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By Ray Hickson

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 9 # 16 – SALTCOATS

He might be trained at Rosehill but this gelding’s best efforts in Australia have come at Randwick where he’s won two from three, including one over the 1800m. Both runs back have been handy and he hit the line nicely from back in the field in the Winter Challenge, a race dominated by the first two home up on the speed, into third place over the 1500m. Ready for the step up in distance, while he hasn’t seen a heavy track in this country he had no trouble with it in New Zealand and he does appear well placed to go close.

Trainer Matthew Dale (Pic: Grant Guy)

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 2 # 1 – DUKE OF BRONTE

A big weight and the outside barrier aren’t reasons to think this Matt Dale trained gelding can’t take some beating back in TAB Highway company. He improved on his first-up run to be narrowly denied by Regimental Colours over 1100m at Benchmark 72 level two weeks ago on a track a lot worse than the rating suggested. The 1000m start at Randwick is kind to wide alleys, especially if you’re a go forward horse which he very much is. He just needs to get the start right and get into a rhythm on speed and he should be in the finish.

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 10 # 6 – GLAD YOU THINK SO

It was quite a performance from this Group 1 placed gelding in taking out a Midway over the Randwick mile two weeks ago. He’s run clearly the fastest last 600m of the race with Punter's Intelligence recording him at 36.14, which was some four lengths faster than any other in the race and he was the only horse to break 13 seconds for the last 200m in 12.38. Stays at the mile, heavy track suits and he’s already been competitive in Benchmark 78 grade this time in. Everything points to him running well again.

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 1 # 12 – MISS FLEETWOOD

Very interested to see what this well bred filly does first-up from a spell into her second preparation. She was a late scratching at her scheduled debut in the race won by Wodeton back in January, and was in the market, then a week later she was again in the market but pulled up sore and required a bone chip to be removed from a knee. She has trialled twice this preparation and prior to her debut won a trial impressively on a heavy track. Back to a maiden, don’t mind her drawn off a bit, she should be competitive.

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