By Nick Berney
ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 10 # 6 – PUNTIN
He's a progressive type with the key attributes of adaptability/acceleration, and expecting a career-peak performance here. The three-year-old was on an upwards ratings spiral prior to having excuses last start at this track. Further, he was slow out and couldn't build momentum at key stages in the straight, but he tried hard in defeat to beat the rest easily in a strong time race. He brings a likable profile and can control the race, stepping out to the 1800m.
ROYAL RANDWICK – NEXT BEST: Race 1 # 7 – NAZWAH
She's a nice type and was impressive winning on debut at Gosford, doing at both ends, running slick time. The two-year-old only had the one trial leading in, but was heavily backed, and she was too sharp for her rivals. Further, she led at a fast pace, accelerated and went to the line untested but still ran some of the meetings' fastest closing splits. Expect her to roll forward, and she has the all-important edge in race fitness over some of her key rivals.
In Summer (Pic: Bradley Photos)
ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 3 # 6 – IN SUMMER
She is ready to peak third-up, and the mare had too much to do last start. The Messara & Gavranich-trained runner had to be restrained from a wide draw and was completely unsuited to the pace of the race. To her credit, she made up significant ground, and her final few bounds suggested she was set to improve. Punter's Intelligence recorded she ran the race's fastest final 600m in 34.76. She's still lightly raced and expect her to settle much closer with the barrier change.
KEMBLA GRANGE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 4 # 1 – WILD THOUGHTS
He profiles to go to a new level here and is suited to stepping out to the 1500m for the first time. The gelding wasn't suited to the race shape first-up at Hawkesbury, but he ran on well into second, recording fast closing splits in a high-rating last section. He returns to his home track, having had a tick-over trial between runs, and is coming through proven form lines.