Randwick races: Brad Davidson’s tips and extended preview

Sky Racing form analyst Brad Davidson previews the big Winx Stakes program at Royal Randwick as Group 1 racing returns to Sydney. FULL RACE-BY-RACE ANALYSIS

Sky Racing form analyst Brad Davidson runs the rule over every race, including suggested bets, for Winx Stakes Day at Royal Randwick.

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ROYAL RANDWICK

Track: Soft7

Rail: True

Weather: Fine

RACE 1:12 PM BENCHMARK 78 (2400M)

OVERVIEW: Even staying race to kick off the day. Kiss The Bride was a strong last start winner but goes 1800m to 2400m here and he was beaten 3.5 lengths at his only run at 2400m last prep. Desert Path got the job done last start but that was a peak this prep and the jockey broke the whip rule that day. Birth Of Venus is building towards something, while California Longbow will be better for the run at 2400m but comes here four weeks between runs.

ADVICE: LEANING TO DESERT PATH.

RACE 2: 12.35PM TAB HIGHWAY (1100M)

OVERVIEW: Keen on the Brett Cavanough pair here in Pinnacle Prince and It’s Me. They both look like progressive horses and could not have been more impressive on debut. Both ran sensational time and look hard to beat here. I thought Denesc could also run well at big odds if she gets a run but this is all about the Cavanough pair and I’m excited to see them in action again here.

ADVICE: BACK BOTH PINNACLE PRINCE AND IT’S ME TO WIN.

RACE 3: 1.10PM BENCHMARK 78 (1600M)

OVERVIEW: Competitive race. I wanted to be against New King at first glance but I just think the likely high pressure again with Mercurial Lad in the race should play into his hands. He was good second up and should improve again. Frosty Rocks is having a really consistent prep but I prefer when he can lead and roll along. I doubt he can do that with Mercurial Lad in the race. Orcein gets through all conditions and is always a hope in a race like this, while This Is So, Adana, Kaapfever, Baanone and Monegal are all capable on their day.

ADVICE: NEW KING ON TOP BUT TOO SHORT IN EARLY BETTING.

RACE 4: 1.45PM SILVER SHADOW STAKES (1200M)

OVERVIEW: Good little race this for the fillies. I like the way See You Soon trialled leading in and she should be able to park up closer from the inside draw here. She was beaten 0.1 lengths by Dame Giselle last prep but drew wide and lost ground at the start there. Dame Giselle is another one who has trialled well and she has some good figures last prep for this. Redoute’s Image has the race fitness over the other two and she comes through two solid rating races of late and should appreciate 1200m the way she finished off last start. Kaakit Akit should lead and is the other chance if she can reproduce her first up run last campaign.

ADVICE: LEANING TO SEE YOU SOON.

Roheryn’s recent tickover trial was super and he should be strong late.

RACE 5: 2.25PM SHOW COUNTY (1200M)

OVERVIEW: Terrific edition of the Show County. Special Reward is a beauty and he should get a pretty soft lead here and prove hard to run down. He consistently produces figures good enough to win this. Funstar could find the 1200m a little sharp but she oozes class this mare and that might get her home here. Roheryn is airborne and the step back up to 1200m suits. His recent tickover trial was super and he should be strong late. Wild Planet should also be closing off strongly fresh. He had no luck first up last prep and almost beat Classique Legend at this track and distance first up the prep prior.

ADVICE: LEANING TO SPECIAL REWARD AT THE BETTER ODDS.

RACE 6: 3.05PM TOY SHOW (1100M)

OVERVIEW: Hard to go past Adelong here and she took all before her last prep. Her recent trial was super and she can take the next step here. If there is one query, it’s that first-up last prep was her worst run of the campaign although she was on the wrong part of the track that day at Canterbury and comes here off more of a freshen then a spell. Sweet Deal was dynamic first up last prep and she looks the obvious danger here despite the big weight. Invictus Salute is a knockout hope at odds, while Witherspoon (prefers 1000m) and Seasons are place hopes along with River Bird and Yamazaki (the drier the better for her).

ADVICE: ADELONG TO WIN.

The Bostonian has been supported early in betting.

RACE 7: 3.45PM WINX STAKES (1600M)

OVERVIEW: Terrific edition of the Winx Stakes and I’ve got $6.50 the field here. I think there are three main hopes in Master Of Wine, Dreamforce and The Bostonian. Master Of Wine was dynamic first up last prep and he looks set to take the next step again this prep. The only concern I do have is he has been a touch slow out of the barriers in both trials this time in and may get back a fair way as a result. What you see is what you get with Dreamforce and he is underrated. He rolls forward here and the decision to take the blinkers off first-up last prep backfired but he has the head gear on here. The Bostonian absolutely flies first up and he is the other one with a great chance. I would have preferred 1300m though but he is the map horse. Verry Elleegant next best but she generally saves her best for later in the prep (did trial well though). Fierce Impact has a knockout hope as well.

ADVICE: THREE MAIN HOPES IN MASTER OF WINE, DREAMFORCE AND THE BOSTONIAN IN MY OPINION. I’LL LEAN THE WAY OF THE BOSTONIAN NARROWLY.

Minted is untried at 1400m but breeding says he should appreciate it.

RACE 8: 4.25PM BENCHMARK 88 (1400M)

OVERVIEW: Competitive event this. I love the way Minted has been going of late. He had to go back from the wide draw last start but sprinted well to grab second in a real sit and sprint behind Tailleur. He is untried at 1400m but breeding says he should appreciate it. Kinane has trialled fairly but he probably should have won first-up last prep and went on to win the Frank Packer Plate in style later that prep. He has a bit of X-factor about him. Poetic Charmer is going great guns and there’s no reason he can’t win again here. The drier the track, the better for him but he is just racing so well this prep. Yonkers, Bobby Dee and Nudge also have claims at odds and the latter has been trialling particularly well.

ADVICE: MINTED TO WIN.

RACE 9: 5.05PM BENCHMARK 78 (1200M)

OVERVIEW: Happy to be with Best Stone here and she was very good at Canterbury last start when working early and holding on to score. All her best form is at Canterbury and that is a query but it was really wet at her only run at Randwick and it should be a fair bit drier this week. She should lead and prove hard to catch. Icebath had a really good prep last time in and looks one of the main dangers, while Cristal Breeze, Valdostana and Zakat all have claims as well. Bartley gets in nice and light but he still needs to improve a bit off last prep for mine and that Black Opal Stakes was a weak edition earlier this year.

ADVICE: BEST STONE TO WIN.