Massive G1 day of racing coming out of Randwick, as we see The Championships Day One take centre stage. A massive four Group One events will be run and won over the course of the afternoon, including the Inglis Sires’, the Australian Derby, the TJ Smith Stakes and then Doncaster Mile. Have a look at our expert selections below.
Randwick:
Race 1 #8 Vandoula Lass $4.80 at Playup – Keen on the Hawkes’ Vandoula Lass in the opener, jumping from barrier number two with Craig Williams booked to ride. Her two runs last prep were very strong, including a scintillating debut demolition at Sandown, followed by a very game 2nd behind Rocket Tiger who has since run in a Golden Slipper. She comes here fresh to the 1100m, and can clearly handle rain affected ground going off her performances last prep. She could be the class horse of this field, is drawn very well in barrier two and this combination of rider/trainer is proven to be successful.
Suggested bet: Win bet #8 Vandoula Lass
Race 7 (G1 Australian Derby) #16 Montefilia $3.70 at Playup – Confident this 3yo filly is smart enough to take out the G1 here over the 2400m, coming into this run third up off two solid lead in runs. She was only beaten 5L in the G1 Surround fresh over a very unsuitable 1400m trip, and she then ran an absolute bottler behind Mo’unga in the G1 Rosehill Guineas last start over 2000m. Third up peak fit here, out in trip and clearly racing in excellent form. Gets in on the minimum being a 3yo filly, and has drawn perfectly in barrier 4. Wet or dry it won’t worry her, as long as she gets the gaps in the run she should be winning.
Suggested bet: Win bet #16 Montefilia
Race 8 (G1 TJ Smith Stakes) #11 September Run $11 at Playup – Can’t believe there is double figures available about this proven 1200m G1 winner. She comes into this run fourth up off what on paper could be described as an underwhelming prep, but when you look further into it there is good explanation for each run. First up she almost rolled Nature Strip when flying from back in the field, then started favourite in the Newmarket and had some excuses in the run, left without cover a long way out and struggled to improve as the leaders controlled. She then got back to last and flew home in the William Reid last start, and had it not been run at Moonee Valley she probably wins. Peak fit now, back to a bigger circuit and will be helped by the intense tempo set in front.
Suggested bet: Each way #11 September Run
Caulfield:
Race 3 #4 Pravro $11 at Playup – Best each way bet of the entire day here in Pravro, who has been completely missed by the market. Third up here, and was a tragedy last start in the 955m final at The Valley after missing the kick, settling four pairs back the fence, and almost falling in the home straight. Even after all that, he flew home through the line and was right on the heels of Sister past the post. Go back to his fresh run, and he dominated a BM78 field over 1000m carrying 56kg. He returns to that grade now even fitter third up, and will only carry 55kg after the big claim. Unbelievably well placed, watch him bounce back from last start.
Suggested bet: Win bet #4 Pravro
Race 4 #8 Rainbiel $4.80 at Playup – Fourth up and ready to rejoin the winners stall, after a luckless campaign so far racing in much harder events than the one it finds today. She was a certainty beaten at Caulfield three starts back, only getting clear inside the last 100m and flying home. She then worked very hard to cross and lead in the G3 Typhoon Tracy, and was only nutted by Macroura on the line. The form out of that event is very strong, with 7th-placed Night Raid since winning at Listed level in Adelaide. She pulled up sore last start at The Valley, so forgiving that run she gets a big drop in class and is perfectly weighted.
Suggested bet: Win bet #8 Rainbiel
