THIS WEEKEND IN RACING
It’s been a busy week for owners in The Racing League, with three runners so far and Yulong Captain still to come for the Vic Husslers in the Hamilton Cup on Saturday…how exciting! A quick recap of TRL runners, The Big Goodbye was another gallant second at Doomben shooting the Qld Rogues to the top of The Racing League Ladder. Bellinger made the Vic Husslers proud with a strong finishing fifth on an unsuitable soft track at Sale. The Sherpa coming off a last start win never looked comfortable on a shifting surface at Muswellbrook. Now let’s try and find some winners from our TRL trainers for a big Saturday of racing at Randwick, Caulfield and Eagle Farm.
CUMANI EXCITED ABOUT YULONG CAPTAIN
There’s no hiding the excitement from trainer Matt Cumani as Yulong Captain makes his debut for the Vic Husslers in the Hamilton Cup. Yulong Captain has pleased Matt with his work so far and is coming off a last start win seven weeks ago over 2400 metres so fitness shouldn’t be a problem, he also has a win on a heavy surface to his credit which might come in handy with Hamilton currently rated a soft 7. Cumani expects him to “go close” and hopefully progress to the 2800m race on Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
BET: Yulong Captain – Each Way (Hamilton Race 7)
MICK PRICE TO STAR ON HOME TRACK
Everyone likes a home ground advantage and Vic Husslers trainer Mick Price is no different. Price and co-trainer Michael Kent junior head to Caulfield with two short priced favourites that should be winning, Lombardo (Race 3) and I’m Thunderstruck (Race 9). Lombardo is up in grade but coming off back to back wins, he should go to the front and improve his position. I’m Thunderstruck, is coming off a fast finishing third in the Group 1 Rupert Clarke, he gets a good advantage over Sierra Sue in the weights and looks to be something special.
BET: Lombardo – Win (Caulfield Race 3 )
BET: I’m Thunderstruck – Each Way (Caulfield Race 9)
THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MAHER/EUSTACE TEAM
The Ciaron Maher/Dave Eustace training combo are “low level flying” and set for a massive day across the Eastern Seaboard. At Caulfield, Crystal Bound (Race 4) showed remarkable tenacity to win first-up and is an outstanding three-year-old filly. Bella Nipotina (Race 5) was badly blocked for a run last start but once clear gave them windburn and from barrier 3 should get a sweet passage. The stable has two runners in (Race 10) at Caulfield but I like the outsider Tooradin $9 over the more fancied Floating Artist $2.80. Tooradin has proved at his last two wins that he loves a fight.
BET: Crystal Bound – Each Way (Melb Race 4)
BET: Bella Nipotina – Each Way (Melb Race 5)
BET: Tooradin – Each Way (Melb Race 10)
KIM READY TO GO TO WAUGH
There’s some great reports coming out of Kim Waugh’s Wyong stable regarding the progression of the NSW Tycoon’s Star Turn gelding, but more on that later. Kim saddles up two fancied runners at Randwick on Saturday, last start winner Different Strokes (Race 2) and stable favourite Great News (Race 9). Different Strokes has had a couple of wins at Wyong, comes to town and gets the services of Hughie Bowman, I’m happy to stick. Great News, has had 13 career starts and never missed a place, she can win this.
Bet: Different Strokes – Win (Randwick Race 2)
Bet: Great News – Each Way (Randwick Race 9)
FREEDMAN BROTHERS WILL TRAVEL
Travel restrictions during Covid have kept Michael and Richard Freedman in Sydney, but their horses continue to travel with great success. Tiger of Malay (Race 8) heads to the Caulfield Guineas and despite an outstanding record seems to sneak under the radar. He’ll make his own luck up front and be hard to rundown. Back at Randwick, we’ll have to be patient and finish the day with a bang courtesy of On The Lead (Race 10). He’s been gelded and with two runs under his belt is fully fit and ready to win.
BET: Tiger of Malay – Each Way (Melb Race 8)
BET: On The Lead – Win (Syd Race 10)
ANOTHER STRONG HAND FOR ROB HEATHCOTE
Qld Rogues trainer Rob Heathcote has a stable that is firing on all cylinders and he’s set to continue the run at Eagle Farm this Saturday. Aswaat (Race 5) is in career best form and as the old adage says “mares in form, stay in form”. Rob’s got two runners in Race 6, but I like the outsider of the pair Alpendurada. He was only fifth first-up but was okay, he’ll strip fitter and at the odds looks like a good play. Emerald Kingdom (Race 7) won a Deagon trial on Tuesday like a champion, he’ll go forward and be very hard to get passed.
BET: Aswaat – Each Way (Bris Race 5)
BET: Alpendurada – Each Way (Bris Race 6)
BET: Emerald Kingdom – Each Way (Bris Race 7)
GOLLAN FROM START TO FINISH
We are backing Queensland Rogues trainer Tony Gollan to bookend the Eagle Farm meeting.
The speedmap looks pretty good for Shamaton (Race 1). From a nice draw he can settle behind the leaders and should be powering home late.
Ingear (Race 9) has drawn a good gate and should be able to lead, if left alone in front will take a power of beating.
BET: Shamaton – Win (Bris Race 1)
BET: Ingear – Win (Bris Race 9)