A typical end of year Saturday racing coming up, with horses of a slightly lesser ability getting their chance to earn the big prize money that remains on offer in the city. The headline racing today is at Ascot, with the G2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes. The Wizard of the West William Pike is on the favourite, and it is shaping up to be a big day for the hoop, who also retains the ride on the very talented This’ll Testya in race 5. The Sydney meeting has been transferred to Randwick due to the weather, and a number of exciting prospects continue their push towards the Magic Millions series with the Falvelon Quality at Eagle Farm. Check out Lewis Willoughby’s five best bets of the day below.
Flemington:
R3 #4 Flying Krupt $12 at PlayUp – Thought this Phillip Stokes mare might have a good chance here first up at double figure odds. This horse has never missed a place first up (5:1-4), and likewise is a very effective galloper at the distance (7:2-3). Last prep first up ran down the straight over 1200m and finished second, hopefully she is forward enough here over the 1000m to be very competitive. Have a go each way.
R9 #12 Sebrakate $3.30 at PlayUp (Play Of The Day) – I expect this colt to be too classy in the last race of the day. Returns from a 9 week let up, has trialed nicely at Tatura and gets the application of a cross-over nose band today to keep him straight. Form lines last prep were behind Bivouac, Super Seth and Dalasan, he’s drawn barrier 1 today and is down on the weights.
Randwick:
R1 #10 The Big Easy $9.00 at PlayUp – There was support for this galloper on debut at The Valley, didn’t have the best of luck that day. That race has turned out to be very strong form wise, coming to Sydney for the first time and stepping up an extra 200m to suit. The claim for R Dolan improves it’s chances, definitely worth an each way play.
R7 #4 Word For Word $2.25 at PlayUp – Second up here after an encouraging first up performance. Will be fitter/better for that run, drawn well here and is twice placed second up before. Also noting that Rawiller has stuck with the ride and there has been some early market support too.
Ascot:
R8 #5 Regal Power $1.95 at PlayUp – This Bob Peters gelding was a stylish winner of the G1 Railway two starts back, before a sound effort in the G1 Kingston Town. Steps up to 2100m for the first time, but going off that Railway win it should be very hard to beat. Pike gets back on board, and it will be descending on them at the 200m.
