Randwick-Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday September 11, 2024

Winx’s little sister, Wings Of Desire, has been good in winning her first two starts and can maintain her unbeaten record when she steps out at Randwick-Kensington.

Wings Of Desire can make it three from three when she goes to Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday. Picture; Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Adam Sherry analyses Wednesday’s seven-race card on the Kensington track at Randwick, providing his best bets, value selections, quaddie picks and inside mail.

• PRO TIPS: Professional punter James Molony analyses Wednesday’s Randwick-Kensington card

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BEST BET
Race 5 No.9 WINGS OF DESIRE
Has been impressive winning both starts at the provincials. Takes another step up in grade but extra trip should suit and she can stay unbeaten.

NEXT BEST
Race 3 No.5 ASTAPOR
Drops back to benchmark company after two runs in stakes grade including a fourth in the Rosebud.

VALUE BET
Race 7 No.8 MAD DEEL
Nice efforts to place second in both runs back from a spell and ready to peak third-up.

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

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
The TAB Jockey Challenge looks a good match between James McDonald and Nash Rawiller.

RACE 1: 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m)
MAORI CHIEF (2) was beaten in debut at Newcastle by the promising Bauhinia who had the benefit of a race start. Went to a Benchmark 64 at Canterbury and just missed catching Seascape. Back to a maiden here. MAYNE (3) kicked up to lead and was kept honest in front before being caught late when a close third to Shohisha and Pinito on debut at Warwick Farm. Will give a bold sight again. CALIFORNIA BAY (4) is a debutant by Dundeel from a sister to Merchant Navy and Jolie Bay. Trialling well including a closing win at Randwick on Aug 30.
BET: Maori Chief to win.

RACE 2: 3YO+ MAIDEN HANDICAP (1550m)
TI AMO TANTO (8) was easy in betting on debut when she got well back from the outside gate when fifth behind all-the-way winner Harry’s Bar. Drawn much better here and should settle closer. JOHNNY THE KID (1) is backing up from his half-length fourth behind El Castello at Warwick Farm last week. Placed his previous two and will be in the finish again. WEXFORD MISS (6) made ground when fourth to Threatening at Hawkesbury first-up before boxing on for second to Copacabana at Newcastle over 1400m. Step up in trip should suit.
BET: Ti Ama Tanto to win.

RACE 3: BENCHMARK 72 (1150m)
ASTAPOR (5) won three form six in Queensland including a first-up win Eagle Farm with 60kg on July 20. Had his first run for Joe Pride when fourth to Gatsby’s in the Rosebud before a sixth to Growing Empire in the McNeil at Caulfield after racing wide. Drawn out again but drops in grade. PIERCING ARROW (4) had mixed form in his first campaign with a debut win and a second in the Albury Guineas while down the track in the other two. Returns as a gelding and has trialled well. GUNDY GUY (3) is coming off a win at Wagga.
BET: Astapor to win.

RACE 4: BENCHMARK 72 (1800m)
AGITA (4) drops in grade from his length fourth to Promitto in a Rosehill Midway over 1800m on Aug 31. Was stepping up from his first-up fourth over 1400m. Blinkers go on. CAPTAIN MAVERICK (7) took improvement from his first-up run behind Medatsu at Rosehill when fourth to All In The Mind over 1600m at Warwick Farm. Looks suited going to 1800m third-up and drawn to get a nice run.
BET: Agita to win.

RACE 5: 3YO+ FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 72 (1400m)
Not many horses win their maiden and follow up with another win let along at their first two starts. WINGS OF DESIRE (9) did just that, though, with her maiden at Hawkesbury and a Benchmark 64 at Newcastle. She takes another step up here and although draw wide, the 14500m looks ideal. HALLETT (4) drops back from the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes when ninth to Ameena. Won her debut here from Pinito and Zeitung before a third to Espionage in the Kindergarten Stakes. MAKENA (6) and POPPIN’ CHAMPAGNE (2) have place claims.
BET: Wings Of Desire to win.

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 72 (1000m)
GITALONG (1) was a sound second to Whistlefield first-up over 1000m at Caulfield and returned there with a fifth to Marble Nine over 1100m. Boxed on for second to Piastri and beat home Way To The Stars over 1100m at Rosehill last start. Back to his favourite trip and gets his preferred good surface. ANOTHER COGNAC (6) resumed as a gelding and stormed home down the outside to score a nice win from Custo over this trip at Warwick Farm. Good chance again. CUSTO (4) meets Another Cognac 2kg better and will make his presence felt.
BET: Gitalong to win.

RACE 7: 3YO+ COLTS, HORSES AND GELDINGS BENCHMARK 72 (1400m)
MAD DEEL (8) came from near last down the outside fence when runner-up to the in-form and progressive Yorkshire when resuming on a heavy track over 1300m here on Aug 14. Sat behind the leader and held on for second to all-the-way winner Flying Destiny over 1250m at Canterbury. Was a third-up winner last campaign and ready to peak. UNITED KINGDOM (10) came wide and was a bit green but was too good to win over 15006m on debut at Geelong then jumped straight to the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield when eighth to Immediacy before a second at Pakenham. Trialling very well. ROCK EMPIRE (5) and GROUNDRUSH (11) have claims.
BET: Mad Deel each-way.

Originally published as Randwick-Kensington best bets, inside mail for Wednesday September 11, 2024