The judgment: A panel of experts give their views on the big races at Randwick on Saturday

GET a leg up from the people in the know about the main chances in the big races at Randwick on Saturday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Hugh Bowman ( Red Cap ) rides Hallowed Crown to win race 6, The Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes during Sydney racing at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Anthony Johnson/Getty Images)

GET a leg up from the people in the know about the main chances in the big races at Randwick on Saturday.

RACE 6: RANDWICK GUINEAS (1600m)

Peter Snowden (trainer) Shooting To Win: “This is a vintage year, there are some really nice colts going around. Shooting To Win is a horse that comes on with racing and it will be similar this time. But we gave him more foundation this time through so he can peak fitness a bit quicker.’’

John O’Shea (trainer) Sweynesse: “ He is going to be better at the mile and then again at 2000m, and with a bit of cut in ground. I think if you are going to look at one being better than the others, it has to be Hallowed Crown — he has won five from six.”

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “A small, but select field. Shooting To Win gets my nod as he may be able to control race from the front. His run peaked about 50m from home in the Hobartville and only went down in a blanket finish. Stretched to this distance last time in for a win in the Caulfield Guineas. Sweynesse looks his danger as he was very strong late in the Hobartville and will appreciate the extra 200m today. No knock on Hallowed Crown but he seemed to have more favours in the Hobartville and the other two can finish in front of him.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Bit of a weird feel to this with the three main chances only second-up into the Randwick mile for a Group I race. We have Sweynesse the highest rating 3yo and he has the best sprint in the race. It does look like developing into just a 600m or so sprint home so he gets the nod over Shooting To Win.’’

Blake Johnston (bookie): “Shooting To Win will strip fitter for his first up effort where he peaked on his run after two soft trials. He’ll get his own way on the speed and prove very hard to get past in the straight.’’

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Short on numbers huge in class. Hallowed Crown has only been beaten once and was brilliant last start. But I’m with Godolphin and Sweynesse, while Sworn To Silence is one for the multiples at odds.’’

Verdict: Shooting To Win

RACE 7: CANTERBURY STAKES (1300m)

Chris Waller (trainer) Sacred Falls, Royal Descent, Catkins: “Catkins has won almost half of her starts, she tries her guts out every time for you. She is a Group 1 winner in my eyes, as was Red Tracer at a similar stage and she ended up winning a couple. It’s an afterthought race but it’s the right race. I would expect Sacred Fallsto be hitting the line strongly and he’s on track for the Doncaster. As for Royal Descent, she is very good and on my scale she is right up there with some of the very best horses I’ve trained.”

John Thompson (trainer) Hooked: “He is coming along very well. I don’t know if 1300m first-up is his go but he is going super, looks fantastic. He took some big steps in the spring and I think he is in for a great preparation.’’

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “The ‘girls’ dominate the betting here with Catkins slight favourite over Cosmic Endeavour. I have to go with the latter on the quick back-up as she should be ready to peak at her third run back. She looked burly first up here with a big weight before being run down late by Danesiri last Saturday. Beautifully drawn to track Tiger Tees and outgun him late. The Tiger has to be respected because of his great record fresh having won five from nine attempts. A late entry for this race so Joe Pride must fancy his chances. Leebaz has had support and another that has a good record early in his preparation.’’

Catkins is chasing her maiden Group 1 win in the Canterbury Stakes.

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Looks like two runners capable of good numbers right at their top that should control the race and have too much of an edge on the resumers. Catkins is returning career best numbers in her first two runs back and we are with her from Cosmic Endeavour.’’

Blake Johnston (bookie): “Cosmic Endeavour has been a beaten favourite at both her starts this preparation but she has finished off nicely in both. She beat Catkins in Brisbane and looks set to peak at her third run this time in.

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Tiger Tees should get a soft lead but the 1300m is against him. Catkins deserves a group 1, but I’m captivated by the double digit odds for Leebaz.’’

Verdict: Catkins

RACE 8: CHALLENGE STAKES (1000m)

Noel Mayfield-Smith (trainer) Famous Seamus: “He produced an outstanding gallop and ran his last furlong (a200m) in 9.99s. It was one of the few times that (wife) Emma was left speechless. This horse can run amazing times on the track.’’

Gerald Ryan (trainer) Rubick: “Rubick trialled well and he has come on from that. He is a lot more horse this time and doesn’t want to run as quickly early. He is finishing off his work better now.’’

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “All but a couple resume here with some genuine speedsters engaged. Villa Verde won this race last year and has a great record at the 1000m which is a bonus. Prepared for this with a nice trial three weeks ago. Bonny mare Miracles Of Life resumes from a soft draw as she did last campaign when dead heating at Caulfield. Famous Seamus will find them a bit nippy at 1000m but last campaign was probably one of his better ones. Watch for him very late.’’

Villa Verde won the Challenge Stakes last year. Picture: Simon Bullard

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Villa Verde seems pretty good odds to win this race again with what looks like the ideal outside draw and sitting in what looks to be a great strike zone. Rubick’s favouritism is valid with 1000m and fresh is his go but while 1000m probably isn’t quite his go, Famous Seamus seems big odds as he usually is.’’

Blake Johnston (bookie): “There is a lot of speed engaged and that could set the race up for Famous Seamus who will be charging home. His form around Terravista looks good for a race like this and he’s a proven WFA performer.’’

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Watch them fly. Rubick has already been well found in the market. Villa Verde is the defending champion here and I can see her exploding over the final furlong just like last year.’’

Verdict: Villa Verde

Originally published as The judgment: A panel of experts give their views on the big races at Randwick on Saturday