Saturday selections from the PlayUp form analyst.
The Valley
R1 #5 Red Run Sensation: $4.20 on PlayUp – Coming off a great maiden win first up, this Moody horse I believe can go on with things and score his first city win today. He put them away comfortably at Geelong over the 1230m, recording a meeting fastest last 200m split and a last 600m split that was 5L quicker than average. Drawn well here in barrier four to map just in behind the speed, handles wet going, and Luke Nolen staying aboard is a good push.
R3 #2 Millane: $3.80 on PlayUp – Was very good first up in the G3 Vain Stakes behind the ultra-talented Giga Kick. He sat last in the run and was always going to have a difficult time cutting down the margin to very good horses in front. He ran a meeting fastest last 400m and 200m through the line, and his last 600m time was close to 8L quicker than Group 3 average. Second up here, and can appreciate a hot tempo in a much easier race.
R6 #3 I’mlovinya: $3.50 on PlayUp – Ran really well in her return race last start, finishing 3rd in the G3 Quezette behind Bound For Home. She didn’t have much luck in running either, getting knocked around on the home turn and she fought for a way clear. She found the line nicely after all of that, and it sets her up for a very promising second up start here today. She maps perfectly for this track and distance from barrier three, and is previously one from one undefeated second up, which was a super impressive LR Talindert win last prep.
Randwick
R1 #8 Opal Ridge: $2.40 on PlayUp – Can’t believe this filly isn’t odds on, and in fact I think will trend that direction come race time. Two starts this prep have been in extremely harder races than this, running 2nd to Troach first up on a heavy deck and a last start 8th in the G2 Silver Shadow. Troach has since run well at group level as well, and now Opal Ridge is dropping back to highway grade. She maps well midfield from barrier seven, and the booking of James McDonald here in the first is a huge push for the filly chances. Can only see bad luck beating her today in this race.
R8 #9 Surefire: $3.10 on PlayUp – This ex UK horse could not have been more impressive last start when winning, recording a dominant 1400m victory in the Spring Preview here over 1400m. That distance was something he had never even contested before, and six of eight previous starts had all been over 2000m or longer. It was an excellent return, and we know clearly that he is a horse who wants even further. Second up here, J McDonald holds the ride which is key, and the step to the mile now should only see him getting stronger.
