This Saturday I have just four to follow and we’ll kick off at Randwick.
Nazwah could not have been more impressive when making her debut over 1100m at Gosford and the daughter of Capitalist looks to have a bright future.
Jumping away well off the inside barrier, she surged straight to the lead and never looked back, extending her margin impressively in the closing stages to score by more than three lengths.
With natural improvement she’s certainly one to follow. Tom Sherry retains the ride for Peter Snowden, and they look well-placed to make it back-to-back wins.
If you backed Tarpaulin last start, it certainly wasn’t easy viewing. Resuming as a gelding, the Godolphin galloper raced far too keenly and pulled himself into the three-wide line after refusing to settle in behind runners.
He loomed ominously at the 200m mark, appearing to have their measure, but just peaked late on his run late.
Since then, he’s been back to the trials and, while he still wanted to overdo things, Zac Lloyd kept him in a solid rhythm and he was strong through the line.
Lloyd sticks for race day, hopping aboard at just 52.5kg. With ear muffs added and an inside draw, Tarpaulin has every chance to rebound sharply.
Off to Doomben where there’s two that I’m keen on –
Amur didn’t enjoy the smoothest run when resuming for his new stable, but he’s sure to have taken plenty of improvement from the outing.
Now in the hands of Tony Gollan, the former Godolphin galloper was caught three wide over 1200m at this track. He loomed up in the early part of the straight, faded slightly, then found another gear late to finish ahead of several rivals.
A stakes-winning son of Snitzel, Amur showed considerable promise early in his career, scoring on debut and again at his second start, then placing in the VRC Sires’ at his fourth outing before a commanding win in the Group 3 Baillieu Stakes earned him a well-deserved spell.
Minor setbacks restricted his appearances over the following year, but he returned in fine order to score over this course and distance during last year’s Winter Carnival.
Fitter after that first-up performance, the step up to 1350m looks ideal, and he benefits from a slight drop in grade. With Ryan Maloney taking the reins and a favourable low draw, he’s sure to get every opportunity to make an impact.
Mister Bianco strung together three consecutive wins before enduring a luckless run last start over this course and distance.
The Zousain gelding was awkwardly away, settling two lengths off the second-last runner early on but he quickly kicked up to position with a few behind him.
Approaching the top of the straight, he struck traffic and was forced to shift across heels. Despite carrying a big weight, he made solid ground late to finish fourth in what was a gallant effort under the circumstances.
A talented galloper, he presents hard fit and looks primed to bounce back. With clear running, he should prove too sharp for this field. Ryan Maloney, who has partnered him successfully before, goes back aboard for trainer Paul Shailer.