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By Ray Hickson

4. Monkhana has been racing well at Rosehill with a win and two placings in August at this level. Drew wide when riding the speed up to 1800m last time and perhaps that’s just a bit beyond her. So coming back to the mile she gets a perfect run from gate one just behind the leaders and if she can hold her form she’ll be in the finish.

Dangers: 5. Tenbury Wells beat one home when resuming at 1400m two weeks ago but it was a massive forgive run as he was winding up nicely before being shut out. There was support for him, he’ll only be fitter and he could easily be a lot more forward up to a mile. Be surprised if he’s not a big improver. 3. King Ratel is going to get back, that’s his lot in life, but he almost always runs on and he does have a handy Randwick mile record. It’ll take a good steer from Nash but he’s an upset chance if the breaks go his way. 8. Orthie’s Boys is lightly raced and steps to Midway grade after an all the way win at Kembla. Imagine he’ll look to lead again and is worth considering at his first attempt at the mile.

How to play it: Monkhana WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Petticoat has some strong form around her from her summer campaign in open three-year-old company. She’s trialled up strongly on two occasions up at Grafton and draws to land right on the back of the pace. Might need the gap at the right time but no doubt she can run well in a Highway.

Dangers: 4. Master Of Disguise didn’t have things go her way in her Highway run back in February but it’s hard to ignore the form around her effort before a spell where she was cut down by Melody Again, subsequent Group 3 winner, in fast time at Dubbo in April. Fitter for one trial and worth keeping safe. 15. Social Circle has a bit of a rap on her from two easy all the way wins at Quirindi and Scone split by seven months. Hard to fault her, this looks a fast run Highway on paper so she may need to show she’s adaptable. That’s not to say she isn’t. Must include. 13. Sparklenglitter is another taking on a Highway for the first time and she’s three from three at the 1000m when leading with wins at Orange, Nowra and Wagga. Does she need to work too hard to get across? That’s the query.

How to play it: Petticoat WIN ($7 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Midnight Opal raced quite consistently last preparation and while his wins were on wet tracks he performed just as well on top of the ground in some handy form races. Plenty to like about his two trial efforts, he’s drawn where he could lead if desired but more like to get a nice tag and he can only run well fresh.

Dangers: 12. Husk had the misfortune of being on the back of a horse that was dropping out when she resumed at Randwick two weeks ago but she picked up late to run on into third. Drops 7kg for a class rise into what looks an open race and should have her chance. 2. Disneck has the conditions he loves – Randwick, 1200m, good track – plus James McDonald to ride so he has the set up to be right in the finish if you’re able to make some ground. He’ll be in the second half of the field and if he’s within reach he has a better turn of foot than anything in this race. 9. Dollar Magic never runs a bad race and she didn’t when running sixth in the Mona Lisa at Wyong, just finding 1350m beyond her powers. She’ll be on speed from that inside gate and her 14 second placings tell you it's hard to leave her out.

How to play it: Midnight Opal EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

15. Dominetta had good support when resuming at 1200m two weeks ago and ran well but looked a little outsprinted at the short trip. Gets to a distance where she’s run solidly in the top fillies company last season and finds a race where she should be able to offset the wider gate and find a spot in or near the lead. She should be a bit harder to beat this time.

Dangers: 14. Dance To The Boom jumps straight to 1400m after an even showing when resuming three weeks ago. Fair to say she had her chance but just held ground. Since then she’s been back to the trials and sat off them before racing right away late. Drawn ideally and looks a decent threat. 12. Idle Flyer is a promising mare who does tend to settle off them and come with a run as she did when winning on a heavy track fresh. Unbeaten second-up and if you can make ground she’ll be doing that quickly. 3. Well Timed shook off an ordinary autumn preparation with a solid first-up win two weeks ago, the same race as Dominetta. He did dip his form after a good fresh run last time but he’s more likely to hold it on a good surface.

How to play it: Dominetta WIN ($6 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Vauban performed way above expectation when placing in the Chelmsford at a mile first-up, not so much that he was able to run third but he sprinted just as well as proven miler Ceolwulf and denied that horse the bronze. The 2000m is a lot more in his wheelhouse and he did win at the trip back in March. Expect he’ll be just behind the speed and if he can improve, as he should, he’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 12. Birdman was excellent second-up in the Chelmsford, he was held up behind a couple before switching to the outside and he made nice ground under conditions that don’t suit him. A bit better off at set weights and penalties, drawn the inside and 2000m should start to see him really hit his straps. Go well. 1. Arapaho showed he’s come back nicely with his Winx Stakes placing first-up then boxed on nicely enough in the Chelmsford with Birdman just getting past him late. Another who will only be helped by 2000m and he can be around the mark again. 11. Elamaz is the one that’s harder to line up. He was heavily backed when winning the McKell Cup from the front back in June. He profiles similarly to last year’s winner Eliyass and could have similar upside and on what we’ve seen he’s a chance to measure up.

How to play it: Vauban WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Tupakara looks the best placed of those who finished around her in the Furious two weeks ago given a nice soft draw and an ability to make some use of it. Had to go right back first-up and she was breathing down the neck of the winner on the line. Appears to have the better set up to turn the tables and break through for her first win.

Dangers: 1. Apocalyptic was the winner of that race and was advantaged a little by having the inside gate and tracking through before getting into the clear and getting the job done. She’s drawn out this time and we don’t know what tactical speed she has given she’s only had two starts. She’s also got the most upside so could overcome some adversity. 3. Within The Law is faced with having to go back once again as she did in the Furious before running on into fifth, perhaps Tupakara just sprinted a bit better, when staying at 1200m. She’ll appreciate the trip and sure to be hitting the line. 6. Queen Of Clubs is also on the back foot with a tricky gate and she’ll probably go back as well. Hard to miss her fresh effort in the Silver Shadow and she’s missed the Furious to wait for the 1400m. She’s trialled well and galloped nicely in public and is sure to be showing she’s on target for further.

How to play it: Tupakara WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

10. Kintyre is decent each-way odds but if all is well with him he’s more than good enough to go close fresh. Only had the two runs in the autumn and underwent a wind operation, he’s trialled pretty well particularly in the latest at 1200m. Draws ideally, while his first-up record doesn’t read great he did run fifth in the Tramway last year and then a close fourth in this race. Like where he’s drawn and he has the right scenario to run well.

Dangers: 2. Yellow Brick was probably not the best suited on a heavy 10 in the Show County a month ago and the form has held up since then with Lazzura winning again and General Salute running well. He gets to 1400m on a dry track, draws nicely and can only improve on what he did fresh. 17. Royal Patronage is a curious one having gained a start given he’s won first-up in his past two preps at 1400m and 1300m. Wide isn’t so much an issue as he’s a go forward horse and he’s earned the 61kg. He seems to have come back from Hong Kong well enough looking at his trials and is right in it. 8. With Your Blessing is a little underestimated at times and he has the right form around him as well with his second in the Show County and third in the Tramway. Right in this too.

How to play it: Kintyre EACH-WAY ($18 TAB Fixed Odds).

5. Gringotts cruised up to them like he was going to win the Wins Stakes first-up but suspect the heavy 10 got him when the pressure went right on. Don’t mind the month between runs and he’s had a 1200m trial win in the interim. He’s the type that should be able to land in the box seat from gate one and get the jump on those chasing him. He won four times at the mile and should be right in the finish.

Dangers: It’s a big race for 1. Ceolwulf who was expected to win the Chelmsford second-up after his excellent return in the Winx, giving a big start and trying to charge down the middle. Things didn’t work out for him last time as he was shuffled back midrace. He still ran on well and if he can make some use of the barrier this time it’d be in his favour. 11. Fangirl is hard to deny in any race and she won this event last year. Eight of her 11 wins have been at Randwick and there was nothing in her first-up run to say she hasn’t come back as well as ever. She’ll get back and be charging at them as always. 3. Private Eye has the right set up drawn alongside Lindermann to get a cart across from the near outside gate and land on the speed. He’s racing in great form and was just ambushed by Pericles in the Tramway who had the drop on him. Can’t leave out.

How to play it: Gringotts WIN ($6 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Private Harry has done nothing wrong with wins at all five starts including his Group 1 triumph in the Galaxy and while this is his biggest test there’s nothing to say he won’t pass it. He’s been sharp in his trial wins leafing in and he’s proven most dynamic on top of the ground so gets conditions to suit first-up. Expecting he’ll find the front from the middle draw, give a kick and be hard to run down.

Dangers: 1. Briasa could well have his back in the run and that makes him dangerous. He’s also trialled impressively on a couple of occasions leading in and is slightly better off at the weights from the Galaxy. He’s either won or run fourth in his 10 starts and he’ll be a threat. 4. Joliestar would relish a strong tempo and they should get along nicely enough for her to have her chance to sit back and charge into the finish, which would be the expectation for her major Everest lead up run. She’s a pattern watch, if they are making good ground she becomes a big chance. 10. Generosity is a big query runner given we don’t know where she would have finished in the Concorde first-up had she been able to get a run. Draws soft again and her second-up form reads stronger so if there’s a real knockout she could be the one.

How to play it: Private Harry WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Prepared to give 9. Perfumist a chance to find her best form with a theory that her first-up heavy track run knocked her off kilter. She didn’t fire at all second-up staying at 1200m and has been freshened for the step up in distance. There was good purpose in how she found the line in her trial recently and there’s a chance she gets an easy on pace run. Entitled to bounce back.

Dangers: 5. Lord Penman is also up from 1200m though it’s now been five weeks between runs and no trial since his slashing first-up showing. It might be a case of overthinking it as the fact is he’s going to get a perfect run and could well be too good. 6. Pocketing found the 1200m short as well when he resumed in Brisbane but he found the line quite well and will love the rise in trip. Won the Tulloch at Group 2 level in the autumn over 2000m and he’s entitled to be competitive. 1. Quietness hasn’t raced since a game second after leading the Grafton Cup back in July. She’s had just the one trial but is yet to run a bad race and not expecting that to change given she’ll have a nice run in transit and the chance to run on.

How to play it: Perfumist EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting