Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, March 26, 2025

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Campaldino was very good over a short trip first-up and is well placed to break through stepping up in trip.

Campaldino looks well placed to break through on the Kensington. Picture: Bradley Photos

Form expert Adam Sherry analyses Wednesday’s eight-race card on the Kensington track at Randwick, presenting his best bets, value selection and quaddie picks.

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BEST BET
Race 4 No.6 CAMPALDINO: Nice second when resuming and steps up to his right trip.

NEXT BEST
Race 3 No.6 MONTE VEEBEE: Had handy form around El Castello and Lady Shenandoah last prep. Gets his chance to break through.

VALUE BET
Race 5 No.9 SMILING PROPHET: Has been just behind the placegetters in Midways at his past two starts. Will give a sight at odds.

BEST EXOTIC
Quinella Race 3: 5, 6

QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 6, 9, 11
Race 6: 4, 6, 8
Race 7: 1, 3, 5, 10
Race 8: 4, 6, 8, 9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Tim Clark looks a great chance to ride a winning double.

RACE 1: 2YO Colts & Geldings Handicap (1100m)

GRAND PRAIRIE (2) settled midfield on the rails and flashed home to finish a half-length second to Stormland over 1100m on debut here on Mar 13. Will be better for the experience. MEDNYI (1) raced keenly in both runs back from a spell when third at Newcastle first-up before returning to win second-up. Has since trialled nicely and the crossover noseband goes on. REGULATED AFFAIR (5) is a debutant by Wootton Bassett. Extended nicely when asked to win his Mar 6 Rosehill trial then ran on well for third in his Mar 17 heat.

BET: GRAND PRAIRIE (2) each-way.

RACE 2: 2YO Fillies Handicap (1100m)

SCRUMPTIOUS (2) sat behind the leader and had to be checked on straightening and was held up until passing the 100m when a closing second to Pleasure Queen over 1000m at Kensington on Mar 13. Was sixth on the Gimcrack at her only other run. SPICE PRAWN (6) tracked Scrumptious and was also disappointed for a run after straightening before finishing fourth on debut. ERNAUX (4) is a $3m Easter yearling by I Am Invincible from Group 1 winner Booker. She has trialled very well.

BET: SCRUMPTIOUS (2) to win.

RACE 3: Maiden Plate (1300m)

MONTE VEEBEE (6) was beaten two lengths when seventh to Enriched first-up last prep over 1100m before a nose second to El Castello and a three length seventh to Lady Shenandoah in the Ming Dynasty. Resumes as a gelding. MARAIS (5) has placed in eight of his nine starts including both runs this time in. Nose roll goes on for the first time. MISSION GOLD (2) was a handy second to Be Quiet on debut at Kembla before beating all bar Lyles at the same course on Mar 14.

BET: MONTE VEEBEE (6) to win.

RACE 4: Benchmark 78 (1800m)

CAMPALDINO (6) was overracing and got a check near the 900m before finishing just over a length second to Mawjood when resuming over 1400m here. Step up to 1800m suits. Was a head second over 2200m at Warwick Farm second-up last prep. INQUIRING MINDS (2) returned from a freshen-up with a handy length second to O’Ziggy over 1900m at Canterbury on Feb 28. Will be prominent again. DON PEDRO (3) followed two 1400m wins with a fourth to Wrathful after racing wide over 1550m here last start.

BET: CAMPALDINO (6) to win.

RACE 5: 3YO+ Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 (1150m)

SMILING PROPHET (9) won at Scone before stepping up to Midway grade. Finished fourth to Catch The Glory at Randwick before a fourth to So Good So Cool at Rosehill after racing wide from the 900m. USEAPIN (6) scored back-to-back provincial wins before stepping up to a Group 3 at Flemington when second last to end last prep. Resumed with a narrow win at Gosford on Mar 15. Drawn to get an ideal run. SEASCAPE (1) finished just ahead of Useapin in that same Group 3. Will be improved by her first-up third to Written In Code here.

BET: SMILING PROPHET (9) each-way.

RACE 6: Benchmark 78 (1150m)

ALTHOFF (6) was a Group 3 winner at two. Finished just behind the placegetters in three stakes races last spring including a fifth to Prost in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell. Has been gelded was good in his Mar 3 trial. PERSPIRATION (4) resumes here without an official trial. Ended last prep with a win in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill over 1100m. MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (8) tackled the Flemington straight for the first time when well back in the Inglis Sprint first-up from a let-up. Was third to Private Harry and third in the Gosford Guineas last prep.

BET: ALTHOFF (6) to win.

RACE 7: Benchmark 78 (1550m)

MICKEY’S MEDAL (10) settled midfield and close well the last 100m when third behind Mawjood when resuming here on Mar 13. His three wins have been over 1500m and he steps up to 1550m. COLLECT YOUR CASH (5) went from a debut maiden win to winning the Listed Dunedin Guineas in four starts in New Zealand last year. Led and ridden out for third in his Feb 24 Randwick so resumes with blinkers on. PEACE OFFICER (3) was a handy third to Cool Jakey at Warwick Farm last start. Is a winner his only run this track and distance.

BET: MICKEY’S MEDAL (10) to win.

RACE 8: 3YO Benchmark 72 (1400m)

ATELIER (6) won her first three starts including a Canterbury victory. Just pipped by Island Dream at Rosehill before a fifth to Snow In May in the Canberra Guineas. Drawn nicely and a big chance. CANARA (9) resumed with a third to Written In Code over 1100m here on Mar 13. Her maiden win was over 1600m so she will appreciate the step up to 1400m. CLIMB THE LADDER (4) was fourth to Don Pedro at his first Sydney run.

BET: ATELIER (6) each-way.

Originally published as Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, March 26, 2025