door of a win since resuming and gets a great chance on Inglis Millennium Day.
Hezdarnhottoo only just missed in the Sunlight Consolation first-up at the Sunshine Coast before just missing behind Yiska here last time.
Fitter third-up, he might not be offered a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
4 Units Hezdarnhottoo