Pascal offerings – Sal’s Tips for Royal Randwick and Caulfield

Greetings All,

 

Another quiet week on the sports front just not sure what the NRL are doing, would be surprised if they make the 29^th of May.  Not unusual for V’Landys to go off the program though!

 

A few winners littered among last week’s selection, hope you picked the right ones.  Nature Strip was outstanding in the TJ.  Tripods in the Melbourne and Sydney quaddies, but managed to nail it in Adelaide to get the day back in the black.

 

This week we have Day 2 of The Championships where I think the favourites have most appeal in the major events.  Easter used to mean Oakbank is SA but that changed now to a regular meeting so we might give it a miss this week, we do have strong and competitive program at Caulfield where finding a winner will be tough but the value will look after itself.

 

Royal Randwick

 

A wet Good Friday will provide a soft track at best, however it could improve through the day with a bit of sunshine and wind in the forecast.  Nothing really to fancy in the opening three races at a push Untamed (R1, #2), Hilo (R2, #2) and no idea in the 3^rd.  In the next Away Game (R4, #2) comes off 2^nd placing the Slipper which is great form, but if you don’t like the shorts there are a couple of others to consider.  Dame Giselle (R4, #1) and Muntaseera (R4, #4) were in great form before the Slipper, take their last start away and they would be shorter in the market.  The other is Swats That (R4, #5) brilliant debut win at Bendigo now being sent straight to Sydney.  Ripper race!  Another good contest in the next, the two duck eggs does not inspire much confidence in Anaheed (R5, #10).  She comes back against her own age group is 3 from 5 at Randwick and can handle the conditions.  Splintex (R5, #3) looks overs for a horse that has only missed a place once.

 

Race 6 – Australian Oaks (G1, 2400m, 3yo Fillies SW)

 

It has all happened pretty quickly for Collette (4), has won her last three and could not have been more impressive in the Adrian Knox.  Probabeel (1) could not catch Shout The Bar (2) in the Vinery who was able to set a farcical speed and impossible for the chasers.  Toffee Tongue (7) was the best of the rest against Collette (4) and is bred to stay the 2400 and reckon Nudge (3) could have got past winner of the Vinery with more tempo.  Have not got the Shout The Bar (2) in the picks, but if she gets her own way again it would not shock.

 

Selections – 4-1-7-3

 

Race 7 – Sydney Cup (G1, 3200m, HCP)

 

A pretty average field makes Young Rascal (2) stand out here lightly raced with a strike rate over 50%, proven on slow ground and gets 3kg relief after a tough win in the Manion.  Winning form is good form and there are not many in this lot, so Raheen House (4) and Corncrake (13) go in for the next picks.  Yogi (8) will fall out of the barrier but be finishing well and could scrape a place, while Mustajeer (1) comes off a good run in the Tancred.

 

Selections – 2-4-13-1

 

Race 8 – The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2000m, WFA)

 

A great and intriguing contest.  The Japanese raider Danon Premium (1) has a 60% strike rate and on a good track would be a clear top pick, the rain might just get us a better price.  The mares Verry Elleegant (12) and Melody Belle (13) are also in great form and must figure in the chances.  Addeybb (2) beat Verry Elleegant (12) in the Ranvet which is also great form.  The two stayers who could figure in the finish are Master of Wine (10) and the Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare (5).  Great race!

 

Race 9 – Legacy Stakes (G1, 1600m, Fillies and Mares WFA)

 

Can Nettoyer (2) blow us out again?  Probably need here in the quaddie numbers, however expect Funstar (17) to get back on the winners list.  Back to 1600 and never missed the quinella at Randwick.  If she doesn’t win then this is a tough affair.  Amani Girl (13) should be primed 2^nd up, Noire (8) is very consistent while Miss Siska (4) has been winning WFA events in open company.  Interestingly Spanish Reef (12) was a dual acceptor and the stable has chosen to run here, she is a very consistent galloper.

 

Selections – 17-13-8-4

 

The program closes with an absolute raffle, like all of GSOB’s entries here with Manicure (R10, #9) the most appealing.

 

Caulfield

 

The Easter program has large and competitive fields.  Good luck with the 2yo in the first, D’Arbanville (R1, #3) without any conviction.  Might be better just to finish your lunch.  Prophet’s Thumb (R2, #2) is a ripper, second up but does have some weight to contend with.  Heirborn (R3, #2) was competing with the best in spring but comes off a poor run, the eyecatcher in that race was Zousonic (R3, #5).  Leiter (R4, #10) is pretty consistent, if Sagarra (R4, #17) gets a run is a chance at odds.  Like Relucent (R5, #2) to win the Galilee final.

 

Tough start to the quaddie, top pick Vinland (R6, #4) but will need plenty more.  A great renewal of the Easter Cup Salsamor (R7, #9) going for 5 in row is a chance, 7, 8 and 10 also among the hopes.  Wild Planet (R8, #5) is in good form but has not won at Caulfield, reckon Bam’s On Fire (R8, #12) is a chance to knock him over.  Hopefully we are in front by the time the last comes up, Fidelia (R9, #9) has been a costly conveyance but ponying up one more time here.  Dual acceptor and chose Melbourne, like the engagement of B Prebble.

 

Quaddies

 

Sydney is really tough once we go away from the favourites with such an open final leg.  So we are going to go with  the favourite to win the cup and then broaden the horizons, perhaps a second quaddie with Funstar one out also.

 

Sydney – Q1

 

Leg 1 – 2

Leg 2 – 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13

Leg 3 – 2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 17

Leg 4 – 1, 3, 7, 9, 13

 

Sydney – Q1

 

Leg 1 – 2

Leg 2 – 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13

Leg 3 – 17

Leg 4 – 1, 3, 7, 9, 13

 

Melbourne is not much easier and we will skinny up the last leg hoping we are alive!

 

Melbourne

 

Leg 1 – 1, 2, 4, 7, 12, 15

Leg 2 – 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3 – 3, 4, 5, 8, 12

Leg 4 – 8, 10

 

Happy Easter, stay safe and good luck!

 

Cheers, Sal

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you really enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE