2. Just Party only needed another stride and he’d have pinched the Tapp-Craig from 1. Anode two weeks ago. He rattled home along the fence to just miss. He was entitled to close stronger than Anode late given they settled at the opposite ends of the field but Just Party’s last 400m was four lengths quicker than Anode’s. Given where Just Party has drawn in barrier 1, if he can get the back of Anode all he has to do if reproduce what he did last start. Anode gets his all-important dry track again. He has won two from four on firm footing with a further two seconds. The other was in the Run To The Rose when pipped by Traffic Warden.
4. Deconstruction worked to the line behind Anode last start like the mile will suit.
How to play it: Just Party to win.
Race 6 – 3.25pm CINCOTTA CHEMIST CRAVEN PLATE (1800m)
3. Lindermann beat just two runners home first up in the Alan Brown Stakes over 1400m but it was a non-event for the five-year-old. He carried 59kg and went back to last from the wide gate. That’ll clear out the cobwebs and bring him on for 1800m second up. He boasts a great second up record (5:2-1-1). Over the spring he ran third to Think It Over and Fangirl in the G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes. That was at Randwick. Thereafter he belted his six rivals in the Sky High out to 2000m as an odds-on favourite. Draws barrier 1 and finds Joao Moreira. 2. Fawkner Park never looked comfortable first up in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Respect that he jumped $6.50 and was at the time the Caulfield Cup favourite. The wash-up was that he didn’t appreciate racing inside runners and wanted to lay in.
How to play it: Lindermann to win.
Race 7 – 4pm MOËT & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES (2000m)
1. El Castello brings winning form into the Spring Champion having won three straight this time back including the Gloaming Stakes two weeks ago. 2. Swiftfalcon was eating into the margin late but given where they’ll both likely be in the run and the early price, have a slight lean to El Castello. He has tactical speed and jumped a length in front second up when he won his Midway. Swiftfalcon will likely be last from barrier 11. The Gloaming has provided 10 of the past 14 winners of the Spring Champion and all 10 have finished either first or second. History suggests that the market has it right when it comes to the two main chances. El Castello is a son of Castelvecchio and gives every indication that he’ll relish getting out to 2000m for the first time. He also gets his preferred dry track. Fillies have won this race three times in the past eight years and
9. Rag Queen more than held her own in the Gloaming.
How to play it: El Castello to win.
Race 8 – 4.45pm THE INVITATION (1400m)
1. Zougotcha is a three-time group 1 winner. The gamble is whether punters are willing to overlook her last start. The mare settled outside of the leader in the 7 Stakes when in the market but knocked up to be well beaten. Nothing in the stewards report explained that performance. It was out of character as one of the hallmarks of Zougotcha’s career has been how consistent she’s been. The five-year-old has been freshened since with five weeks between runs and she has trialled well subsequently. First up she was grabbed on the line by stablemate Via Sistina in the G1 Winx Stakes over this same track and trip, the Randwick 1400m.
7. Makarena had excuses in the Alan Brown last start having been posted three and four deep throughout from the wide gate. She boxed on well despite that torrid run. Comes back to mares company and comes up with the inside gate. She beat Amelia’s Jewel in the Golden Pendant the start prior.
How to play it: Zougotcha to win.
Race 9 – 5.30pm FIVE DIAMONDS PRELUDE (1500m)
12. Territory Express is one for the thrill seekers. He’ll be last upon settling. It was hard to miss his first up run in the Alan Brown Stakes behind Here To Shock where he zigged and zagged his way through the field to flash home into sixth. Zac Lloyd jumps back aboard too. The young gun has ridden him three times for two wins and a defeat by a nostril to Democracy Manifest. There is a lot of speed engaged here courtesy of noted front runners 6. Amor Victorious, 11. Iknowastar and 16. Felix Majestic. Something has to give late. Enter Territory Express. Iknowastar was brave to only be beaten two lengths in that same Alan Brown form reference. He was only first up himself and set a solid tempo, particularly in the middle stages. There was no respite and he was entitled to be beaten by further. Improves off that and he too has raced well at Randwick in the past.
How to play it: Territory Express to win.
Race 10 – 6.10pm ROBRICK LODGE FILANTE HCP (1600m)
9. Sounds Of Heaven is on the quick back up and the blinkers go on for the first time. Joe Pride doesn’t leave much to chance so there is intent to be read into the set up for this mare. In the form guide her three Australian runs all look plain on paper but she’s had excuses. Drops to 52kg and wouldn’t be surprised to see Reece Jones bang her out on top of the speed. 5. Kintyre will run to his mark which sees him hard to beat. He held his own in the G1 Epsom last start finishing midfield. He had his chance with 50kg on his back but will appreciate the drop back in grade. Was fifth to Royal Patronage first up and then fourth to Mchale and Gringotts second up. 6. Cafe Millenium is hard to trust but like the blinkers going back on. Travelled like he’d be in the finish second up over the Randwick mile. He hasn’t won for 88 weeks now.
How to play it: Sounds Of Heaven each way.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
