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Racewatch: Randwick horse racing tips, analysis for Saturday, July 13, 2024

An Annabel Neasham-trained import who was an impressive runner-up in his Australian debut can go one better at Randwick on Saturday. Get Shayne O’Cass’ tips and analysis for the 10-race card.

Shayne O’Cass
4 min read
July 11, 2024 - 10:19AM
Annabel Neasham-trained import Don Diego De Vega was an impressive second behind Bear On The Loose in his Australian debut and can go one better at Randwick on Saturday.
Annabel Neasham-trained import Don Diego De Vega was an impressive second behind Bear On The Loose in his Australian debut and can go one better at Randwick on Saturday.

An Annabel Neasham-trained import who was an impressive runner-up in his Australian debut can go one better at Randwick on Saturday.

Get Shayne O’Cass’ tips and analysis for the 10-race card.

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Race 1: 2yo Handicap (1400m)
BARTOLF (2) got the new training partnership of O’Shea and Charlton off to the right start with a predictable yet hugely impressive debut win at Scone on July 2. He is a magnificent looker by So You Think out of Redoute’s Choice mare so the only way is up. How is SACRED FORT (7) still a maiden? The answer is that he has been unlucky at times and/or given away too great a head start. Talent is there though. VERONA’S CLEOPATRA (9) is a Dundeel granddaughter of Our Egyptaine Raine who led throughout to beat an unlucky Sacred Fort at Hawkesbury.
Bet: Bartolf to win, quinella 2,7.

Race 2: 3yo Benchmark 72 (1100m)
DETENDU (5) was the second top-priced yearling at the 2022 HTBA Yearling Sale ($120,000) and has won back $100,000 in five starts thanks to his talent and some precision placement from David Pfieffer. He has some good form around him and he bolted in on a Heavy 8 at Warwick Farm last time. KADALL (3) is most likely the best horse in the race and the trials were fantastic. The great unknown is the wet track and that he is resuming. BALLET D’ESPRIT (7) is 2 from 2 on Soft and won a high calibre Kembla Class 1 last run.
Bet: Detendu to win, quinella 3,5.

Race 3: Highway Handicap (Class 3, 1600m)
MAGIC PHAROAH (10) has contested two Randwick Miles in the past – he won one and was third in the other one, both Highways of course. He returns to the city in a very, very confident mindset and clearly in good physical order judged on his easy win at Tamworth. Need it no worse than a Soft 6 or at worst a Heavy 7, IMHO. FINAL COMMENT (5) was the hardluck story in the Highway two weeks ago when taken out by his stablemate Toes In The Water. RAJNISH (3) has the draw to race in a handy and favourable spot.
Bet: Magic Pharoah to win, Final Comment each-way.

Race 4: 3yo+ Midway Benchmark 72 (1600m)
CHARMING LEGEND (9) was a $550,000 Classic Yearling purchase in 2022. The Les Bridge-trained/Bon Ho-owned son of Deep Field was $11 into $9.50 when he won his Super Maiden on debut on the Kensington track. Not saying he is Classique Legend or anything but he is untapped by any measure. RAPT (14) won like the absolute good thing she was up at Scone on July 2. She couldn’t be in any better shape for a Saturday-metro mission. DR EVIL (2) is the old hardhead in this race.
Bet: Charming Legend to win.

Race 5: 3&4yo Benchmark 78 (1800m)
DON DIEGO DE VEGA (2) was $7 into $6 at his Australian debut at Rosehill two weeks ago and proved that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. He didn’t win but he was whittling away that margin to Bear On The Loose all the way up the straight. Have to acknowledge the fact that I thought FORTUNE (3) would just win at Rosehill first-up but it turned out he was the first horse beaten. Lots of reasons not to sack him on that one. I’MINTOWIN (1) will probably lead, no pressure, and he could hang on for a place maybe.
Bet: Don Diego de Vega to win.

Race 6: 3yo+ Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 (1400m)
CAPTAIN AMELIA (10)’s two wins are a Kensington Maiden and a Gosford 64 but she has run really well in some deep races. Cases in point being her two respective fifths in the Flight Stakes and the Kembla Grange Classic. The problem with her is that she gives away starts that Bernborough would have been hard pressed to overcome. Got the right man on again anyway. CROSS THE RUBICON (12) is a risky bet, not because she isn’t easily good enough to win Saturday races, it is her propensity to miss the start that makes it harder than it might be.
Bet: Captain Amelia to win.

Race 7: Benchmark 78 (1600m)
For anyone who remembers, I was touting KING OF FLORIDA (7) as a Gong winner among other things when talking up his chances at his Australian debut. I still say he is, despite finishing 10th of 12, beaten eight lengths that day. Can I put it in the mildest terms by saying ‘tough run’. Galileo gelding OUR ANCHORAGE (6) ran way above his $61 SP at Rosehill last start. It is a while ago now, yes, but he does have some black-type form in England and Ireland. SPACE AGE (3) landed some good bets $12 into $9 when he won so, so easily at Warwick Farm.
Bet: King Of Florida to win.

Race 8: Benchmark 88 (1400m)
LORD OF BISCAY (13) is an Irish-bred, English-raced Australian Bloodstock import ready to make his down under debut this weekend. The Kris Lees-trained son of Lope De Vega won over 1600 and 1700m overseas so 1400m, fresh, on a big track off two nice trials and no weight augurs well; the draw might be what beats him. I’ll have a ‘fiver’ on LADY OF LUXURY (9) running the fastest last 400m or 200m or both in this race and maybe even the whole day! How can you leave out TESTATOR SILENS (5)?
Bet: Lord of Biscay each-way.

Race 9: Benchmark 88 (1800m)
ARAMCO (11) was impossible to miss at his Chris Waller/NSW debut start at Rosehill on June 29. He was a bit of an unknown on the Heavy going given all bar one of his previous eight starts down in Melbourne were on Good. We can now apparently be assured that the son of German Derby winner Sea The Moons ‘goes on anything’. As long as UNANIMOUS (13) isn’t needing 2000m now instead of 1800m again on Saturday, he is on the podium IMHO. DEFICIT (12) will improve if that track improves.
Bet: Aramco to win, quinella 11,13.

Race 10: Benchmark 78 (1000m)
How wet is too for ALICIA ROMA (4)? We might get into a rating that will at least not out-right harm her prospects – and maybe I am making her out to be a duffer when maybe she isn’t – but all her best form is on Good tracks. Someone might whisper in her ear that she is by Your Song. PLUNDERING (2) has finished with a medal at 12 of his 18 starts. Granted only three are wins – he has been costly – but he has won fresh, on Heavy and is placed at each and all four runs at Randwick.
Bet: Alicia Roma to win.

Originally published as Racewatch: Randwick horse racing tips, analysis for Saturday, July 13, 2024

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/tips/racewatch-randwick-horse-racing-tips-analysis-for-saturday-july-13-2024/news-story/e4f0d652b19b42600db1c8537ac3d85f