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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the All Aged Stakes meeting at Randwick on April 18 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
RANDWICK April 18
Best Bets
RACE 4: (1) PLAINTIFF: Exciting mare reeled off big sectionals to come from last in her impressive first-up win over 1200m to remain unbeaten. She can only improve on that effort as a 2kg rise is not severe under the set weight conditions with her liking for Randwick already established.
RACE 7 - (1) CAMPIONE D'ITALIA: He's the obvious winner coming through superior G1 races with the best form. He's won the G2 Skyline, a huge fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper and outclassed them for a soft win in the G1 Sires' Produce when stepping up to 1400m. In a year where the 2YO ranks have lacked depth there's no reason why he won't be just as strong over the extra 200m with the others having to close the gap on him.
RACE 9: (8) ANGEL CAPITAL: Luckless in numerous G1 contest, much of it his own doing due to his race manners. However a barrier extension will be used this time to help him jump cleanly and with the race map in his favour this is his chance for that overdue major win as he is ideally placed over 1400m on this big track. He's primed off an excellent Canterbury trial and take the lead that J Mac had the choice of stable rides.
Selections
RACE 1: (11) AUDENZIA; (4) Audrey's Lane; (3) Mailata; (7) Unique Ambition
RACE 2: (7) CHRISTA; (14) Bonnie Murringo; (3) Occult; (11) Red Rags To Bulls
RACE 3: (11) ESTREMO; (3) De Bergerac; (14) Our Queen; (16) Scintilla
RACE 4: (1) PLAINTIFF; (3) Karinska; (9) Beside The Ocean; (7) Horseshoe Hill
RACE 5: (3) EUREKA REBEL; (1) Matias; (4) Olympian; (5) Decalogue
RACE 6: (9) PORTLAND; (5) Travolta; (4) She's A Dealer; (15) Bear On The Loose
RACE 7: (1) CAMPIONE D'ITALIA; (2) Fireball; (10) Miss Chanel; (4) Southend
RACE 8: (7) KING'S SECRET; (1) Private Eye; (4) Mazu; (3) Jokers Grin
RACE 9: (8) ANGEL CAPITAL; (2) Jimmysstar; (14) Beiwacht; (1) Giga Kick
RACE 10: (18) CAPTAIN FURAI; (6) Lord Penman; (13) Snow In May; (9) Cool Jakey
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 - (11) AUDENZIA: Good efforts in the Provincial Series. Rates well off those performances.
RACE 2 - (7) CHRISTA: All the better for recent starts. Well placed on previous Highway form.
RACE 3 - (11) ESTREMO: Strong spring form for this class. Set to perform off good trials.
RACE 5 - (3) EUREKA REBEL: Developing stayer. Expect his Tulloch Stakes form to hold up.
RACE 6 - (9) PORTLAND: Strong prep runs topped off by a soft trial. Ready to peak.
RACE 8: (7) KING'S SECRET: No doubt he has the talent. Maps to get a much better run than last time.
RACE 10: (18) CAPTAIN FURAI: Big improver this prep. Weighted to keep the roll going.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – April 18
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Estremo (R3); Scintilla (R3); Barrengarry (R5); Brave One (R8); Jokers Grin (R8); Angel Capital (R9); Beiwacht (R9); Ostraka (R8); Bauhinia (R8); Fangirl (R9); Lazzura (R9); Whinchat (R10)
ASCOT SATURDAY: Caballus (R8)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Lulumon (R9)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Hammoon Heroine (R2)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Champere; Golden Straand; Viewpoint; Tempted; Cherry Bomshell; Probability Theory; Spione; La Basilique; Extremely Tempted; Point And Shoot; Blitzgal; Plaintiff; Joliestar; Blue Door; Call Me Mojo; Just Response; Maidoff; Shalash; Lightning Glory; Roselyn's Star; Tenenbaum; Idle Flyer; Sir Les; Poisonous; Caesar; I'm A Beaut; Cristal Clear, Lazzura; Flying For Fun
TRIAL POINTERS
CANTERBURY April 10: BEIWACHT showed he's ready for a peak performance cruising through his 900m heat with style (54.14; 34.02), doing it easily from start to finish under no pressure. A fast 900m heat (53.92; 33.71) had plenty of depth with the closing efforts of ANGEL CAPITAL and GUMDROPS could not be missed. In the fastest 900m heat (53.35; 34.10) the closing effort of OSTRAKA made an impression. Noted efforts from the 1100m trials included strong closing work by SCINTILLA.
ROSEHILL April 2: Notable triallers included easy work by the classy BRAVE ONE in his 900m open heat (53.93; 33.92). Chris Waller runners to take the eye with soft trials included the G1 winner LAZZURA
WARWICK FARM March 30: The G1 stars FANGIRL and PRIVATE EYE improved on their recent first-up trials with more positive efforts. FANGIRL looked on song working home nicely for fifth in her 1208m heat won by ROYAL PATRONAGE (72.82; 35.41) while PRIVATE EYE was warming to his work late when fourth in his 821m heat (49.02; 33.54).
RANDWICK March 27: Newmarket Handicap winner CABALLUS finished second but he was the star of the fastest open heat over 1050m (64.32; 35.20). He wasn't ridden for speed and settled an easy third before working home with plenty in reserve, showing he has held his form well since his G1 win at Flemington. Perth star JOKERS GRIN was a solid third in his 1050m heat, showing more intent than in his first Sydney trial. ESTREMO had plenty in reserve through the line in the 3YO heat over 745m.
WARWICK FARM March 20: The G1 stars PRIVATE EYE and FANGIRL had their first trials after a break from racing but it's hard to know what to make of their performances. The 8YO veteran PRIVATE EYE trailed his 795m heat from start to finish and was beaten almost 14 lengths while the 7YO mare FANGIRL settled back in the pack and made no impression in her 795m heat to be beaten almost eight lengths. It's easy to conclude that both were having easy conditioning trials and at their age it's to be expected they appreciate a soft build up to their return to action. I suspect they are being set for campaigns that may take them to Queensland so it will be interesting to see how they perform in their next trials.
RANDWICK March 16: Perth star JOKERS GRIN looks ready to make an impact for the Waller stable. The winner of nine of his 13 starts in Perth had a soft trial in his 740m heat, working to the line between horses to be beaten less than two lengths with a lot to offer.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected April 11 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
BUFFALO; COTE ATLANTIQUE; MIDTOWN BOSS; SHE'S A HUSTLER; SPLASH BACK; UNIVERSE; VIRTUAL ILLUSION
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 18
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Karinska (R4); Tomato Toastie (R4); Bird Whistle (R4); Beside The Ocean (R4); Matias (R5); Nomadic (R7); Salann (R7); King's Secret (R8); Bauhinia (R8); Briasa (R9); Headley Grange (R9); Zambardo (R10)
MORNINGTON SATURDAY: Pounding (R8); La Fracas (R9)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Dream Lantern (R2); Brave Monarch (R8)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Wild Thoughts (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Silvasista; Smexy; Diameter; Certify; Too Darn Discreet; Autumn Boy; Aeliana; Salty Pearl; Scampi; Chidiac; Pinito; Scheelite; Chayan; Supercilious; Birdman; Verona Rose; My Phar Lady; Green Fly; Warrior For Peace; Bengal Diamond; Fingers Hunter; Assailant; Furious; Alibaba