8. Scorched Land is a Midway winner back in August, so we know he’s up to the task, and is versatile enough to be forward of midfield in the run. That looks a huge advantage given the lack of pressure on paper. The five-year-old, trained by Todd Howlett, took late ground off Ang Pow at Newcastle two starts ago over 1350m, with Ang Pow subsequently winning by even further in Queensland. Then last start Scorched Land started an $18 chance in the Four Pillars but nothing went right for him. The wide draw dictated that he settled well back in the run and he was squeezed out of a tight gap at the 400m mark when just starting to build momentum. 12. Wrathful is a talent but it’s still very early days as far as his career goes. He might still be good enough to pick this up on the way through but mindful that he’s only had two starts and comes off a narrow last start maiden win.
How To Play It: Scorched Land EACH WAY
Race 6 – 3:20PM ALF KNEEBONE TRANS-TASMAN TROPHY BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1850 METRES)
7. Global Ausbred ran fourth in the Silver Eagle first up at massive odds before proving that was no fluke with a second to Waterford out to 1500m. The four-year-old has the looks and the pedigree to add to his tally of three wins now third up out to 1850m. He has just been outsprinted in his two runs back before coming again through the line. That won’t be an issue out in trip now. His asset, being a big, strong lump of a gelding, is his ability to put himself on top of the speed and sustain a gallop. Without another obvious leader engaged here, he’ll get his chance. 4. Bonny Ezra produced an eye-catching effort at Randwick behind Diamil first up over the mile. He maps to take advantage of a low draw in this and finds James McDonald. Like the three weeks between runs ensuring there is still some speed in his legs for this trip.
How To Play It: Global Ausbred WIN
Race 7 – 4:00PM NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK 3YO NJC SPRING STAKES (1600 METRES)
5. Token Capitalist held his own in the Callander-Presnell at Randwick three weeks ago, finishing a distant fourth. That form reference behind the Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile reads well for this, despite being beaten 6.5 lengths. He held off 1. Basquiat late. Being a son of Capitalist should see him relish getting onto a good track for the first time. He is still in his first campaign and learning on the job but he’ll put himself on top of the speed, looking the likely leader with a clean getaway, and he’ll give a sight at double figure odds. 3. Saveadateforme could have a ceiling higher than any of his rivals here but the market has cottoned on to that too. He trotted in at Goulburn last start when an odds on favourite in Class 2 company. There is harder and he draws wide. James McDonald rides 2. Robusto for Chris Waller, with the stable well represented with four runners.
How To Play It: Token Capitalist EACH WAY
Race 8 – 4:40PM THE HUNTER (1300 METRES)
5. In The Congo was attacked in front in the Golden Eagle by Mr Mozart and thought he was brave to finish just four lengths off the winner in seventh. In The Congo was also jumping 1200m to 1500m having contested the Sydney Stakes two weeks prior. This looks a better set up for the Golden Rose winner coming back to 1300m where he can better use his natural speed. Drawn barrier 2, he’ll get first crack at finding the front. 6. Vilana’s Golden Eagle chances copped a hammer blow with the barrier draw. He found himself giving away an impossible start and did well to get as close as he did, finishing eighth. Nash Rawiller sticks and there should be a spot for him just in behind the speed here. If Jim Byrne gets the first half of the race right on Apache Chase, he’s in with a huge showing. Has to lump the top weight of 59kg but it didn’t stop Lost And Running last year.
How To Play It: In The Congo WIN
Race 9 – 5:20PM KARAKA 2023 BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Doesn’t take too much imagination to conclude that 1. Waihaha Falls should have won the Sydney Stakes first up. Forced back from the wide gate he motored to the line in restricted room. That was on the back of two arrogant wins in the middle of the year as he worked his way through the grades. His rapidly rising rating sees him carry 61.5kg, even after the claim of Reece Jones, and his best form to date have been away from good tracks. They’re both levellers. He’s far from over the line but he does set up beautifully from the low draw. The market hasn’t missed him but he’s clearly a sprinter on the rise. 18. Democracy Manifest did a fantastic job to run on into second last start given that the leader and winner 5. Cotehele got an absolute picnic out in front. That won’t be the case here. He’ll relish the hot tempo that this race promises, especially with 54kg on his back.
How To Play It: Waihaha Falls
Race 10 – 5:55PM NZB JACK NEWTON LEGEND MILE BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
There’s enough in the early price to give 12. Kermanding the chance to bounce back. He was too bad to be true last start at Randwick when sent around a $6.50 chance. The five-year-old settled out the back from the wide draw and made no impression late. The jockey reported that he may have got his tongue over the bit. The only other explanation could be that he flattened off second up having run so well first up despite a 79-week spell. Like that he has been given three weeks to freshen up from that. He also draws to settle closer and gets back onto a good track. They’re all positives. 6. One Aye ran a terrific race in the Big Dance last start despite being sent around at $71. She was shuffled back in the first half of the race before matching motors with Diamil in the sprint to the line. 11. Adjourn is the big unknown. The British import is being kept very safe in early betting.
How To Play It: Kermanding EACH WAY
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
