Randwick inside mail: Yulong eyes big day in Sydney and Melbourne

Racing giant Yulong can continue its stellar run of success with big-race chances at Randwick and Flemington on Saturday.

Yulong, the racing and breeding giant, can continue its stellar run of success with Magic Time, Kimochi and Tycoon Star at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

At Royal Randwick, Magic Time is the early TAB favourite at $4.20 against a crack field of sprinters in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Kimochi is on the second line of betting at $4.40 for the Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and Tycoon Star ($10) lines up against some of the best two-year-olds colts in training for the Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m).

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Yulong supremo Vin Cox said dual Group 1 winner Magic Time, trained by Grahame Begg, has done everything right since her brilliant first-up win in the Expressway Stakes two weeks ago.

“Her first-up win was enormous,’’ Cox said.

“If there is any rain around in Sydney, that won’t bother her, she handles all tracks.’’

The Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi resumes today after her breakthrough Group 1 win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring.

“Kimochi’s Group 1 win was a real thrill because when he purchased the mare, we decided to leave her with Gary so it was a great result for everyone involved,’’ Cox said.

“The way Gary is talking about Kimochi, there is an air of confidence about her for Saturday.’’

The Team Hayes-trained Tycoon Star finished fast for third behind another Yulong-owned two-year-old, Devil Night, in the Group 1 Blue Diamond at Caulfield and continues his Golden Slipper preparation in the Todman Stakes.

“Tycoon Star had a flashing light on him last start,’’ Cox said.

“It will be interesting to see how he measures up at Randwick.’’

• Ray and Duff’s tips, analysis for Randwick

Yulong also has big-race chances at Flemington with gifted colt Growing Empire in the Group 1 $1.5m Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and outstanding filly Treasurethe Moment is chasing her sixth consecutive win in the Group 2 $300,000 Kewney Stakes (1600m).

“Growing Empire was disappointing first-up, no question,’’ Cox said of the colt’s seventh behind Skybird in the Lightning Stakes.

“He got a bit fired up with the blinkers on last start so the blinkers have come off for the Newmarket Hopefully he can get a bit of a smother and be the attacker.

“Treasurethe Moment went for a break after winning the (VRC) Oaks last spring and to see her return at Caulfield and go whack was very exciting. She’s such a professional and all going well she will go to the Vinery Stud Stakes in Sydney next start.’’

Cox also provided an update on super mare Via Sistina, who won her fifth Group 1 race of the season in the Verry Elleegant Stakes last week, and Blue Diamond hero Devil Night.

Via Sistina has come through her win in very good order and is likely to go to the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, March 22.

This is also where Devil Night is expected to race next although Cox said no final decision has been on a Golden Slipper start.

“Devil Night is back in Sydney and John Hawkes will cast his eye over the horse in the next few days,’’ Cox said.

“If the colt is bouncing out of his skin we will take straight to the Golden Slipper, if he isn’t we will give him a little rest.’’

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BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: Pocketing $2.80-$2.50, Bernen Win $15-$7 including a $1000 e/w wager at $10/$3

Race 2: Yoshinobu $3.60-$3.50, Zeitung $4.60-$4.20, Perspiration $6-$5.50, Catch The Glory $26-$10

Race 3: Nullabor Jane $11-$7.50

Race 4: Wodeton $2.50-$2.20 with a $2000 bet at $2.40, Tentyris $15-$9.50

Race 5: It’s A Knockout $3.60-$3.30, Mare Of Mt Buller $4.60-$4

Race 6: I Am Me $3.50-$3.20, Kimochi $4.40-$4.20, Kallos $11-$10, Jedibeel $15-$11

Race 7: Swiftfalcon $4.60-$4

Race 8: Here To Shock $8-$7, 1-Ceolwulf $11-$7.50

Race 9: Our Anchorage $3.60-$3.20, Alalcance $8-$3.90 with bets of $2200 at $5, $2200 at $4.40, Kinesiology $6-$5.50, Asterix $8-$6

Race 10: Commemorative $6-$4.20, Shezanalister $11-$5.50

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 1,3,6

Race 4: 1,2,4,5

Race 5: 3,6,7

Race 6: 1,6,9,10

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,2,9

Race 8: 9,10,11,12

Race 9: 1,4,9,17

Race 10: 4,8,10

• Shayne O’Cass’ Randwick Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis

PRICE CHECK

Alalcance (race 9) is the best-backed runner on the Royal Randwick program. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alalcance has firmed from $8 to be challenging for favouritism at $3.90 in the Randwick City Stakes after consistent support including bets of $2200 at $5 and $2200 at $4.40.

TRIAL POINTERS

Nullarbor Jane (race 3) is by Broadsiding’s sire, Too Darn Hot, and she has been very impressive winning successive Randwick barrier trials last month. Nullarbor Jane was simply too fast for well-bred colt Grand Prairie winning a 1050m heat in fast time last week. This is a tough ask going to a Reisling Stakes on debut she looks a talented filly.

Sunshine In Paris (race 8) is a noted first-up performer, winning three races (and a second placing) from four attempts, and her two recent barrier trials indicate she is ready to sprint well fresh. She looked sharp chasing home the brilliant Private Harry in a Rosehill 1000m heat last month.

SECTIONAL STARS

Swiftfalcon (race 7) settled at the rear of the field, was the widest runner on the turn and closed off strongly to run a first-up second to Broadsiding in the Hobartville Stakes. Swiftfalcon’s effort to get within a length of the winner on the line was outstanding given he ran his final 600m in a very fast 32.88sec – easily the best closing sectional of the meeting.

Broadsiding returns with a bang! 💥 He's just too good for them in the G2 Hobartville Stakes - and that's a 4th Rosehill winner for @ZacLloydx 👏@JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/5brw4Y5sdV

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 22, 2025

Shezanalister (race 10) is renowned for her fast-finishing sprint and she was at it again at Rosehill two weeks ago, albeit finishing third to Time To Boogie. Shezanalister zoomed home in 33.16sec for her final 600m, with her closing 200m split of 11.12sec the best of the day.

BEST BET

Tempted (race 3), a debut Warwick Farm winner back in December, was luckless when resuming in the Widden Stakes. She was slow away and a clear last on settling down, then charged home near the inside to finish a close second. Tempted was given her chance in the Blue Diamond at Caulfield and luck was against her again before she finished strongly for seventh. Talented filly who just needs to get over from her wide barrier and find cover. Tempted gets James McDonald this time and if she gets even luck in running, then rely on her powerful finishing burst.

The Playwright controls the Widden Stakes and clings to victory! @[e-mail]/lqFrIyHz7u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

VALUE BET

Enriched (race 2) was stakes placed last spring and resumed with a solid effort when the closest of thirds over 1100m at Rosehill two weeks ago. He’s fitter now and this well-bred colt – he’s by super sire I Am Invincible out of a half-sister to all-time great mare Winx – has drawn ideally in barrier one. Enriched is lightly-raced, he has obvious potential, and gets his chance to win at stakes level in the Fireball Stakes.

Originally published as Randwick inside mail: Yulong eyes big day in Sydney and Melbourne