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ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 9 # 5 – HEDGED

There were a couple of schools of thought going into his first-up run at Kembla Grange, that 1000m would be too sharp for him and the other that he’d still be good enough to overcome it. As it turned out perhaps it was too sharp but the race was also run on quite a fast track and he was beaten by a couple of 1000m specialists. So to be beaten a length the run had plenty of merit. He’ll be fitter and steps to 1200m which will be much more in his comfort zone and he has the bonus of barrier one. It doesn’t look to be a fast run race on paper and he’ll get his chance to stalk and sprint over the top.

ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST VALUE: Race 4 # 1 – PERFECT THOUGHT

It’s been over two years since his last win, the Group 3 Carbine Club in Melbourne in 2022, and he’s only recorded one placing – a Queensland Guineas second in 2023 – but this is the easiest race he’s contested since then. He resumed in a Benchmark 94 at Newcastle which was won by Uzziah leading all the way on a day it was tough to make ground and be in the finish. He boxed on well to finish fourth there and he always takes improvement from a run. His zero from six first-up stats show that. Up 100m is a plus and right back to a Benchmark 78 is another, he comes down to 59.5kg after the claim and he’s drawn to get a great run. If he’s going to fire this is a great scenario.

Tavi Time (Pic: Bradley Photos)

ROYAL RANDWICK – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 6 # 3 – TAVI TIME

There might have been a small excuse for his defeat at Kembla Grange three weeks ago but there was nothing wrong with the way he found the line. On a day fast times were the norm, he found himself shuffled back into the second half of the field which made his job of running down the leaders that much harder. It was a track record for the 1600m so for Punter’s Intelligence to show him produce the fastest last 600m of the race (35.06) and the second fastest last 200m of 12.09 says he’s still run a big race. An extra 200m shouldn’t be an issue for him and he’ll carry the same weight. This is a big chance for him to put another win on the board

NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 5 # 7 – STARDEEL

A bit was expected of this son of Dundeel on debut as he was sent out a $1.85 favourite back in June. He led that day and was run down on a soft 7 track, though only beaten three-quarters of a length. It’s interesting to note that in his two trials Bjorn Baker has had him ridden off the speed and he’s reacted by brushing home quite nicely to win both hitouts leading into a first-up run. With a 3kg claim for apprentice Olivia Chambers and barrier five he’ll have the chance to find some cover and reproduce what he’s done at the trials on race day.

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