Randwick-Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday August 14, 2024

A Matthew Smith-trained gelding that’s been a model of consistency across all track conditions can kick off his latest campaign on a winning note on the Kensington on Wednesday.

Headwall can resume on a winning note on the Kensington.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Adam Sherry analyses the seven-race card on the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday, providing his best bets, value, exotic and quaddie selections.

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RANDWICK-KENSINGTON TIPS

BEST BET
Race 4 No.1 HEADWALL
The Matthew Smith-trained has never missed a place and scored two of his three wins over the 1000m. Gets in well with the 3kg claim.

Favourite Headwall wins really nicely!

Blake Spriggs in the saddle for @mcsmithracing. pic.twitter.com/PIXHMqGfjq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2023

NEXT BEST
Race 5 No.8 THE REPLICANT
Knocking on the door after placing second at four of his last five starts including two of three this campaign. Just beaten by Hide Your Heart at Warwick Farm last time out.

Hide Your Heart gets a split and proves too strong late! 💪@ndoyleracingpic.twitter.com/0iYbn1lh3v

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 31, 2024

VALUE BET
Race 6 No.4 START LINE
Was good through the line two starts back then came from last off a slow tempo for a close second to Sweet Proposal last time out. Extra trip suits.

BEST EXOTIC
Race 3: Quinella 4, 8

QUADDIE
Race 4: 1, 2, 4
Race 5: 2, 8, 9
Race 6: 1, 2, 4
Race 7: 13, 6

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Nash Rawiller has five rides and all are among the leading chances.

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RANDWICK-KENSINGTON INSIDE MAIL

Race 1: 3yo Colts and Geldings Maiden Handicap (1150m)
THEBLADE (7) is a debutant by Toronado from a half-sister to Black Caviar. Wasn’t let go when placed in his first two trials then led and kept under a hold to win his Rosehill trial on July 23. ALPINE SKI (3) was nosed out by Fortingall on debut at Kembla then raced keenly early when fourth to Iron Hawk at Warwick Farm. Drawn the pole will be prominent again. JOHNNY THE KID (1) will take improvement from his first-up third behind Visual at Hawkesbury on Aug 1.
Bet: Theblade to win.

Race 2: 3yo Fillies Maiden Handicap (1150m)
AUTUMN GLOW (3), a half-sister to In The Congo by The Autumn Sun, is on debut. She was a trial winner at Rosehill in March. Was an easy fourth in her July 23 heat at Rosehill before closing nicely to win her Aug 6 trial. HAVASU FALLS (6) is a first starter by Lonhro from a half-sister to Fiorente. Spelled after a handy fourth in the Warwick Farm trial on Mar 26. Let down nicely from back in the field to win her Hawkesbury heat on a Heavy 10 on July 8. DIDDLE DUMPLING (1) was just behind the placegetters in the Sweet Embrace and Percy Sykes last campaign.
Bet: Autumn Glow to win, Havasu Falls each-way.

Race 3: 3yo+ Colts, Horses and Geldings Benchmark 72 (1300m)
YORKSHIRE (8) led all-the-way for a dominant win from Zousain Bolt on a heavy at Hawkesbury on debut on July 11 before jumping straight to Saturday company 16 days in a Bm72 and finishing third behind Invader Zim. While beaten nearly two lengths, he was checked near the 100m. Imported gelding TRUE TO FORM (4) kicked off his Australian career with a narrow win from Tenderize at Kembla after racing outside the leader over 1300m. KADALL (3) worked home for third to In Flight first-up at Randwick on July 13 before a fifth to Invader Zim.
Bet: Yorkshire to win. Exacta 8 / 4.

Race 4: 5yo+ Benchmark 72 (1000m)
HEADWALL (1) has been in the money in all seven starts including a win and two placings first-up. Kicked off last campaign with a second to Distillate here on Feb 15 and placed third to Airman here two starts later either side of a nice win. CHIEF CONDUCTOR (2) was runner-up behind Pokerjack at Canterbury giving away 4kg before a sixth to Fleetwood at Randwick when on the wrong part of the track on the day the outside fence was superior. Drops in grade. GLOBAL EMPIRE (4) scored a handy win at Wyong first-up before a fourth to Norton Road.
Bet: Headwall to win. Quinella/Trifecta 1 / 2, 4, 6.

Race 5: Benchmark 72 (1550m)
THE REPLICANT (8) has been racing well this campaign including a second to Kerguelen at Warwick Farm and a close second to Hide Your Heart there last time out. Placed two of his three starts at this track and distance. SERENE NIC (9) was rewarded for a solid campaign with a smart win from California Sunrise and Let Me Reign over 1600m at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Unplaced in both runs here but is a winner at her only try at the trip. ARISTONOUS (2) resumes without a trial. Won over 1600m first-up in Australia at Newcastle and was third at Randwick over 1600m to kick off his next campaign.
Bet: The Replicant to win.

Race 6: Benchmark 64 (1800m)
START LINE (4) was doing his best work in the last 100m behind Amicus Curiae over 1400m at Newcastle a month later. Came from last off a slow speed for a close second to Sweet Proposal over 1600m at Hawkesbury last start. Looks suited stepping up to 1800m. INFLUENTIAL (1) will take improvement from his first-up second behind Sailor at Warwick Farm on July 31. Followed a smart maiden win with two runs in stakes grade last campaign. LUCONI (8) was a big winner on debut at Scone on July 12. Unlucky not to be undefeated when narrowly beaten by La Belle Claire at Kembla 15 days later after racing wide without cover.
Bet: Start Line each-way.

Race 7: 3yo+ Fillies and Mares Benchmark 72 (1300m)
LONRIOLI (6) closed nicely from well back to finish just under two lengths behind Metallic Ruler when resuming over 1200m at Newcastle on June 29. Settled just behind the speed when a close third to Lady Extreme over 1250m with 61.5kg at Canterbury on July 24. Drops to 58kg, up to 1300m and drawn gate 3. Ready to peak. SELFLESS ACT (1) should have finished closer than four lengths of I Am Famous after being held up for clear running for most of the straight at Rosehill last start. Drops back in grade. EQUIPAGE (3) is coming off a good win at Wyong when caught wide throughout.
Bet: Lonrioli to win.

Originally published as Randwick-Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday August 14, 2024