Trainer Kris Lees feels Razeta and Wolverine will make their presence felt in Surround Stakes
They may be the two outsiders of the Group 1 Surround Stakes but trainer Kris Lees believes has two fillies can perform better than market expectations.
Horse Racing
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Trainer Kris Lees might have the two rank outsiders of the race but he maintains Razeta and Wolverine are not there to make up the numbers in the Group 1 $600,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Razeta is rated at $41 and Wolverine is a $81 chance for the fillies classic where Godolphin’s In Secret is the $2.15 favourite.
The Lees-trained fillies both ran the Light Fingers Stakes two weeks ago with Razeta finishing ninth and Wolverine 11th behind the brilliant In Secret.
“Razeta was a bit of a hidden run last start,” Lees said. “She made good ground late and hit the line well.
“Wolverine was never on the track first-up so you can put a line through that. She was really good second-up last preparation when she ran third in the Tea Rose Stakes.
“She will have to go back from the gate (barrier 10) but she is certainly capable of running a competitive race.
“But we realise they are both up against it as this is a really good bunch of fillies.”
Lees was more enthusiastic about the chances of Almania in the Fitzgerald Jenkins Recruitment Handicap (2000m) and Never Talk in the Dynamic Syndications Handicap (1200m).
“Almania has come back in really good order after a long break,” he said.
“The little gap between runs is ideal and this seems a good race for him. There is no easy races at this time of year but I’m confident he will run well.
“Never Talk is certainly ready to go. She’s had a couple of trials, looks well and worked nicely on Tuesday.
“She is a backmarker and relies on a few favours including track conditions to go her way but it looks like she will get those so we expect a good run from her.”
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Royal Randwick for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1000m: 4,5,6,1
1200m: 6,7,5,4
1300m: 1,7,2,5
1400m: 2,1,7,3
1600m: 3,4,2,1
2000m: 2,1,5,6
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Dalaalaat $4.40-$3.70, Flower Press $19-$13
Race 2: Mogo Magic $2.25-$1.80 with bets of $1,400 at $2.25, $1,600 at $2.20, $1,000 at $2.20, $3,600 at $2, $2,000 at $2 twice, $1,600 at $2, $1,440 at $2, $1,100 at $2, $1,000 at $2 twice, $2,000 at $1.95 twice
Race 3: Disneck $9.50-$10-$9.50-$10 including a $1,500 bet at $10, Shinzo $3.20-$2.70-$2.80-$2.90 with a bet of $1,364 at $3.20
Race 4: Almania $9-$6, Glory Daze $5-$2.70-$2.90 after bets of $500 e/w at $5/$2, $500 e/w at $4.20/$1.80, $825 at $3.40, $2,200 at $2.90, $1,500 at $2.90, $1,000 at $2.90
Race 5: No big bets or market movements of note
Race 6: Skirt The Law $3-$2.60-$2.70-$2.50 with bets of $1,000 at $3, $1,175 at $2.70, $800 at $2.70, $1,249 at $2.60, $2,000 at $2.50
Race 7: In Secret $2.10-$2.10-$2.15 after bets of $1,430 at $2.40, $1,000 at $2.40, $714 at $2.40, $2,100 at $2.20, $1,739 at $2.15, Zougotcha $5.50-$6.50-$5 with a $10,000 bet at $6.50, North Star Lass $34-$16-$18
Race 8: Anamoe $1.65-$1.70 with bets of $2,000 at $1.70 multiple times, $1,000 at $1.70 multiple times, $800 at $1.70, $500 at $1.70 multiple times, $500 at $1.65, Mo’unga $13-$8-$8.50
Race 9: Profondo $9-$9.50-$6.50 with bets of $230/$370 e/w at $9.50/$2.80, $300/$200 e/w at $8/$2.40, $3,000 at $6.50, $1,500 e/w at $6.50/$2.10, Bandersnatch $18-$11, Think About It $5-$3.40-$3.50
Race 10: No big bets or market movements of note
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 3,6,8
Race 4: 7,8,13,16
Race 5: 1,2,3,4
Race 6: 1,2,4,5
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,3,5
Race 8: 1,11
Race 9: 1,3,5,10
Race 10: 2,7,8,16
PRICE CHECK
There has been support for both outstanding fillies In Secret and Zougotcha for their showdown in the Surround Stakes (race 7). In Secret is a firm favourite $2.10-$2.10-$2.15 after bets of $1,430 at $2.40, $1,000 at $2.40, $714 at $2.40, $2,100 at $2.20, $1,739 at $2.15 while Zougotcha $5.50-$6.50-$5 with a $10,000 bet at $6.50,
TRIAL POINTERS
Mayrose (race 1) is a John Sargent-trained chestnut great granddaughter of the 1986 Gimcrack Stakes winner Mother Duck. Mayrose’s own pattern of racing couldn’t be more contrasting to Paul Sutherland and Malcolm Johnston’s speed machine but few if any of her rivals in the Midway are as barnstorming late as she is. Mayrose has won three races, including the Midway at this very same meeting last year. Trialled twice in readiness for this year’s Midway and impressed each time.
Mogo Magic (race 2) must surely rank as one of the outright fastest horses racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The son of Duporth ran 45.99s seconds winning an 800m trial at Goulburn prior to his near seven-lengths debut win at the Sapphire Coast on November 3. Then 18 days later, the Scott Collings-trained gelding won at Wagga by three and a half lengths when he was never headed and in fact, was never challenged. Mogo Magic has won trials on January 4 and February 5 respectively with a combined margin of 11 lengths.
SECTIONAL STARS
Tavs (race 3) is a son of Triple Crown winner Dundeel but has a pedigree laced with sheer speed. A quick glance at some of his “broodmare sires” says it all; names like Beneteau, Crown Jester, Biscay, etc. As for Tavs, he was kept safe in the market ($10/11/$10) when he made his debut in a 1000m maiden at Canberra with Robbie Dolan in the saddle. Tavs drew 10 of 10 and was second last at the 400m yet let rip with a powerful surge, winning in 57.85s, the last 600m in 33.54s. Drawn wide again in the Skyline but horse and rider have done it before.
Night Of Power (race 4) was having his fifth run of his current campaign when he went to Canterbury for a 1550m Evening Star on February 17. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding looked to be building up to a win but the timing was off and Baker’s Irish-bred import ran out of time to reel in the winner and the runner-up. Randwick and 2000m should play right into the gelding’s hands given he has won right up to 2414m as you would expect from a close descendant of the great User Friendly.
BEST BET
Shinzo (race 3) ran promisingly on debut when third to Red Resistance and King’s Gambit in the Canonbury Stakes. The Chris Waller-trained Shinzo, a well-bred colt by Snitzel and Samaready, will be improved by the run and the Randwick 1200m should suit. Drawn to get the right run and looks the winner.
VALUE BET
Tazaral (race 4) is an imported galloper who has shaped well in both starts for the Snowden stable. He worked home well to finish third over the Randwick mile course last start and the step up to 2000m is what he needs. Tazaral has a lightweight, can settle on speed and will be hard to run down. He’s great value at $13.
THE JUDGMENT
ROYAL RANDWICK
R7: Surround Stakes (1400m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “If they couldn’t beat her first up, I can’t see them beating her here, and I’m talking about the outstanding In Secret. She’s drawn to get the perfect run, and even the rain around Sydney and the possibility of a soft track won’t worry her. She’s just so classy and is the filly to beat. I think Ruthless Dame is a wildcard into the mix, she has form around top colt Jacquinot and I suspect that measures up to these fillies. Zougotcha is top class in her own right, this is a Group 1 and Chris Waller will have her ready to fire. Her stablemate Madame Pommery is real dangerous now as she gets out to 1400m, Cinderella Days seems huge odds, she may be able to control the speed again.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I think the gap between In Secret and Zougotcha is too big at present ($2.15/$5) and is only so because the latter comes into this first up off a slight setback (elevated temperature) forcing her to miss the Light Fingers. On the plus side she’d had two trials, is undefeated first up and is already a winner at 1400m and 1600m. Have to prefer her.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Hard to go past the favourite here In Secret who has won five from seven including an excellent last start victory in the Light Finger stakes. She will only be improved for that run and the step up to 1400m looks ideal. Hugh Bowman is back and takes the ride and she should be winning. Zougotcha looks the biggest danger but it will be a big effort first up from barrier 11.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Super return from In Secret ($2.15), so no knock on her but we are willing to risk her slightly. Comfortably best backed accounting for 70 per cent of the hold. Madame Pommery ($17) looks huge odds here off a very good run first up. She goes in everything. And I’m wary of Razeta at a massive price ($41). Wouldn’t be surprised to see her improve dramatically at 1400m and will make her a result.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “In Secret is definitely the one to beat but Zougotcha has had plenty of early support. Don’t discount Madame Pommery at the price.”
Verdict: In Secret
R8: Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “The champ Anamoe should be taking care of business again. He’s gets all the favours from a soft draw, the only possible drama would be if James McDonald can’t obtain a clear run when he needs it. He has some quality opposition again, the mares Fangirl and Hinged are very good and will certainly make a race of it. Mo’unga is going to be a fitter conveyance this time around. I love the way Benaud hit the line in his recent trial and he’ll start at huge odds.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Anamoe knows how to win with his only career failure coming in the Queen Elizabeth on a bog. Resumed against seven of these in the Apollo Stakes which he won well and is drawn to get exactly the same run in transit here. Just don’t think the others can improve enough to beat him considering he has to have improvement as well. Big watches on Benaud and Huetor for the future.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “The Cox Plate winner Anamoe was too good for them first up and I think he will improve further here second up over 1600m. James McDonald rides and I can’t see any of them getting past him. He has drawn perfectly in barrier 3 and I expect him to be winning. There has been some sharp money for Mo’unga but I think they are racing for second.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Anamoe dominates betting once again with over 80 per cent of investment on the race. Has eased slightly despite this, $1.65-$1.70. All favours again but will be happy to put him in. Fangirl was super in the Apollo hitting the line in best of the day sectionals. If she can use the gate to her advantage and gets a dry track, she can win.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Nearly 80 per cent of the money sits with Anamoe. Has a brilliant record at the track, handles all going and has beaten many of these in the past.”
Verdict: Anamoe
SANDOWN
R7: Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “I might be a bit parochial when it comes to Sydney form, but what better way for Steel City to shake the maiden tag than in a Group 1. Drawn perfectly, this Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly has run second to arguably to two best two-year-olds we’ve seen this season in Red Resistance and Learning To Fly. If she can hold that form, she wins the race for mine. Barber has been a professional youngster from the outset but he’s drawn a slightly sticky barrier. Don Corleone could easily bounce back, he gets a good run in the race and how often do we see the Snowdens switch states with these horses for immediate results. The Instructor hasn’t done much wrong, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott you know he’ll be fit and hard to get past.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “First real test of all the different formlines coming together along with the runners stretching to 1200m for the first time. I can’t fault what Barber has done in two states and yet to taste defeat. Slight query on his fitness first up so surely must have gone ahead since that. He has done it from both ends of the field so also has that versatility in his armour.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Steel City has run second at both her career starts including behind a smart one in Learning To Fly. She will be rock hard fit now and has drawn great in barrier 5. I’m expecting her to get a soft run and prove hard to beat. The punters are thinking the same way backing her in from $5 earlier in the week. There has been good each way money for the James Cummings trained Exploring who has won two of her first three starts.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Steel City was the first horse they came for on Tuesday and has been a good firm $5.50-$4.20. Brings the stronger Sydney form and does look hard to beat. Have to respect the starting price of Brave Halo in the prelude and at $8, he looks the logical danger to me and an easy bet to have.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Barber has done nothing wrong to date and he’s my on top pick. Steel City has been good without winning while The Instructor should be in front for a long way.”
Verdict: Steel City
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