Royal Randwick will play host to a quality 10-race card on Saturday to compliment a huge day of racing around the country.
The December Handicap is the main event on the program, and our best bets for the entire day can be found below!
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: National Jockey’s Trust Handicap (1200m) – 11:20am
Tip: No. 3 Man in the Mirror
Several of these two-year-olds are eying a start in the Magic Millions next year, but that doesn’t make it an easy race to try and line up.
Jammara is the only runner with a win on the board as he returns on the quick backup following last week’s strong finish at Bendigo over shorter. He’s drawn wide, but there’s nothing to suggest he can’t go on with it.
Himalism was set to debut last week but was scratched due to the weather. His trial performances read well and he’s already been well-supported.
The same can be said for Man in the Mirror, who won his trial at Rosehill well on Tuesday.
He’s set to get the gun run from barrier 3 and Kerrin McEvoy is definitely the right man for the job.
Race 2: ATC Thanks John Williams Handicap (1400m) – 12:00pm
Tip: No. 5 Starman
This isn’t a race I’m overly keen to involve myself with, but it could still be a good one with Starman and Sacrimony clashing again.
The former punched clear late to win at Rosehill a fortnight ago, and I’m happy to stick with him given his fitness upside.
No knock on Sacrimony, especially since he’s better off at the weights, but if James McDonald can stalk the speed and produce Starman late, I think they’ll prove too good.
Race 3: Class 2 Handicap (1400m) – 12:40pm
Tip: No. 4 King’s Trust
Absolute dart board this one with a case to be made for most.
King’s Trust has made only the one start over 1400m previously, but he should take plenty of improvement away from his narrow runner-up performance at Rosehill last time out.
Tommy Berry did all the hard work that day and looked the winner over the final furlong, only to be nabbed late by Testator Silens not far out from the post.
He has work to do from the gate, but with Berry back in the saddle and a drier surface under foot, he’s a very live chance.
Race 4: Midway Handicap (1200m) – 1:15pm
Tip: No. 4 Queen Bellissimo
Siding with the favourite Queen Bellissimo, who’s been holding her ground nicely around this grade recently.
Brad Widdup’s mare resumed at Kembla Grange last month a comfortable 1.5L winner over the same trip, before journeying to Rosehill to run a narrow third to El Buena on a firmer surface.
She’s clearly got a bright future ahead of her, and if she’s ridden forward under Alysha Collett, she’s probably going to put most of these away.
Race 5: Precise Air Handicap (2000m) – 1:15pm
Tip: No. 3 Huetor
Huetor is a very consistent gelding that is yet to run a bad race since making the journey to Australia.
The Snowden-trained French import debuted at Newcastle last month where he won at $19, before making up a stack of late ground at Rosehill two weeks ago to make it a double.
The turn of foot he’s shown so far is impressive to say the least, and with a couple of kg’s off under Kerrin McEvoy, he might just make it three on the trot.
Race 6: UNSW Handicap (1400m) – 2:25pm
Tip: No. 3 Saigon
She’d probably appreciate a little sting out of the track, but this still looks a good race for Saigon to improve on her runner-up performance when fresh at Rosehill two weeks ago.
The I Am Invincible mare stormed home after missing the start, and now gets James McDonald back on board looking to go one better.
She’s proven over 1400m with two wins and two placings on the board, while she’s also drawn to get a nice run in behind the speed. Look for her late.
Race 7: Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap (1600m) – 3:00pm
Tip: No. 3 Canasta
Canasta was only plain in the finish at Rosehill two weeks ago, but fitter third-up, he goes on top for mine.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding is stepping back in grade coming off that effort, and I think it might have just been the run he needed before getting out over further.
He’ll likely push forward and attempt to lead, and with very little opposing speed on paper, he might just go all the way for Rachel King.
Race 8: ACY Securitiies Handicap (1400m) – 3:40pm
Tip: No. 4 Tricky Gal
Tricky Gal returns from a three-week freshen-up and should take beating dropping back in grade.
Matthew Smith’s mare was last seen running second-last in a Group 3 at Caulfield last month over the mile, a run I think she can be forgiven on after never finding much room until it was too late.
She’s back in trip, has raced well at Randwick in the past, and should be rock-hard fit now at this stage of her campaign.
Race 9: Fujitsu General Handicap (1200m) – 4:20pm
Tip: No. 2 Poetic Charmer
Taking a throw at the stumps with Poetic Charmer, who returns to the scene following a fairly mixed prep last time in.
The son of Your Song failed to produce fresh in the Ramornie at Grafton back in July, but he does tend to his best racing first-up from a spell.
He’s had only the one trial in between runs and appeared in good order when fourth at Randwick. 1200m is his go-to and his best is good enough to win a race like this.
Race 10: Schweppes Sprint (1000m) – 4:55pm
Tip: No. 3 The Bopper
The Bopper returns to the races for the first time since February on Saturday.
He was last seen running fourth in the Inglish Dash at Flemington over 1100m after maybe being a little too keen early.
His temperament has often been what gets him in trouble, but if Hugh Bowman can make full use of the inside draw and get him to settle in the run, this looks a very winnable race for the Kris Lees-trained gelding.
