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By Nick Berney

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 10 # 6 – KIBOU

Profiles well for this event, and he has a positive race setup. The gelding, who resumes, has had two trials leading into this event and is a proven fresh performer. First-up last campaign, he was outstanding in defeat in a high-rating race, and his effort was full of merit. He led at a genuine tempo, travelled in the inferior ground and then sprinted hard but was just pipped on the line by Iowna Merc. Additionally, there was a significant margin to third to confirm the quality of the race. The Waterhouse & Bott galloper will only have to repeat that performance/figure and will be hard to run down from the inside draw.

Protagonist (Pic: Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 5 # 7 – PROTAGONIST

Started favourite in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury, and he was honest when running second. Moreover, the figure he produced suggests he has come back improved in his second OZ prep, and he has set a solid platform to step off. Last campaign, the gelding started in the market in feature races such as the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) but failed due to heavy tracks. He's had a tick-over trial between runs, produces all his peak figures on dry ground and drops 4kg off that return run. Over the odds.

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 8 # 5 – IN SECRET

Has returned well, and her first-up effort in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes over 1000m had sectional merit. The Godolphin galloper had to carry 58.5kg under the race conditions and was slightly outpaced up-tempo, but she built through her gears and savaged the line. Punter's Intelligence recorded she ran the fastest final 200m split of the meeting in 11.11, and her sectional profile suggests she can only improve off that effort. The Group 1 winning mare has a positive setup and, with even luck, expect her to use her sharp turn of foot to sprint away from her rivals when produced.

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 5 # 7 – LEFT FIELD

Is short odds but brings a dominant ratings profile to this event and has solid form lines. The filly was honest on debut last prep when running fourth behind the likes of Kimochi and Kristilli in a high-rating race. Second-up, she had too much to do and stormed home running the fastest final 200m split of the day at Warwick Farm. After two impressive trials, the three-year-old resumes here, and she looks wound up for this. In addition, the 1250m first-up on a big track is an ideal way to kick off her campaign and break through for her maiden.

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