Black type preview: Randwick & Hawke’s Bay

Rock hard to roll

Randwick, G1 TAB Epsom H., $1,000,000, 1600m

Rock (Pierro) is a progressive 4-year-old and he looked every inch a Group 1 winner in waiting with his victory in the G3 Cameron H. last time out.

The Team Hawkes representative had the toughest run in the race and still won comfortably, he's fourth from eight appearances, and while this is an obvious step up he looks equal to the challenge.

Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) ran particularly well in his Australian debut to finish runner-up in the G2 Tramway S. and drops 2.5kg. He has drawn wide, but tends to get back in his races so that may not inconvenience him too much.

Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) won the G3 Bill Ritchie H. in the style of a horse who can make his mark in stronger company. There’s certainly a sense of timing about him and he’s in with an ideal weight.

The recent form of stablemate Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) is patchy, but if she found her best she would be a genuine chance, while Gem Song (Your Song) is on the quick back-up and has been effective with that approach before.

Nettoyer (Sebring) didn’t have the best of runs when third in the Cameron and she’s a blow-out chance here. Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) is a freegoer, but faced with a daunting task from the widest gate.

Mile gives Kiwi her chance

Randwick, G1 Darley Flight S., $500,000, 1600m

The main protagonists in the G2 Tea Rose S. again look likely to dominate the finish, although the mile might be enough to swap the placings.

Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) narrowly held the late charge of Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) at bay to take the honours in their first meeting, but the extra distance might favour the latter this time.

The New Zealand-trained filly possesses a powerful finishing burst and her customary style of getting back in her races will be aided by the small field.

Like Probabeel, Funstar will be third-up this time so should be at the very top of her game and is a high quality individual sure to be hard to beat.

The remaining runners look to be squaring off for place money with Girls Are Ready (Better Than Ready) in good touch for the challenge. She won a soft race at Canberra last time out, but did carry 58kg so it was a fair effort.

Foxborough (Dissident) and Our Girl Sniti (Snitzel) have yet to break their maidens and are remote chances to do so here while St Covet’s Spirit (Uncle Mo {USA}) beat one home in the Tea Rose so a minor berth is the most she can hope for.

Wu Gok in top form

Randwick, G1 Heineken 3 The Metropolitan H., $750,000, 2400m

In a wide open affair, Wu Gok (Sebring) will chase a hat-trick of victories and is effective on all types of going, and has been successful at this distance.

A number of lightweights are worthy of serious consideration and among them is last season’s G1 Australian Oaks runner-up Scarlet Dream (Sebring). She has two runs under her belt and makes each-way appeal.

The G2 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is now up to a trip that should see him more competitive while Stampede (High Chaparral {Ire}) won the G3 Colin Stephen Quality with ease and drops 4.5kg.

Grey Lion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) finished in behind the placegetters in the G3 Kingstown Town S. and this trip suits them much better.

Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) landed the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup last time out at the expense of Attention Run (Ger) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), but the latter is better off in the handicap this time around.

Everest hope fancied

Randwick, G2 Bisley Workwear Premiere S., $500,000, 1200m

Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) was outstanding in his seasonal debut with a grand effort to finish runner-up to the match fit Pierata (Pierro) in the G2 Shorts.

He can’t do anything but improve and he looks a gilt-edged chance to take this out and further press his claims for the $14 million The TAB Everest.

Multiple Group 1 placegetter Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}) is as consistent as they come and he has a trial under his belt to ready him for this. He has also won three of his four first-up runs.

Graff (Star Witness) has been close up against the best of competition in both of his outings and it’s hard to see him not making his presence felt again. The reappearance of Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) adds extra intrigue. He has won fresh and has a good record at this trip so he’s another to be taken seriously.

Trip in mare’s favour

Randwick, G2 Hill S., $500,000, 2000m

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) was much better at her last start when fourth in the G1 George Main S. and she’s much better-suited to the 2000 metre distance.

Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}) has a similar profile as does Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and it will be disappointing if they don’t prove to be much more competitive here.

Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt) looks the other realistic winning chance after a pair of Group victories this preparation. His front-running tactics weren’t effective in the George Main, but he is a winner over this trip and if he can pinch a couple of soft sectionals he’ll be a threat.

Tally (Street Cry {Ire}) is a warrior and wasn’t far off Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) when resuming in the G3 Bill Ritchie H. He does face a sharp rise in distance, but it’s one he is familiar with and has been successful at.

Rose to bloom

Randwick, G3 Keeneland Gimcrack S., $160,000, 1000m

Every Rose (Choisir) drew attention to her prospects with a smart display to win at the trials, while Fall On A Star (Zoustar) was also impressive.

Rose Sauvage (Outreach) sat wide in her trial and wasn’t pushed out to finish third and Tim Clark sticks with her. Stella Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) is the most expensive yearling in the line-up, costing $875,000 and was encouraging when a close second.

Ticket To Ride (Vancouver) won that heat so her chances must be taken seriously and in behind her was Every Rose’s stablemate Ashra Jahre (Headwater).

Expensive colt to shine

Randwick, G3, Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate, $160,000, 1000m

Barbaric (I Am Invincible) was sold as a yearling for $900,000 and was a winner for Peter and Paul Snowden at the trials under Tommy Berry, who takes the ride again.

Circularity (Time For War) finished runner-up in that heat to boost his prospects, while stablemate Gamboa (Not A Single Doubt) is also a trial placegetter.

Belieber (Zoustar) looked a ready-made 2-year-old with a slick display to win his heat and Globe Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) is another to have been successful at the trials and, like most in this line-up, will improve for the experience.

Series at Melody’s mercy

Hawke’s Bay, G1 Livamol Classic, NZ$250,000, 2040m

History beckons Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) as she attempts a clean sweep of the Triple Crown series and it certainly does look hers for the taking. It’s far from a stellar edition of the race and with a perfect draw she looks destined to once again show her weight-for-age superiority.

Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) has only won two races, but one of them was at stakes level and he has been Group 1 placed. He is a talented individual and a strong place chance. His G1 New Zealand Derby-winning stablemate Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) is up to a trip where you would expect improvement.

Mongolian Marshal (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was a solid third in the G1 Windsor Park Plate and a similar effort would make his a place chance again.

Athena Baby (NZ) (Swiss Ace) is racing consistently and is a middle distance winner. If left on her own front, she could get a minor slice of the cheque.

Catalyst to fire up

Hawke’s Bay, G2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas, NZ$100,000, 1400m

Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has been untested in two appearances this season and if he brings that form to the table he’ll be awfully hard to roll.

Exuberant (NZ) (Savabeel) chased him home at Ruakaka at their last meeting so he is a major quinella player, while Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) was unlucky not to have finished closer in the G3 Cambridge Breeders’ S., and the outing will have improved him.

Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) has done nothing wrong in a brief career and his win on the middle day of the carnival suggests he won’t be out of place in stakes company. Riva Capri (NZ) (Atlante) was denied any room in the G3 Gold Trail S. so her chances are better assessed on her previous black type success.

Magnum makes sense

Hawke’s Bay, G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint, NZ$70,000, 1400m

Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) resumed with a solid effort for third at Ruakaka and he’s got an admirable second-up record. If he gets some luck from a wide gate he can be a handful.

Last season’s G1 NZ 2000 Guineas runner-up Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) is in good touch and well-seasoned and a genuine clip will increase the chances of the consistent Hangar (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

True Enough (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}) made good progress last season and has looked sharp at the trials ahead of his return. Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is another fresh runner and he’s been in the money in eight of his 10 first-up appearances.