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STAY ON TRACK - SELECTIONS

Saturday's 10-race program at Royal Randwick features the $160,000 Drinkwise Mile (1600m) where the $3.50 TAB joint favourites are Tijuana and Ha Ha Ha in advance of Space Age ($4.20) and Galeron ($5.50), who are the only horses under double-figure odds.

The rail is out 11m from the 1600m-1000m, out 12m from the 1000m-winning post and out 8m the remainder with the track rated a Good 4. Some showers are forecast during Friday with the slight chance of showers on raceday and a top temperature of 21 degrees for Saturday.

This week’s selections: BG

BEST BET
Race 2, No.11 - IMARICHGIRL ($8 on TAB)

Saturday 27th July – ROYAL RANDWICK

2. SHEZANALISTER ($2.80 on TAB) is still on the up. The four-year-old mare has won four of her past five starts, adding to that tally first-up over this same track and trip three weeks ago. Granted, it was against her own sex in BM78 company but it was also on a heavy track with 61kg. It could be a sign of what’s to come for the daughter of Star Turn this preparation. Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to target better races providing she continues to impress. Tommy Berry has ridden her three times for three wins and he jumps back on for Saturday’s assignment. Shezanalister maps to stalk the speed from another inside gate and still being on fresh legs, expecting her to take holding out. Early betting has it a two-horse race with 4. Fleetwood ($2.10 favourite) but at the slightly better price, leaning the mare’s way.

1. VIVY AIR ($7) is an easy bet to have at the early prices compared to what is being offered up about boom horse 4. Kerguelen ($2.20 fav). Ciaron Maher recently took over the training of this three-year-old filly and before diving into the depth of her form, it’s interesting to note that Mark Zahra comes to Sydney for just the one ride - this girl! Vivy Air races well fresh and should have been a first-up winner last campaign. She was a good thing beaten when flashing home into second behind Legacies. Thereafter she started in the market in two Group races. The daughter of Hellbent has trialled twice ahead of her return and caught the eye on both occasions making up late ground under a hold. The 1300m looks a nice kick off point and hoping she can hold a midfield position from the draw.

9. KING OF FLORIDA ($12) is a work in progress, however, he looks a talented import worth keeping an eye on. The first thing that strikes you about the four-year-old is his presence in the yard. He was flanked by two strappers in his first Australian run as he hasn’t been the most straightforward horse to get going by all reports. On the track he raced wide the whole trip, loomed up but peaked on his run on a heavy track. He was set to run again at Randwick two weeks ago but broke through the front of the barriers. Hence, the blindfold going on for the first time here. Since then he has been back to the trials and like what he did in his heat, jumping well to take up the running before coasting to the line. Did look a little keen throughout but jockey Jay Ford now has the benefit of having had a sit aboard him. This is a winnable race.

10. SEQUESTERED ($2.30 fav) sizzled home to win first and second-up last preparation. Both of those performances were on good tracks. The four-year-old’s campaign went south in two runs thereafter. She was beaten as favourite after looming ominously before dropping out to run last at Flemington. She ran fourth in an Adrian Knox as a filly but perhaps she is more dynamic kept to shorter trips as she has the turn of foot for it. The 1300m looks a perfect target for her on Saturday. She has spent 37 weeks on the sidelines, with two trials to tune her up for her return. Draws soft and James McDonald is booked to ride. The only trade off is how well found she is in betting but can’t tip against her. Looks too well placed. Hold fire and hope for a better price come closer to jump.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here