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By Ray Hickson

It’s hard not to be impressed by the way 7. Nazwah went about things on debut at Gosford. She used the gate to roll through and lead and if she was put under any pressure it was minimal as she coasted to the line. Natural step up for her at this time of year to test her out a bit more and there’s a nice measuring stick in the top weight to give us a guide. She looks progressive and if that’s the case she’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Shaggy has won three races all from the front, when he was beaten in the Skyline he sat outside the leader and didn’t finish the race off. Whether it was the end of his prep we’ll find out. He trialled in good style coming from off the speed and with the claim you’d have to say he’s well placed to run well. 3. Nashville Jack showed a bit of promise in his first preparation finishing just behind the placings in the Silver Slipper and Black Opal. Plenty of merit in both his recent trial wins, drawn to get a nice run and no surprise to see him take a step forward. 10. Koibito from the Waterhouse/Bott stable is on debut and is a curious runner having won both her trials from off the speed. Perhaps bred to excel over a bit further but if there’s any support it’d be worth noting.

How to play it: Nazwah WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Happy to give 9. Callistemon another chance thinking the wide barrier might actually be an advantage for her. She tends to like to wind up and had that chance two starts ago when winning easily but not last time as she found herself cluttered up between horses. She finished off as well as anything when she eventually got going and if she can get a flowing run into the race with cover she could easily bounce back.

Dangers: 2. Kingston Charm is the obvious danger coming through the same race. She was able to wind up along the fence and charge into second placing there and being third-up now she’ll be just about reaching her top. 3. Forecaster was runner-up to Callistemon two starts ago after leading then far from disgraced up in class battling on for fourth behind Oh Diamond Lil. Will put himself right on speed, if not leading, and any extra rain would be a plus for him. Each-way chance. 16. Starphistocated is an up and comer who won a Class 1 on a heavy track before a solid enough third at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago. Right down in the weights now and a placing wouldn’t be out of the question.

How to play it: Callistemon WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. In Summer was beaten by the barrier in the 1600m Highway two weeks ago and you’d have to think gate one at this starting point is gold. She drew the outside and went back to last and improved a bit along the fence, she did a great job to run into third and was stronger than anything going through the line. She’s above average, handles all ground and third-up now is ready to win.

Dangers: 7. Red Rags To Bulls would be the danger coming through the same race, she wound up behind In Summer in the run on the turn and had to go around them so she’s run very well to finish off in fifth place. Much kinder gate and has a good chance. 8. Off The Scale brings different form with a couple wins around this trip at Port Macquarie and Scone and both by dominant margins. Expect she will roll forward and be somewhere on the speed. Keep in mind. 2. Full Of Sincerity has been going around in open company in the state’s north and is competitive though his strike rate is a little worrisome. Another with an on pace profile and have to respect the stable’s placement.

How to play it: In Summer WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Stardeel has been a work in progress this preparation and he now sneaks up in distance after three runs around the 1100m trip. Found support into favourite two weeks ago when closing off well behind King’s Secret and that has to be the best formline for this grade. If that’s the case then he’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 1. Codetta hasn’t had a lot of luck in three runs this time in but she’s shown her grit with placings in all three runs. Sat wide at Rosehill last time and didn’t give up the ghost at all, staying on for third. Surely she’s afforded a kinder run here and she’s more than good enough to win this. 6. Glorious Moments is the big wild card even though he came up early favourite. You had to like the dominance of his first-up win at Canterbury where he enjoyed the sort of run just behind the leaders that he promises to get here. This is tougher but we don’t know how good he is yet. 2. Diddle Dumpling crossed them from an outside barrier and led all the way in a solid effort at Rosehill, the same race Codetta ran third in. Same weight after the claim and you’d expect she’ll head forward again from another outside barrier. Must be included.

How to play it: Stardeel WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Oh Diamond Lil took control early over this trip two weeks ago and was able to hold off a promising type to score quite comfortably. Gets some weight relief for a class rise but the challenge for her here is to react to the likelihood she won’t be able to lead with one definitely and another possibly to look to hold her out. She handled it well when winning first-up from just behind the speed and she’s right at the top of her game at the moment.

Dangers: 6. Battleton could be the beneficiary if there is a speed battle up front. He just found himself way too far back in the race won by Getafix but he ran on to finish midfield and did run some handy sectionals so the six lengths or so margin is a touch harsh on him. Smaller field, softer draw and he’s a threat this time. 9. Aberlour found her best when leading all the way over 1800m at the last Randwick meeting and it’s now on her to reproduce that performance. Also up in class but down in weight and she has to be considered. 3. Green Shadows would also like some kind of battle up front as he has the chance to get a nice run with cover and finish off. He’s been thereabouts of late and looks the other winning chance.

How to play it: Oh Diamond Lil WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Nana’s Wish had a few convictions before this preparation but she’s turned it around with two strong wins on end around the mile. Hasn’t won beyond it as yet but given her mood at the moment, the draw and the claim, she’ll get every chance to go on with it.

Dangers: 5. She’s Unusual was handed the lead over this track and distance a month ago and was never going to be beaten as she turned it into a sprint home. It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds for her. 7. Changing Colours was a shade disappointing as favourite when staying at 1400m last time. Perhaps she’s looking for the extra trip now and you’d have to give her another chance. 10. Bright Red is going well without winning of late and tried hard when narrowly beaten over this course last time. Softer track a plus for her.

How to play it: Nana's Wish EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Sacred Rocks looks better than this grade but she does have a bit of work to do from the outside barrier. It may be that it’s a plus to be there by this stage of the day but that’s not something we’ll know until Saturday afternoon. Fair to say she should have won last start at Rosehill, she just had to wait for the eventual winner to go before she could get around his heels but it was too late. She still sprinted strongly and just needs some of the breaks go her way to atone.

Dangers: 6. Unstopabull was slowly out last week at Rosehill and that put him out of play. He was then held up for runs ducking back to the inside and under the circumstances he’s performed well to run fifth. If he happens to strike a soft 6 or worse it’s right in his favour and he’s a good chance. 9. Drift Net is consistent and while she doesn’t win out of turn she’ll get plenty of favours from the inside barrier. Yet to miss a place at this distance too. Freshened up since a solid third behind Sacred Rocks about six weeks ago. In the mix as usual. 1. Able Willie was something of a sneaky hidden run finishing midfield behind Cloudland three weeks ago at 1200m in Benchmark 88 grade. Drawn softer, down in grade and could be the knockout horse. Can’t leave 5. Little Cointreau out on the score of his remarkable five straight seconds.

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

Race of the day. 7. The Black Cloud is at something of a crossroad given she hasn’t won for a year but she hasn’t been far off a win either. She’s had a win snatched from her late in both runs this time in so she’s racing in good form and just needs something to go her way. She’s drawn ideally to just track the speed here and if that’s the edge required then she’ll have every hope.

Dangers: 10. Lulumon will be the late closer as was the case when she won a similar race over 1000m a month ago. Found herself out of play with the big weight last time out but still attacked the line to run third. Handles all conditions and is a major player. 1. Storm The Ramparts can’t be faulted for his preparation with three wins and three seconds from six runs. Just outpointed late last week. Back in grade, any rain is in his favour, and can’t leave him out. 13. Tarpaulin started odds-on against Storm The Ramparts first-up and you’d have to say he didn’t help himself by refusing to settle in the run. He loomed as if he was going to charge past them then stopped as quickly. Freshened and trialled since, the inside barrier might be huge for him and if it does rain a bit he likes it wet.

How to play it: The Black Cloud EACH-WAY ($6.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

15. Zouripper is an excellent each-way chance as he comes off a complete forgive run when favourite in a Midway three weeks ago at Rosehill. He found himself out the back and while he ran home in the race’s fastest last 600m it was just an impossible task the way the race was run. Fnished alongside Iron Man who last week was just beaten in Benchmark 78 grade so it’s a handy form reference. He was dynamic winning first-up and have to give him another shot.

Dangers: 10. Rantan was a hidden run when beaten under two lengths by King’s Secret two weeks ago. She went for an inside run early in the straight that closed and climbed over their backs before getting out and charging home late. She’s handy on her day but hasn’t had the luck this time in. Keep safe. 5. Livin’ Thing disappointed a little in that King’s Secret race and the blinkers going on entitled him to consideration. His form prior was sound and drawn soft. 3. Cassiel sat three wide on the speed when run down by Bundeena two weeks ago in a brave performance. Whether the wide barrier is a plus or minus is unclear as yet but he’ll roll forward and if he lands in front can take running down.

How to play it: Zouripper EACH-WAY ($13 TAB Fixed Odds).

It was the wrong day for 6. Puntin to step away just a shade slowly last time as he found himself back and having to improve through the race and handed control to Oh Diamond Lil up front. He kept up the chase right to the line and while beaten he showed he’s a horse with some upside. More upside than most of his rivals in this race and he may just be able to dictate them too. Either way he’s clearly on top.

Dangers: 5. Travolta was midfield in the same race, boxing on fairly while looking for more ground which he gets here with an extra 200m. Draw swings back in his favour so he should be a little closer and he’s the other lightly raced type who could take more steps. 7. Pure Alpha has to go in the mix on the score of his consistent form though it is now over a year since his last win. Nudged out at Rosehill last time and sure to run well. 2. Vega Magnifico hit the line with purpose to run third in the same race as Punting in a promising return. He’s not often put two together so that’s his task, if he does repeat then he’s in the finish somewhere.

How to play it: Puntin WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

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