Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Randwick on Boxing Day

A promising galloper from the Mark Newnham stable can mark his return with a win at Randwick on Boxing Day.

Mark Newnham has untapped galloper Beer Palace set to return at Randwick on Boxing Day.

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass gives his best bets on Boxing Day and runs the rule over the Randwick program.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

RANDWICK

BEST BET

Race 8 No.20: BEER PALACE

Untapped and lightly-raced gelding who won like a good horse on debut. Trialled well for the Boxing Day return.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No.14: PINK BAROQUE

Great granddaughter of Tycoon Lil who is building up to her first win and finds the ideal race here.

VALUE BET

Race 1 No.7: SKYLON

Got a pass mark for the Wyong 1350m run 12-days ago but wants the Randwick Mile big time.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2,4,12

Race 6: 1,2,4,6

Race 7: 3,4,10,11

Race 8: 20

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Robbie Dolan can cap off a huge year with a win in the ATC Summer Cup (2400m) aboard ATC Cup winner Bonny Ezra.

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 5 No.11: TRIPLES

Well-bred grey like most of the best ones in the family; this one has the makings of a decent horse in time.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.13: SAN LUCIDO

I Am Invincible three-year-old who ran some first rate races at his opening campaign and has trialled well lately.

BALLINA

BEST BET

Race 3 No.11: ARGONTIL

Looking for the step up in trip today; gets back but finishes with a flurry and this isn’t overly strong.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.11: GOOD GIRL

Doomben placegetter on debut who was a narrow runner-up here over this trip last time out.

INSIDE MAIL: RANDWICK

RACE 1

Skylon has turned in two pretty reasonable performances at either side of the spell to start his career. His most recent offering was a closing fifth of 10 in a 1350m maiden at Wyong. Fair to say that the mile will suit him better and Randwick much better than Wyong. Ditto that for Kingston Charm who by the way, boasts Spirit Of Kingston as her fourth dam. Maritima is a deserved favourite but she has been every bit as costly as she is consistent. Newsletter could be the sharp improver at huge odds.

Bet: Skylon each-way, Kingston Cham to place, quinella 7,13

RACE 2

Pink Baroque is a great granddaughter of Tycoon Lil and gives every impression that she will be at her most effective from 1400m up to a mile once she gets into full swing. The Chis Waller-trained filly is ready to peak third-up on the big track in the right race. The Englishman is a striking gelding bred on the explosive Tavistock/Zabeel cross. He was tipped out after a very good second to Zou Tiger in late August and trialled well the other day. Marelle gave her all first-up. Pharoah Magic is handy.

Bet: Pink Baroque to win, quinella 4,14

RACE 3

West Cork could be one of the better horses to come out of this meeting, that’s if he comes given that he has drawn way out. The background is this: he cost $800,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling sales and he is by I Am Invincible out of a Tapit mare (wow) whose offspring include the SAJC Derby winning filly, Qafila. Les Bridge has another very nice prospect from the Miss Zoe family in Zizette. Her December 13 trial was a ripper. Regarding the barrier, she looks like can get back and finish off. Aurinko is a half to Group 1 winner Delectation and has a future beyond this.

Bet: West Cork to win or if scratched Zizette each-way

RACE 4

Van Giz is in foal to Wild Ruler. The Bjorn Baker-trained six-year-old has raced 30 times for four wins, seven seconds which makes her 50 per cent in the placings, an impressive return by any standards. As for her first-up run, it was in a much better race than this and she ran some big splits. Feel The Knight has some good numbers. He has been to Randwick seven times for a win and three placings and all of his best form has been at this trip. Drawn well and more or less, pitched-in, after the 2kg claim. Zain’s Girl has a big finish so maybe the wide alley is no big deal.

Bet: Van Giz to win

RACE 5

Hellavadancer is a well-bred filly; she is a half to Minsk Moment, her fifth dam was one of TJ Smith’s countless crack two-year-olds namely Quiet Little Drink. As for Hellavadancer, she has done some good things in her six starts. She is an Eagle Farm winner last prep and was very good indeed when third at Warwick Farm first-up in a leader controlled race. Royal Merchant is entered for the Gosford Guineas on December 28 so is not a guaranteed starter on Boxing Day at Randwick. The daughter of Merchant Navy has won her two starts this preparation.

Bet: Hellavadancer to win, box trifecta 2,4,10,12

Sky Lab is the Summer Cup favourite. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Sky Lab has 21 starts on his CV and just look at some of the races he has contested – Rosehill Guineas, ATC Derby, Epsom, Doncaster and this campaign he ran in The Hunter and The Gong. You know he was favourite for the race in first markets, the last time he started favourite was in the Derby. Needs it run fast so he can come late. Lion’s Roar hit his best stride last start when almost causing a huge upset in the The Ingham. Bonny Ezra is a huge chance. Berdibek is going better than the two zeros next to his name.

Bet: Sky Lab to win

RACE 7

Kirkeby has finished on the podium at exactly half of his 20 starts, something that deserves praise no doubt but the fact that he has only won twice is a bit of a worry of course. That said, his trainer and part-owner Chris Waller presents him with a genuine opportunity to kick-off the new campaign with a win. Two trials and 1500m is the Goldilocks trip for the horse at this point in time – not too short, not too far but just right. Stablemate Estreet is a first-up winner over 1500m. That’s the precedent for this Nickelback has a winning draw.

Bet: Kirkeby to win, quinella 3,4

RACE 8

Beer Palace was one of the first horses backed when the TAB put the fixed odds market up and it’s easy to see why. The Mark Newnham-trained son of Vanburgh is totally untapped, lightly-raced, and trialling like he is ready and able to win. Arranmore looked very disinterested last start at Canterbury but her best would be good enough to play a role on Boxing Day. Carartie was barnstorming in victory at Kembla first-up.

Bet: Beer Palace to win