Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Randwick-Kensington

Having placed runner-up at her past three starts, the Joe Pride-trained Principessa can break through for a well-earned win on the Kensington track on Wednesday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Principessa can break through for a well-earned win at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Randwick-Kensignton.

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KENSINGTON

BEST BET

Race 5 No. 8: PRINCIPESSA

Principessa doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Extremely consistent mare with a powerful finishing burst and with even luck in running she gets her chance to score a deserved win.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 4: OZ LEGEND

Oz Legend was unlucky last start at Rosehill in Saturday grade when he was held up for a run for most of the straight. This is easier and ready to win.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 5: TIME TO BOOGIE

Time To Boogie won first-up last campaign recording 56.18s for 1000m at Kembla then went even faster only to be beaten narrowly over the same course and trip. Resuming off two good trial efforts and is at value odds.

QUADDIE

Race 3: 2, 3, 5, 6

Race 4: 2, 4, 8

Race 5: 3, 8, 10

Race 6: 2, 5, 9

Nash Rawiller looks a great chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Champion jockey Nash Rawiller has a good book of rides including Ravisher (race 2), Oz Legend (race 4) and Hi Dubai (race 6).

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable can continue their winning momentum with Man Of Valor and Mission Ride (race 1), Atoine (race 2) and Eagle Nest (race 6).

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR KENSINGTON

RACE 1

This is a tough start to the day but I’m leaning to the two-year-old Crusader Razor to make a winning debut. He’s a well-bred colt by champion sire Lonhro out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Runes and is closely related to Godolphin superstar and Horse of the Year-elect Anamoe. Crusader Razor has only made one appearance at the barrier trials where he was closed off strongly to finish fourth without being fully tested. There looked to be plenty under the “hood” and he should run well. Kapunda raced on speed and held on for third when resuming at Kembla and will be improved by that run. Mission Ridge was unplaced in his two starts back in March but he has looked very sharp in two recent Rosehill trials. Man Of Valor was placed twice at Hawkesbury when last in work and has strong claims in an open race.

Bet: Box trifecta 2, 4, 5, 7

RACE 2

Atoine hasn’t raced for 14 months but was runner-up at Canterbury at her second start and was given her chance in the Magic Night Stakes but finished down the track behind dual Group 1 winner She’s Extreme. She then ran at the Hawkesbury stand-alone last year and Godolphin’s outstanding filly In Secret. Atoine is finally ready to make her return to the races and has been readied with two very impressive Rosehill trial wins in recent weeks. Ravisher is bred to be good by champion sire I Am Invincible out of the celebrated broodmare Beauty World, the dam of five stakes winners including Written Beauty and Hi World. She’s had a solid preparation for her debut with three trials and looks to have her share of ability. Speymalt was given a little more rein to reel in Ravisher in a Rosehill trial last week and rates among the main chances. Lara’s Laulet is resuming but her two recent trial wins have been impressive.

Bet: Atoine to win, saver on Ravisher

Tim Clark will ride Atoine when she resumes on Wednesday. Getty Images)

RACE 3

Demitasse is building a good record with four wins from eight starts including his fast-finishing effort to win a Highway at Randwick last start. The three-year-old unleashed a powerful burst of acceleration to reel in Sungblue and win comfortably. Demitasse is racing in top form and will go close again. Strombus is the main threat. He was impressive running down King Of The Castle over the Kensington 1400m trip on Anzac Day and the runner-up has won twice since. Strombus then ran only fifth to Semana over the same course and distance and has been freshened since. He was given an easy trial at Randwick leading into this race. Vintage Choice had his chance second-up at Warwick Farm when an even fourth to In De Summertime. The former English galloper has been improved by recent racing and will be competitive. Victory Lane had no luck at Rosehill last start and is well placed here.

Bet: Demitasse to win, saver on Victory Lane who is over the odds.

RACE 4

Oz Legend was held up behind the leaders from the top of the straight and was never really tested when a luckless seventh to Outlandos at Rosehill. He was having his first start for nearly two months and will be improved. Drops back to midweek grade here, drawn to get the soft run and should go close. California Grass is in her debut race preparation and once she stepped up to a staying trip she has found form, winning her maiden easily at Newcastle over 2300m then romping home more than four lengths clear of her rivals at Wyong over 2100m. The step up to 2400m won’t bother this emerging filly. Sky Out was beaten out of a place as favourite at Ballarat but the imported stayer is in the right stable and is one of the main chances. Whangaehu is a winner over the Kensington 2400m when last in work and has been improved by recent racing.

Bet: Oz Legend to win, watch betting moves for Sky Out

Oz Legend had no luck last start and can give this race a shake. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 5

Principessa is bursting to win a race. She has been runner-up in all three runs this campaign, running on from back in the field with fast-finishing efforts. Although Principessa has only won once in 15 starts, she is extremely consistent with 12 minor placings on her record. She settles back in the field and needs race tempo and luck in running but this is her chance. Allasandra has struck a rich vein of form with dominant wins at the provincials albeit in easier grade. After the claim, she gets in with only 52kg and looks hard to beat again. Mystic Mermaid usually sprints well fresh and is one to watch. Elettrica didn’t get a lot of room in the straight when sixth to Rinagrosa at Warwick Farm. Fitter for two runs from a spell, Elettrica is ready to improve.

Bet: Principessa to win

RACE 6

Time To Boogie showed promise last summer winning his maiden first-up at Kembla Grange over 1000m in very fast time then pushing boom filly Dancing Alone when beaten less than a length at the same course and distance where the winner ran a stunning 55.86s. Time To Boogie has impressed in two recent trials and although drawn wide, he has the natural speed to negate that barrier and proved hard to catch. Hi Dubai won very easily on debut at Canterbury then was well backed but struggled in the Gosford Guineas. She’s a smart filly resuming after two solid trials behind talented stablemate Kibou. Hi Dubai has drawn advantageously inside Time To Boogie. Eagle Nest loomed up to win only to be collared late by Waikiki at Warwick Farm and will be in this race for a long way. Secret Revolution is very fit and improving with racing.

Bet: Time To Boogie to win, box trifecta 1, 2, 5, 9

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Randwick-Kensington