A big day of Saturday racing comes around for one of the final times in 2020. After what has been a crazy year, there would be no better way to send it off than with a few winners around the country. Randwick hosts a strong 10-race card in Sydney, while HQ Flemington is the main venue in Melbourne. There is stakes racing at Doomben and Ascot in the west, and Gawler gets a run on a Saturday in Adelaide.
Flemington:
R2 #4 Hickok $5.50 at PlayUp – Keen to take on the favourite and side with Hickok in this competitive 1200m bm70 event down the straight. Returning from a spell, the two recent jump outs of this horse have been extremely impressive, looking very strong and very forward in both of them. He won first cup last prep, and it was an eye catching win as he flashed from the rear of the field in some great closing sectionals. I’m tipping that the favourite and others set a quite genuine tempo down the stretch, and he can sit off that and do his best work late.
R5 #8 King Magnus $4.20 at PlayUp – Coming here fourth up, and already has two wins and a gallant fourth placing under his belt this preparation. Last start at Sandown he was forced to work hard to sit up outside the lead, and did very well to stick on into fourth. The leader in that race dropped out to run ninth, and the top three all ran on from behind midfield, which just adds even more merit to the run of King Magnus. He looks a much improved horse this prep, the stable is flying as well. Fourth up to 1600m is suitable, and he gets a crucial weight swing on others with the 2kg claim. Can find a handy position in the run and continue the strong run of form.
Randwick:
R1 #6 Coastwatch $11.00 at PlayUp – Thought the price of Coastwatch was too good not to have a play at, coming off an extremely unlucky third at Warwick Farm when finishing 0.7L off the winner, but having absolutely no room the entire straight. It was a bit of a train wreck watch, and that was off the back of a Rosehill run on debut where things also didn’t go his way. James McDonald has elected to stick aboard, which looks to be a huge push that he is out to make amends for last start. Drawn very well again in barrier five, third up now and should be reaching peak fitness, and with only 55.5kg on his back here which is a very competitive weight swing, I think the double figure quote is wrong.
R5 #4 Fulmina $2.70 at PlayUp – A deserved favourite here in the fifth race, Fulmina comes off a third placing when fresh at Rosehill. She settled last in running that day, which was already a near-impossible winning position for the way the track was favouring on-pace runners on that day. She rattled home out wide on the track from last to finish third, and clearly ran the fastest final 800/600/400/200m of the race. Those sectionals also rated very highly on the day, adding more merit. Out to a mile now second up is ideal, the 2kg claim for T Sherry again is useful, and with added fitness here she should be winning.
Doomben:
R7 #16 Ruuca $3.60 at PlayUp – Ruuca looks very well placed by the Edmonds’ camp here, coming off a strong win last start here at Doomben over the 1050m. Only up very slightly in trip, and again gets in with a very low weight in what looks to be a below average BM85 event. The wet track should be no issue, he was a dominant Ipswich maiden winner on heavy going and his only failure on soft was in the G1 Coolmore down the Flemington straight, which can obviously be forgiven. The wide draw likewise no issue, for a horse that will restrain anyway and stalk the tempo set in front. He’s racing in good form, and with the 54kg on his back I believe he can start to string a few wins together consecutively.
