NewsBite

Randwick Inside Mail: Trainer Kristin Buchanan says ‘we haven’t let the handbrake off at home’ on Winning Proposal

Ray Thomas provides his best bets and quaddie selections for Royal Randwick on Saturday, plus he takes a closer look at a fascinating clash that will kick-off the 10-race card.

Ray Thomas
4 min read
July 6, 2024 - 7:00AM
The Kristen Buchanan-trained Winning Proposal wins at Warwick Farm on June 2. Picture: Bradley Photos
The Kristen Buchanan-trained Winning Proposal wins at Warwick Farm on June 2. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Kristen Buchanan is hopeful Winning Proposal can derail the Tulloch Lodge juvenile juggernaut at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Winning Proposal clashes with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable representative Mayfair in the Petaluma Handicap (1100m).

The pair dominated TAB Fixed Odds betting with talented filly Winning Proposal the $2.50 favourite with well-bred colt Mayfair pressing at $3.10 for his debut race.

A winner of two of her four starts including an impressive Warwick Farm effort last week, Winning Proposal has to concede Mayfair 3kg which might prove telling in the heavy track conditions.

• Gai Waterhouse: ‘Can’t see why Mayfair won’t win … and win easily’

“Winning Proposal is a really lovely filly who tries very hard,’’ Buchanan said.

“She’s only a little, lightly-framed two-year-old so she has surprised me with just how well she handles racing.

“She’s very professional although she is still very raw. We haven’t really let the ‘handbrake’ off at home so she is learning in her races.

“It’s good to have Nash (Rawiller, jockey) on Winning Proposal as they learn a lot from riders like him.’’

Winning Proposal’s trainer Kristen Buchanan. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
Winning Proposal’s trainer Kristen Buchanan. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

• Shayne O’Cass’s Racewatch: Invader Zim poised to launch first-up assault

Buchanan has three runners at the Randwick meeting including Delexo ($26) in the Midway Handicap (1200m).

Delexo goes to Randwick after two runs from a spell including his last start third to a rampant Compelling Truth in The Cannonball at Dubbo.

“Compelling Truth looked very smart the other day but I was happy with Delexo’s run,’’ Buchanan said.

“He has been getting anxious in the barriers and can miss the kick so I don’t mind the wide gate (13) for him at Randwick because he won’t be in the barriers for too long.

“He’s been a very good horse for the stable over a number of seasons now and he should run well on Saturday.’’

Buchanan is keeping a close eye on the track conditions for Chevron in the Robrick Lodge Eremein Handicap (1300m).

“I’ve been trying to find a dry track with Chevron,’’ Buchanan admitted.

“This looks like a lovely race for him on Saturday but the concern is the heavy (9) track. If he doesn’t handle the going then I will spell him, he will be gelded and return next season.’’

Banner : Racenet IqBanner : Racenet Iq

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James ‘The Guru’ Molony’s race-by-race analysis for Randwick on Saturday

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

RANDWICK BIG BETS, MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Winning Proposal $6.50-$2.70, Mayfair $6-$3.30
Race 2: Until Valhalla $3.20-$3, Invader Zim $6.50-$5.50, Manwe $21-$14
Race 3: Iron Man $6-$5
Race 4: Clear Thinking $1.95-$1.80 with a bet of $2,000 at $1.95
Race 5: Kapakiri $8-$5.50
Race 6: Plundering $9-$7.50, Rain Lord $21-$10
Race 7: Acappella Sun $8-$5.50
Race 8: Iknowastar $3.60-$2.60, Tamerlane $11-$9
Race 9: Contemporary $4.60-$3.50 with a bet of $2,100 at $3.90, Elson Boy $8-$5, Disneck $11-$5 after a big bet of $5,000 a $4.80
Race 10: Pure Alpha $3.30-$3.10-$3.30, Rhapsody Chic $5.50-$4.60, Secret Plan $14-$8.50

RAY THOMAS’ EARLY QUADDIE SELECTIONS
Race 3: 1,2,5,8
Race 4: 1,3,5,10
Race 5: 2,5,6,7
Race 6: 1,2,8

RAY THOMAS’ QUADDIE SELECTIONS
Race 7: 1,4,7,8
Race 8: 2,5,7,10
Race 9: 5,8,14
Race 10: 1,6,9,10

• SATURDAY MARKET MOVERS: $13 to $5 firmer at Randwick

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

PRICE CHECK
The Race 9 clash between Contemporary, Elson Boy and Disneck has attracted plenty of TAB punter interest. Godolphin’s Contemporary has firmed from $4.60 to $3.50 favouritism including a bet of $2,100 at $3.90. Disneck drops 8kg to 52kg after his good second at Rosehill last week and one punter has placed a big bet of $5,000 at $4.80 on the spring. Elson Boy has also firmed from $8 to $5.

• TIPS FROM THE BIG BOOKIES: Saturday, July 6

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TRIAL POINTERS
Carnegie Hill (race 1) makes his debut after two good barrier trial efforts, the most recent in a 1050m heat at Randwick when he jumped quickly to take the early lead before racing away to win by more than two lengths. The Michael Freedman-trained colt wasn’t extended during the trial and won as he liked. Carnegie Hill is a son of super sire I Am Invincible and looks to have loads of natural ability.

Contemporary (race 9) was very impressive first-up at the Hawkebury stand-alone meeting two months ago when he monstered his rivals with a powerful finishing surge. He hasn’t raced since but trainer James Cummings gave the gelding a barrier trial hitout at Warwick Farm recently when he cruised into third placing without being pressured at any stage. Contemporary will appreciate the big Randwick track.

• Schofield’s black type mission on ‘under-rated’ mare

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

SECTIONAL STARS
Jedibeel (race 6) scored his second win in three starts this campaign when he savaged the line to win at Canterbury last start. Jedibeel let rip over the final 600m in 34.97s – he was the only horse to break 35s for the sectional on the day – as he reeled in Mogo Magic and sprinted clear to win well. Jedibeel’s final 200m of 12s flat was also the best of the meeting.

Disneck (race 9) shouldered 60kg at Rosehill last week and came from near last on the turn to finish second behind In Flight. Disneck ran home his final 600m in a fast 33.78s, the second fastest of the meeting. He drops 8kg to just 52kg for Randwick.

• Ray & Shayno: Best bet ‘bred to be special’ … but can it salute at $1.80?

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

RAY THOMAS’ BEST BET
Clear Thinking (race 4) has looked very good winning her only two stars, both at Scone, by big margins. She’s a superbly-bred mare who has handled soft tracks with ease suggesting the heavy track won’t be an issue for her. This is a much tougher race but she is a mare with obvious talent. Clear Thinking is short enough in betting but back her with confidence.

BEST VALUE
Flying Crazy (race 8) ran a blinder to split to just miss reeling in Excelladus (King Of The Castle was third) at Randwick then he had no luck in the Civic Stakes won by Diamond Diesel. He was held up for a run from the top of the straight and never really got clear galloping room. The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter handles heavy going, his jockey Jay Ford is riding in very good form, and at $10 he’s very good each way value.

Originally published as Randwick Inside Mail: Trainer Kristin Buchanan says ‘we haven’t let the handbrake off at home’ on Winning Proposal

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/horse-racing/randwick-inside-mail-trainer-kristin-buchanan-says-we-havent-let-the-handbrake-off-at-home-on-winning-proposal/news-story/23c06412b6e839e4d411ec5b619909cb